CONECTA


Connecting Watershed Health with Sustainable Livestock and Agroforestry Production

The Project

The Connecting Watershed Health with Sustainable Livestock and Agroforestry Production" (CONECTA) project aims to improve integrated landscape management and promote climate-smart production practices in selected watersheds in the states of Chiapas, Chihuahua, Jalisco, and Veracruz. Mexican Fund for the Conservation of Nature (FMCN) is responsible for fiduciary aspects, and the National Institute of Ecology and Climate Change (INECC) is responsible for technical leadership. CONECTA's financing comes from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) through the World Bank and is implemented from 2021 to 2026.

Context

The CONECTA project provides the opportunity to coordinate efforts to face the double challenge of food security in the context of climate change. It has a landscape approach, focusing on watersheds vulnerable to climate change and affected by soil erosion.

The supported actions promote productive and environmental practices to increase the forest area under sustainable landscape management and improve livelihoods, water quality, and biodiversity. In addition, CONECTA promotes the production of food low in greenhouse gas emissions, which contributes to meeting the commitments made by Mexico as one of the signatory countries of the Paris Agreement, simultaneously supporting addressing the great challenge of food security. 

The execution of the five-year project (2021-2026) is in charge of FMCN, which is responsible for fiduciary aspects, and INECC, which is in charge of technical leadership, which forms the CONECTA Technical Committee. The execution has the support of three regional funds: Gulf of Mexico Fund (Fondo Golfo de México, A.C.) in Veracruz; FONNOR (Northwestern and western Fund) in Jalisco; and El Triunfo Conservation Fund (Fondo de Conservación El Triunfo, A.C), in Chiapas. Additionally, nine federal agencies participate in the project through the Coordinating Committee, which seeks to scale the impact of CONECTA through the alignment of both public and private investments.

CONECTA's financing comes from the GEF, through the World Bank, and from complementary sources (GEF co-financing).


The lines of work (components) that guide CONECTA's actions are:

  1. Development and promotion of integrated landscape management. The objective is to promote and implement integrated landscape management practices through (i) developing and improving six integrated landscape management instruments in priority watersheds (Integrated Watershed Action Plans, IWAP) and (ii) implementing these instruments through the coordination of public and private programs for a better alignment of actions and investments at the basin level.
  2. Strengthening business skills for sustainable livestock farming and agroforestry. This component strengthens formal and informal groups of sustainable livestock and agroforestry production to increase their organizational and management capacity.
  3. Conservation, restoration, and implementation of climate-smart practices in livestock and agroforestry landscapes. This component finances subprojects that cover a variety of activities to increase integrated management of the landscapes of the target watersheds.
  4. Project coordination, collaboration, and knowledge management. The project facilitates the exchange of knowledge and experiences between selected watersheds, systematically documenting and sharing good practices and lessons learned with beneficiaries and interested parties, as well as other related initiatives.

CONECTA promotes the connectivity of livestock and agroforestry landscapes in watersheds in Chiapas, Chihuahua, Jalisco and Veracruz.

Learn more about the Operating Manual

Achievements

During the first half of 2024, CONECTA made significant progress in the development of two Action Plans for Integrated Watershed Management (PAMIC, acronym in Spanish), one in the Vallarta region and the other in the Istmo-Costa region of Chiapas. The first plan is expected to be published in virtual format in the second half of 2024, while the drafting of the second plan will also be completed in the same period. Additionally, producer groups adopted best practices on more than 23,000 hectares, strengthening value chains for the production of cattle, milk, and shade-grown coffee.

Similarly, various local organizations advanced the adoption of better management and restoration practices across more than 10,000 hectares, maintaining a community-based monitoring system focused on biodiversity, soil, livestock pastures, and/or water in 11 watersheds. During this semester, over 6,000 people participated in project-related activities, with a notably high inclusion of women (41%)—a result of intentional efforts to make their participation visible and actively involve them in the project's goals and activities.


Learn more about the project in the Operating Manual.

Allies:

Donors:

  • Global Environment Facility
  • World Bank

Partners:

  • National Institute of Ecology and Climate Change
  • Fondo Golfo de México, A. C.
  • FONNOR, A. C.
  • Fondo de Conservación El Triunfo, A. C.
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Environmental and Social Management Framework

CONECTA's Environmental and Social Management Framework (MGAS, acronym in Spanish) establishes, in general terms, the environmental and social guidelines for the project. It is complemented by four annexed documents, which include:

Stakeholder Participation Plan (PPPI, acronym in Spanish); Complaint and Consultation Care Mechanism (MAQC, acronym in Spanish); Procedural Framework for Involuntary Restrictions on Access to the Use of Natural Resources in Protected Areas (MP, acronym in Spanish); Planning Framework for Indigenous Peoples and Afro-Mexican Population (MPPI, acronym in Spanish).

The MGAS, with its appendices and supporting documents (annexes), is aligned with the Environmental and Social Standards of the World Bank's Environmental and Social Framework. As needed or as an opportunity arises, the MGAS will be a living document, subject to continuous review and improvement during the CONECTA implementation period.


Contact

To address any questions, clarifications, suggestions, complaints, or comments related to CONECTA, we provide you with the following means of contact corresponding to the project's Complaint and Consultation Care Mechanism. Your request will be treated with confidentiality, responsibility, and interest by the representatives of the project.

E-mail: denuncia@fmcn.org

Postal address: Francisco Sosa 102. Santa Catarina. Delegación Coyoacan. CDMX. C.P. 04010.

Telephone: 55 5611 9779



FAQ

  • 1. Where is the project implemented, and when did it start?

    CONECTA is implemented in 15 selected watersheds in Chiapas, Chihuahua, Jalisco, and Veracruz. It began in July 2021.

  • 2. How can I access the resource or enroll in the project?

    The call for sub-projects and Local Technical Assistance Providers (PLAT, acronym in Spanish) for CONECTA was published in January 2022 and is now closed, so there will be no new calls for sub-projects and PLAT associated with the project. To learn about the project’s progress and results, we invite you to stay tuned to our website and social media channels.

  • 3. Can the project be implemented in other regions?

    Eligible watersheds were determined in the project design phase. CONECTA is implemented in selected watersheds in Chiapas, Chihuahua, Jalisco, and Veracruz and is not expected to expand to other regions.

  • 4. How are vulnerable populations and the gender perspective integrated?

    The project's environmental and social safeguards and standards are key pillars. From its design, the project has been consulted with the watershed communities, and we have ensured to maximize the environmental and social benefits of the intervention regions. For more information, view the Environmental and Social Standards here.

    CONECTA integrates the gender approach in a cross-cutting manner. We have a gender assessment and a Gender Action Plan for the project, with specific activities, indicators, and a budget. View them here.

  • 5. How can I learn more or support the project?

    To learn more about CONECTA, click here. You can write to info@fmcn.org to find out how your organization can contribute to this project.