RÍOS


River Restoration for Climate Change Adaptation

The Project

River Restoration for Climate Change Adaptation (RÍOS) seeks to increase the adaptive capacity of people and ecosystems in watersheds vulnerable to climate change through river restoration.

Context

RÍOS is the first project submitted by Mexico to the Green Climate Fund (GCF). It is financially supported by a GCF grant and complementary funding from the CONECTA project, financed by the Global Environment Facility (GEF). The five-year project (2021-2026) is being implemented by FMCN, with technical leadership from the National Institute of Ecology and Climate Change (INECC, acronym in Spanish) and two regional funds as executing entities: Gulf of Mexico Fund (Fondo Golfo de México, A.C.) in Veracruz; FONNOR, A.C. (the Northwestern Fund) in Jalisco.

FMCN is the first National Accredited Agency in Mexico by the GCF. In November 2019, we developed the first concept note for the project, which was approved by GCF, and in 2020, we developed the full proposal in partnership with INECC and the two regional funds. The proposal received the No Objection from the Government of Mexico (through the Ministry of Finance and Public Credit) in October 2020 and was approved by the GCF Board in March 2021. The project received the declaration of effectiveness in August 2021 and the first deposit in October 2021.

The lines of work (components) that guide RÍOS’s actions are:

  1. Increase forest and water connectivity with a vision of adaptation to climate change through restoration, conservation, and better productive practices. This component strengthens the capacities of local communities along the Ameca-Mascota watersheds in Jalisco and Jamapa in Veracruz to carry out activities that promote ecosystem-based adaptation through functional river connectivity. INECC has identified actions needed to reduce vulnerability to climate change through Integrated Watershed Action Plans (IWAP) built with local stakeholders. This component is implemented through subprojects financed with GCF resources and executed by selected local organizations to work with producers in the field and increase their capacities in the rehabilitation and restoration of forests along rivers; protection and conservation of forests; as well as the adaptation of productive activities that promote connectivity for restoration (agroforestry and sustainable livestock management). These subprojects comprise a portfolio of four types of schemes depending on the nature and objective of the activity: grants through request for proposals, pay for performance public-private payment for ecological services (PES), and enterprise development and access to credit. The project increases local monitoring capacities to assess and reduce vulnerability to climate change. RÍOS adapts existing methodologies to assess the vulnerability of communities in the project watersheds on an ongoing basis and to monitor the provision of ecosystem services (biodiversity, soil, and water quality). It provides subprojects with technologies and assistance to understand vulnerability and monitor project benefits and co-benefits. The project also has a "learning community" to exchange local experiences among beneficiaries and collaborate with national and regional actors to coordinate activities and achieve watershed connectivity.
  2. Aligning public and private investments through natural capital valuation to scale river restoration for climate change adaptation. The project implements coordination activities to align public and private contributions to scale up best practices. This is achieved through the alignment of local and national public programs related to restoration and adaptation, linking national opportunities with local needs. The project also contributes to an enabling environment for accessing dedicated lines of credit for sustainable and climate-resilient productive practices in livestock and agroforestry systems through enhancement and development.
  3. Design the guidelines of the National River Restoration Strategy (ENRR, acronym in Spanish) for climate change adaptation. Under the leadership of INECC, this component supports the design of the ENRR to strengthen climate change adaptation. It identifies relevant stakeholders for the design; establishes a Design Committee and its institutional arrangements; incorporates lessons learned from the intermediate results of components 1 and 2; develops workshops to define objectives, scope and guidelines for the ENRR. This component works with public officials and legislators to define the legal framework within which the ENRR is framed.

RÍOS is the first project submitted by Mexico to the Green Climate Fund (GCF).

Learn more about the Operating Manual

Achievements

In the second half of 2022, in coordination with the Technical Coordinating Unit and the regional funds and with INECC's technical leadership, 13 contracts for subprojects were formalized. Progress was made in defining sites, creating brigades, adjusting methodologies, and purchasing material to carry out community monitoring of biodiversity, soils, water, and vulnerability. Start-up workshops were held in Jalisco and Veracruz, with induction sessions on safeguards and gender. Terms of reference were published for a consulting firm to facilitate the design of the basis for a National Strategy for River Restoration (ENRR).

Learn more about the project in the Operating Manual.

Allies:

Donors:

  • Green Climate Fund
  • Global Environment Facility 

Partners:

  • Instituto Nacional de Ecología y Cambio Climático
  • Fondo Golfo de México, A.C.
  • FONNOR, A.C.
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Environmental and Social Assessment

RÍOS prepared an Environmental and Social Assessment (EAS, acronym in Spanish) as part of the Simplified Approval Process (SAP) submitted to the GCF. 

RÍOS is considered by the GCF to be a Category C project, or minimal to no risk, and therefore has a positive impact on ecosystems, biodiversity, and the livelihoods of the people it benefits.

Click on the button below to learn about the Environmental, Social, and Gender Safeguards that will be used in RÍOS:


Contact

To address any questions, clarifications, suggestions, complaints, or comments related to RÍOS, we provide you with the following means of contact corresponding to the project's Complaints and Inquiries 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 begin?

    RÍOS is implemented in the Ameca-Mascota watersheds in Jalisco and Jamapa in Veracruz. It began in August 2021.

  • 2. How can I access the resource or register for the project?

    The calls for RÍOS subprojects were published in January 2022 and are now closed, so no new calls associated with subprojects will be opened. To learn about the project’s progress and results, we invite you to stay tuned to our website and social networks.

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

    Eligible watersheds were determined in the project design. RÍOS is implemented in the Ameca-Mascota watersheds in Jalisco and Jamapa in Veracruz and is not expected to be extended to other regions.

  • 4. How are vulnerable populations and the gender approach 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. View the Environmental and Social Standards here. 

    RÍOS 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 RÍOS, click here. You can write to info@fmcn.org to find out how your organization can contribute to this project.