Climate Adapted Villages (CAV) is the

Development Funds method for local climate

change adaptation. The method focuses
on building skills and capacity locally, and
assuring that adaptation occurs according
to terms set by local villages, and that the
implementation is sensitive to the needs of the
most vulnerable people of the community. This
report is a review of the method, and shows
how CAV has been implemented in Honduras.

THE DEVELOPMENT FUNDS MODEL FOR

LOCAL CLIMATE ADAPTATION
HONDURAS

Published by The Development Fund Norway 2015

Authors:
Siv Heln Strmland & Rosalba Ortiz, The Development Fund Norway
Harald Herland, Applaus
Translation:
Nadia Falch Bandak, The Development Fund Norway
Photo:
Harald Herland, Applaus
Design and layout:
Jenny Jordahl, Differ Media
Supported by The Norwegian Development Cooperation Agency - Norad
Local organization
Fundacin para la investigacin participativa (FIPAH) -Honduras
The Development Fund Norway/Utviklingsfondet
Mariboes gate 8
0183 Oslo
Tlf: 23 10 96 00
E-mail: post@utviklingsfondet.no
The Development Fund Norway offer support and partnership to local organizations in efforts
to combat poverty and safeguard the environment. Our main goal is to support small scale
farmers in their fight against hunger and poverty. Our programs focus on food security,
climate change adaptation and local organization. The Development Fund Norway is an
independent non-profit organization.
www.utviklingsfondet.no/en
ISBN: 978-82-91923-61-1
ISBN: 978-82-91923-62-8

MERKE
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Tr y k k s a k

CONTENT
CLIMATE ADAPTED VILLAGES ..........................................................................S. 4
CAV IN 1,2,3 .............................................................................................................S. 6
To know ............................................................................................................ s. 8
To do ........................................................................................................ s. 8
To sustain................................................................................................... s. 8
CAV IN PRACTICE .............................................................................................. s. 10
Vulnerability assessment ...........................................................................s. 12
Adaptation plan .................................................................................s. 15
CAV IN HONDURAS ........................................................................................... s. 16
Enforce conservation areas ...................................................................... s. 20
Green warriors ..............................................................................................s. 21
Data collection and mapping .....................................................................s. 22
Bridge builders ............................................................................................. s. 24
Diversity in the fields .................................................................................. s. 28
The youth are committed........................................................................... s. 32
Health is a priority ....................................................................................... s. 34
With the mayor on their side ..................................................................... s. 36
CAV LEARNINGS ............................................................................................. s. 38

CLIMATE ADAPTED
VILLAGES

he rain fails when it is most needed. It

Climate adapted villages (CAV) is the Development

rains too much when there has already

Funds method for local climate adaptation, which

been enough. Temperatures rise, while

has been developed through pilot projects in

plant diseases and pests are on the increase.

Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Nepal, Malawi

Strong storms that destroy roads, bridges

and Ethiopia. The method focuses on building

and crops are becoming more common. The

skills and capacity locally, in order for adaptation

consequences of climate change are not a future

to be based on terms set by the most vulnerable

scenario they are here now-.

in local communities.
When CAV is implemented within a larger

Climate adaptation is all about making choices

territory, as recommend in this report, it contributes

that reduce the negative impacts of a changing

to the conservation of ecosystems by taking

climate. Poverty is one of the factors that make

into consideration impacts on the environment

communities and individuals vulnerable. Through

and natural resources in the area. The method is

adapting to changes in climate, local communities

simple to understand, easy to scale-up, and in the

become more resilient in the face of climate

long-run it can be sustained by the communities

shocks and economic difficulties. That is why

themselves without external support. It has

climate adaptation must take both environmental

already gained acceptance among national

and socioeconomic issues into account, issues

authorities and development agencies in the

that secures development among the poorest.

countries where it has been implemented.

This report is a review of the CAV method and
how it has been implemented in Honduras.

CAV IN 1-2-3

he Climate Adapted Villages model aims

The main focus of the CAV model is promoting a

to make farmers and local communities

collective management of community resources

capable of organizing themselves,

such as forests, water, energy, soils, plants and

identifying climate threats and practicing climate

animal diversity. A key element in CAV is to ensure

smart agriculture, enabling them to adapt to the

that communities themselves participate, and take

current consequences of a changing climate. The

center stage throughout the processes, from the

model focuses on building capacity and expertise

climate vulnerability assessment to the planning

in local communities, so that they can manage

and further implementation of the adaptation plan.

their own recourses and implement measures

for climate change adaptation, in a systematic

The CAV model contains three main stages. The

and effective way. Communities gain a strong

first stage, to know, means to gather knowledge

ownership to the activities, and the method can

and to analyze the problems (climate vulnerability

be transferred of other areas. Many countries

assessment). A second stage, to do, addresses

want to do something on climate adaptation, but

the planning and design of adaptation measures

hesitate to allocate money directly to poor people

and their implementation. The third stage, to

in rural areas. However, more climate adaptation

sustain, addresses sustainability issues, which go

measures should take place where people are the

beyond the project period. It is about maintaining

most vulnerable, i.e among poor people in rural

and securing the projects achievements in the

areas.

long-run.

TO
KNOW

TO DO
TO
SUSTAIN

1. TO KNOW
Knowledge and assessment
The first stage of CAV raises awareness about im-

observed climate hazards and local challenges, and

livelihoods; awareness is raised through gathering

future climate hazards. The analysis is based on local

pacts of global warming on local people and their

at the same time they help to map out scenarios for

information and local knowledge regarding observed

knowledge, experience from similar projects and avail-

changes in local weather. During this stage, a partici-

able scientific reports. When the vulnerability analysis

patory climate vulnerability assessment is carried out;

is carried out, local people are able to identify the main

and it becomes the basis for further planning and im-

climate hazards on their resource base and livelihoods,

plementation of climate adaptation measures. Local

as a basis for knowing how to adapt. The result is doc-

stakeholders participate in the assessment, recording

umented for use in the next stage; To Do.

2. TO DO
Planning and implementation
At this stage, the adaptation plan is prepared. The results

that should be in the adaptation plan, and manages the

become inputs to plan adaptation measures. Communities

experience contributes with advice on how the money

from the climate vulnerability assessment from stage one,

funds. A local organization with financial management

get support in the process of prioritizing the measures

can be managed in a responsible manner. The steering

they want to implement, based on available resources and

committee consists of elected representatives from each

in line with their adaptation priorities. The Development

community involved in CAV. Different interest groups

Fund contributes financially and is facilitating the

should be represented in the steering committee and men

planning process. The community itself, through an

and women are encouraged to participate equally.

elected steering committee, prioritizes the measures

3. TO SUSTAIN
Sustainability of adaptation measures
The Development Fund supports communities in their

stakeholders are able to manage projects in a collec-

goal is to make authorities in the country take direct

financial resources. To ensure that important adaptation

adaptation efforts at the initial phase, but a long term

tive manner, and to make wise and responsible use of

responsibility and continue supporting adaptation

measures do not stop when the funded project period

measures in the long run. Direct financial support to

ends, local politicians and decision makers should get

local groups is essential to strengthen local climate

involved, and make climate adaptation a key economic

knowledge and to implement measures from the

and political priority. At this stage, the sustainability of

adaptation plan. It is also a way to show that local

adaptation measures is seriously tested.

Worst year ever: This year has been the worst ever. First, there was no rain, and most of the corn dried up, then we planted
beans, but we experienced a periode of heavy showers making the beans rot. Now we need to plant other varieties of corn
and beans, which are more resistant; we need to plant fruit trees and vegetables also says Angela Gmez who is a farmer
and a board member of the local cooperative ESMUCOL.

A visionary goal: Our goal is that the climate adapted villages in Santa Cruz become a national project anchored in the
government of Honduras, says Omar Gallardo from FIPAH - Development Funds local partner in Honduras. He has drawn a
map of Santa Cruz micro-watershed, where the local villages have joined through the Steering Committee for the adaptation
plan of Santa Cruz.

CAV IN PRACTICE
A guide to climate adaptation on the ground

10

efore starting a CAV process, partners and local staff

must receive a proper introduction to the CAV method.
Training on climate vulnerability assessment tools is

a prerequesite for achieving a good participatory process.

The Development Fund, together with local partners that
already have relevant experience, facilitates the training on
participatory vulnerability assessments. People from the
affected communities also take part in the training. During
the training sessions, partners and local staff test the
different tools available, and train their skills as facilitators of
participatory processes.

11

CLIMATE VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT

People in rural areas use their own experiences

opportunity to act beyond their own area, and identify

to analyze how changes in local weather could

challenges that are shared across municipalities.

threaten their livelihoods. A local partner, such as a

local NGO or a community-based organization like

Our local partners identify relevant representatives from

the process. This partner has knowledge about local

The Development Fund Norway requires that 50% of

a farmers association or cooperative, facilitates

the local communities participating in the CAV initiative.

power relations and institutions and will select

participants are women. Although women are important

the participants attending all stages of CAV. This

actors in the local economy, their contributions is often

local partner will also facilitate and write down the

underestimated even by women themselves. Therefore,

vulnerability assessment results and the adaptation

it is important to focus on womens needs from the be-

plan. It is essential that the entire process becomes

ginning of the process, and to make sure they are being

participatory; women and men should be repre-

addressed consistently in the design of the adaptation

sented and participate on equal terms. Youth and

plan and in prioritized activities.

local authorities should also be represented. Taking

into account womens needs, and their contribution

The vulnerability assessment

assessment, and for the further design of climate

When members of the group begin to work on the

to local livelihoods is crucial for the vulnerability

adaptation measures.

vulnerability assessment, it is important that the facilitator of the process is a good motivator, in order to en-

The project area and the participants

sure that each participant understands the importance

The scope of the climate vulnerability assessment will

the process. The facilitator should address the issue of

vary depending on the context and area covered. In

some places the geographical project area is limited to

a micro-watershed, in which several villages interact

in the territory. In such cases, representatives from
surrounding villages will participate in the vulnerability

assessment process and further design of the adaptation

plan. When CAV is applied within a natural geographic

boundary, the vulnerability assessment becomes both

more consistent and comprehensive. Natural resources

use, within a micro-watershed, affects the resource
base throughout the whole area, and affects inhabitants

upstream and downstream. When all these villages are

included in the project, it strengthens the possibilities

for cooperation on issues that will affect the whole mi-

cro-watershed, such as quality of and access to water. In

order to achieve long-lasting results, climate adaptation

and purpose of CAV, and values their contribution to

climate change, and ensure that the necessary information is provided, so stakeholders can participate more
actively. Using highly skilled people and reports that

describe the situation in the specific country or region

is crucial for the quality of the climate vulnerability

assessment. If the group is well informed, motivated

and understands their role in the process, the facilitator

can employ diverse vulnerability assessment tools (see

section below) to gather traditional knowledge related

to local climate, and its impacts on peoples living
conditions in the area of analysis. The facilitator should

have sufficient knowledge, both about the methodologies and the topics, so he or she is able to explore
important questions that may arise from groups work
during the vulnerability assessment process.

requires looking beyond village administrative bound-

In order to conduct a good climate vulnerability

among local stakeholder groups within the wider catch-

sessions. Relevant information should be provided to

aries and micro-watershed, facilitating the coordination

ments, municipalities, and markets. Long term climate
adaptation depends on communities working together,

coordinating across cooperatives, and advocating trough

farmers federations. CAV gives communities the

assessment, it is necessary to have at least two full day

participants in each session. It is important that the
same participants are attending all sessions, so the local

partner should ensure that participants do not change

between the first and the second session.

12

WOMEN ARE KEY ACTORS

ural women are key players in social and

implementation of measures and are also involved in

countries, despite the fact that they generally

also get access to available funds, either as individuals,

economic development in most developing

have far less access than men to resources such as land,

capital and technology. Womens role and contribution

to local development is often less visible and not

properly recognized. Identifying womens needs, and

working towards fulfilling them, is an important step

in understanding climate change vulnerability at a
community level.

The Development Fund encourages womens participation, by insisting on involving women in decisionmaking in all steps of the CAV process. Women takes

part in the vulnerability assessment, planning and

sustaining the activities in the long-run. Women should

or as part of larger collective investments, such as local
seed banks. The steering committees governing the

adaptation plans should always consist of about 50%

women. These committees make sure that the activities

are implemented according to plan, and that funds are

efficiently utilized in a transparent way. In most cases
capacity building is needed, especially for women, so

that they can play a key role in the management and

monitoring of the adaptation plan. Those facilitating

the process must ensure that necessary conditions are

in place so women can participate actively in decision-making and not just on paper.

13

Tool box for conducting a Vulnerability

The Vulnerability Report

Assessment

Based on the participatory vulnerability assessment,

CARE International has developed a tool box1 for com-

a vulnerability report is prepared. In preparing the

Fund and partners use several of these tools. Some

whenever possible, to use available statistical and

munity based climate adaptation. The Development

vulnerability assessment report it is recommended,

examples of tools used are the following:

scientific data on the local climate impacts. In most

Vulnerability Matrix: Identification of various

local level, but data at provincial or national level can

over, and access to, key resources. It helps to

and to underpin traditional knowledge and local infor-

threats to ones livelihood, and who has control

also be used in order to understand the wider context,

identify current coping strategies and to explore

mation from the participants.

new ones.

cases, there is little or no scientific data available at

Risk Mapping: Identification of specific areas

Additional data lends more credibility to the vulnerability assessment report. Relevant data can be found

and resources subject to specific risks.

in national action plans for climate adaptation and

Risk Prioritization: The community compares

specific goals for sectors or regions). Data can also be

which hazards have the greatest potential impact

link climate with agriculture, crops, natural resources,

in national climate policies and plans (if they have

different types of climate risks and then decides

found in technical reports, and scientific studies, which

on local livelihoods.

and also those linking climate with poverty issues. The

Seasonal Calendar: Used to assess climate

studies can not necessarily be scaled down to a local

periods where one is particularly vulnerable, and

macro level with gathered local observations; and on

challenge is, as mentioned, that most results of such

information for better planning, identifying

level. However, it is possible to compare trends at the

analyzes changes in seasonal activities.

this basis outline some future climatic trends relevant

Activity Clock: This tool identifies how men

for the local context.

and women spend their time, and what their

The vulnerability assessment report itself will be

to highlight womens voice and role in local

organization that guides the entire CAV process. They

their needs in further planning.

dated by participants from the communities and other

daily activities are. The tool is particularly suited

written by a group formed by professionals from the

communities, and the importance of integrating

finalize the report, which is then presented and valirelevant stakeholders that took part in the vulnerability
analysis.

1. See http://www.careclimatechange.org/tk/cba/en and publication on Climate Vulnerability and Capacity Analysis. Handbook.
(2009).

14

THE ADAPTATION PLAN

The vulnerability assessment report is the most

plan. CAV-funding belongs to the community. The

tation plan. The facilitators and the participants

organization (a cooperative) with experience in good

important input for further design of the adap-

steering committee manages the funds, but a different

study the vulnerability assessment report together,

financial management will assume the responsibility

in order to nd out which activities are relevant

of administrating the money.

and feasible to begin with, and which ones are

The funds allocated to the community are used

prioritized by local communities to become part

in correspondence with planned measures prioritized

allocates funds for the implementation of the adap-

microcredit systems and given to individuals as loans,

of the adaptation plan. The Development Fund

tation plan; information about budgets should be

available to the group before the planning process

by the steering committee. Funds can be allocated in

for purchasing tools for commercial purposes, such as
machinery or building materials. Funds can also be

begins. The vulnerability assessment report can

used on larger investments at community level, for

be very comprehensive, but the adaptation plan

instance development of infrastructure, or the estab-

contains only what is realistic to implement with

lishment of local seed banks. Small loans to individuals

available funds.

are relatively easy to monitor and the repayment rate

is relatively easy to trace. Greater community invest-

The steering committee

ments are somewhat more complicated, so in order to

During the planning process a steering committee is se-

lish compensation systems. The formulation of such

lected. The steering committee is in charge of managing

the adaptation plan. There are criterias for selecting
steering committee members. The Development Fund

requires that participation of women and men are

on equal terms. The steering committee members
are selected at the second or third planning session;

cover maintenance costs it may be necessary to estabcompensation systems should be discussed during the

planning process; otherwise the members of the steering

committee will neither have enough information, nor

realistic alternatives when prioritizing between different activities.

in addition, they have to be approved by local

Green interest rates

should meet regularly after the adaptation plan is

The microcredit loans granted to individuals are used

are also subcommittees operating under the steering

paid back as ordinary loans with fixed interest rates.

authorities in the community. The steering committee

completed in order to ensure its implementation. There
committees.

Subcommittees

are

responsable

for

diverse initiatives and activities, such as health issues,

education, water or agricultural management.

for commercial and productive activities, and are

Borrowers are also obliged to pay green interest

rates. This means that those who receive loans must

also implement climate adaptation measures on their

own property, for instance soil conservation practices

or planting fruit trees. What kind of measures are

Financial resources
When the climate adaptation plan is in place, The

considered as green interests, are determined by the

for the implementation of measures in the adaptation

sures already identified in the adaptation plan.

Development Fund allocates funds to the community

steering committee, and should be based on the mea-

15

CAV IN HONDURAS

16

eople in Honduras can feel the consequences participativa (FIPAH). FIPAH has for the last 15
of a changing climate in their daily lives.
years been working to increase food security of
The country is one of the poorest in Central

local farmers in rural areas of Honduras.

America, with 55% of the polutation living in poverty.

The country has an enormous income inequality.

CAV-Honduras was conducted in the Santa Cruz

(ECLAC, 2014) 1. Most people live in rural areas, and

River basin in the Otoro Valley, Municipality of

are subsistence farmers, occasionally selling surplus

Intibuc. The process was lead by FIPAH together

production. Increased problems related to drought,

with local inhabitants in the Santa Cruz micro-

unstable rain patterns and storms make farmers

watershed. Around 15 000 inhabitants get indirect

highly vulnerable. Crop failures may result in both

benefits from CAV activities. The Development

loss of income and hunger.

Funds partner Asociacin de Organizaciones de

los Cuchumatanes (ASOCUCH) in Guatemala, and

In Honduras, CAV was launched in 2013. The

the Development Fund, trained their counterparts

process was facilitated by the Development

in Honduras on how to conduct the Climate

Funds partner, Fundacin para la Investigacin

Adapted Villages model (CAV)

1. Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC)-UN: country profile Honduras 2014..

17 17

The project area: Four local communities

properly. The local cooperative - Empresa de Servicios

within a micro-watershed

Multiples Cooperativos (ESMUCOL), manages the

In Honduras a micro-watershed approach has been

the adaptation plan without administrating the funds

chosen. The project involves four different villages, El

Injerto, El guila, Crucitas and Maye, all belonging to

the Santa Cruz micro-watershed. All these communities

worked together on designing a common climate
change adaptation plan, as the communities use of

resources will impact the inhabitants across villages. If

funds. In this way, the steering committee works with

themselves, while the cooperative monitors microcredit
loans and fund expenditure, but has no authority to
make changes in plans and activities. The Development
Fund expects this type of fund management to enhance
transparency, and reduce corruption.

one village in the upper watershed pollutes the water, it

will affect people living further downstream. The way

Funds for the future FONSAM

affects her neighbors. Visualizing the interdependence

The Steering Committee of the Santa Cruz micro-wa-

each farmer uses the soil, the forest, plants and animals
of neighbors and of the different villages was an
important part of the planning. Participants from the
four villages have been involved in the whole CAV

process and have established a steering committee for

the adaptation plan called The Steering Committee
of the Santa Cruz micro-watershed. To organize the

work on the different issues of the adaptation plan,

the steering comittee has organized subcommittees of

health, enivronment, gender equality, education and

monitoring.

tershed, in collaboration with FIPAH, established the

Fondo de Servicios Ambientales Municipales (FONSAM)

the Fund for Municipal Environmental Services.

The fund was created to make it easier to obtain ad-

ditional funding from other sources, particularly from

the Government of Honduras. CAV is used to show the

government (and other potential donors) how adaptation can be planned and implemented at a local level.

In collaboration with local authorities, the inhabitants

of Santa Cruz and FIPAH made a tax reform proposal

for the Municipality of Otoro. The proposal states that

The steering committee and the local

one percent of the water tax, paid by the inhabitants

cooperative

in Santa Cruz, should go to FONSAM. The funds will

The Steering Committee of Santa Cruz micro-watershed,

Santa Cruz climate adaptation plan. FONSAM provides

and its various subcommittees, make sure that the activi-

ties in the adaptation plan are carried out and monitored

be used for direct funding of activities identified in the

a structure that can be used to channel funds from

national initiatives to a municipal level.

CAV project area in the Santa Cruz micro-watershed, Jess de Otoro.

Water Intake Points

Santa Cruz River
Creek
Main Road

18

19

ENFORCE CONSERVATION AREAS

Regulations exist, but only on paper
The department of Intibuc in West-Honduras has

has ever respected this decision. Those who have mon-

3000 meters above sea level, with lush forests and fer-

understandably more concerned about providing food

around 250,000 inhabitants, and mountains stretching

tile soils. The Otoro Valley cuts 300 kilometers through
the landscape, and a river runs from the top of the

ey and power do as they please, and the poorest are

for their families.

We are working on a plan to make the area along

mountains and down the valley. Traditionally, coffee

the river into a public national park. We will provide

mountains. Down the slopes, corn and beans predom-

es, and together recover and develop new crop vari-

was cultivated and timber harvested on the top of the

inate, and in the valley, rice, sugar and bananas are

cultivated.

In the Otoro Valley lies the La Paz conservation area,

which covers the four villages: El Aguila, Crucita, El

Injerto and Maye. The 15 000 inhabitants in the area

have been greatly affected by climate change and envi-

training in sustainable management of natural resourc-

eties; while producing with minimal use of pesticides

and fertilizers. We also like to cooperate with all the
subcommittees along the river to build roads, and to

improve sanitation, health and education, explains

Omar Gallardo.

The Institute for National Extension Services

ronmental degradation caused by human intervention.

(Instituto Nacional Agragario INA) participates in the

its source near the village of Las Aguilas, in the upper

funding through redistribution of taxes collected from

All inhabitants depend on the same river, which has

watershed. The water in the river is heavily polluted.

Timber logging in the mountains has created erosion,

and coffee beans are washed in the river polluting the

water even more. In the past none of the families along

the rivers had proper sanitary facilities.

CAV planning. The local government contributes with

the municipalitys water tariff. FIPAH gathers knowl-

edge and reports back to the government through the

local Forestry College (Escuela Nacional de Ciencias

Forestales - ESCANIFOR).

If we are able to protect the area by law, it will

-It will take at least ten years before the river is

open doors for support from the UN and other interna-

La Paz was declared as a nature reserve already in

ganizing the local communities will become a national

clean again, said Omar Gallardo, who works in FIPAH.

1987 (Act 87-87, Reserva de Montecillos), but nobody

tional organizations. Our dream is that our way of orproject, says Gallardo.

Declared conservation area,

but not protected:
La Paz was declared as a
conservation area in 1987, but
people are still cutting down the
forests, and still flush sewage,
fertilizer and pesticides directly
into the river this is also the
case in Bisfera del Pltano,
which is declared a world heritage
landscape by UNESCO.

20

GREEN WARRIORS
Stronger when organized
People in La Paz have always been quick to mobi-

lize themselves in order to solve both large and small

problems, says Wilfredo Reyes, secretary of the Steering

Committee of Santa Cruz.

Each village has committees to provide capacity

building to farmers; for the management of water supply,

seed banks, infrastructure, health, and communication

services. They also have clubs for youths education. But
we have never spoken with one voice. We have only
worked for our own little village, continues Wilfredo.

A wealthy engineer in Las Aguilas cut down 7000

square meters of forest just 20 meters from the river. This

is not something you can sneak out and do in the dead

of night - such an operation requires several hundred

workers, and a eet of trucks. The illegal logging allows

day laborers in the community to get much welcomed

income, but at the same time the laborers become a part

Inspiring courage: Wilfredo Reyes was one of the few who

of the illegal activities that destroys the livelihoods of all

dared to oppose the illegal loggers, an action that inspired

the inhabitants in the area.

the people in the villages to work together and organize

Wilfredo Reyes and Atilio Domnguez (president of

themselves. Here he is holding a lecture on CAV.

the Steering Committee of Santa Cruz), reported the

illegal logging together with the local development

committee in the village, and a public attorney was

appointed to defend the interests of local farmers.

Wilfredo and Atilio were the only witnesses who

dared to testify against the wealthy engineer. The

engineer was fined around 190 US dollars, and had to

replant the trees. But not a single tree has been planted

to replace the seven hectare of forest that was stolen.

At least the incident did generate one positive outcome:

local engagement in environmental issues.

CAV has helped farmers from the four villages to work

together for the a sustainable management of natural

resources in the Santa Cruz micro-watershed. These

villages are formally organized thanks to the support of

FIPAH and The Development Fund Norway. They have
elected a steering committee which is recognized by all
villages. In order to elect a steering committee, general

assemblies were held in each village; two representatives

from each villages (always one man and one woman

from each village) were named as candidates to form

part of the Steering Committee of Santa Cruz.

Illegal logging: Las Aguilas is situated 2000 meters above sea

level, the picture is taken in the area where 7000 square meters
of forest was illegally cut down.

21

DATA COLLECTION AND MAPPING

Knowledge about the area and the people
Scarlet Bautista Snchez is a 22 year old forestry

those who actually live around the micro-watershed.

FIPAH. Her tasks are collecting data from the field, in-

the application process to obtain protection for the

engineer student. She also works as a volunteer for

terviewing locals and providing the training regarding

mapping of natural resources along the Santa Cruz

With this documentation they can move forward with

whole area.

Atilio Domnguez, a farmer who also works on the

micro- watershed.

field survey, says when we began with the field sur-

local biodiversity, animal husbandry, what people grow,

met a corn farmer that used the herbicide Gramoxone

I come close to the people in the villages. I monitor

infrastructure and the community organizations. We

cooperate with all committees, and document as much
as possible, Scarlet says.

Accurate measurement of the territory of La Paz is

one of Scarlets main tasks. The aim behind the land

survey is to find out who actually lives in the area,

vey, we discovered that people did as they pleased.We

2455 (an extremely effective herbicide that is highly

toxic to humans and animals). The toxins ow right
into the river, so we have to stop him. We can force him,

but we prefer to teach him how to use organic fertilizer

and herbicides.

More common than the use of toxic chemicals, is

where the boundaries are, and how each farmer man-

the fact that sewage from households runs straight into

FIPAH buys services from a professional land sur-

of Santa Cruz has started the construction of toilets,

ages her or his land.

veyor; his name is Javier Barahona Mairena. Every

day, he and Scarlet uses GPS, maps and yellow paint to

mark the boundaries. Only with a proper map can the

Steering Committee of Santa Cruz secure the rights of

the river. In order to avoid this, the Steering Committee

cisterns and basins that are environmentally friendly.

At the top of the valley where the river springs, water

filters are installed to remove soil from the water, and

several families are getting water straight into the house.

Marking boundaries: Scarlet

Bautista Snchez, Atilio
Domnguez and Javier
Barahona Mairena maps
natural resources along the
Santa Cruz micro-matershed.

22

In the field: Land surveyor Javier Barahona Mairena and volunteer

Scarlet Bautista Snchez are measuring the area using GPS.

23

BRIDGE BUIDERS
Infrastructure an important part
of the value chain
Major oods have destroyed many of the bridges in

El Injerto; the bridge that links the village to the main

road is completely gone. The road is vital during the
coffee harvest. The coffee must be transported down
to the city as soon as coffee cherries are harvested, or

it will be destroyed if this happens the livelihoods of

hundreds of families are threatened.

We could tell that the bridge was about to crack,

Armando Garcia says. Armando participates in the

Steering Committee of Santa Cruz, and is also a board
member of the local water committee.

We hired an engineer to survey the damages, and

sent a letter to city hall for help. We did not receive

any reply from the mayor, and before we had time to

do anything, the bridge was taken by the ood. The

coffee is ready to be transported into town, so something should be done immediately!

CAV funding is not enough, so Armando Garcia and

the other members of the Steering Committee of Santa

Cruz took action. They collected money from the local

coffee growers, in order to hire a truck to transport

timber, and build a temporary bridge. A large team of
workers signed up to help. People volunteering are as
important as money when a job needs to be done.

A team of workers felled trees to use for the tem-

porary bridge. The enormous tree trunks were carried

up on the back of the truck, without equipment other

than rope and raw muscle power. Rain was expected in

a few days, and working in the rain is too challenging,

therefore the bridge had to be finished quickly. The
livelihoods of the coffee farmers rely on the bridge

being built on time. After two days of voluntary work

the bridge was ready, and cars carried freshly harvested
coffee from the farms to the buyers. The next step is to
collect money for a permanent bridge.

We will manage that, says Armando firmly.

24

Broken Bridge:
Left: Scarlet Bautista Snchez
and Luisa Gmez Garca,
volunteers for FIPAH, they are
looking at the damages after the
flood. The coffee is transported
to be sold to merchants in Jesus
dOtotro town. It is urgent that a
permanent bridge is put in place.

25

Challenging roads: This is the main road; twelve villages use it to get to

The volunteers:

and from town. It is still possible to drive on it, but when it starts to rain

Atilio Domnguez, Armando Garca, Angel Guitrrez and Lorenzo Daz

heavily the water level will rise by several meters.

26

Further up the valley, a smaller bridge was taken by the ood. Without it, the children

Testing the new bridge: Erik

Saturdays market.

testing the new bridge. If you

in mountain villages cant get to school, and no one can send fruits and vegetables to
The Steering Committee of Santa Cruz had to take action, they couldnt wait for an

answer from the municipality. With volunteers, fundraising and project funding, the
new suspension bridge was constructed.

Moiss Hernndez Turcios (6) is

run really fast, the entire bridge
moves, but you better stay on
your feet because the railings are
made of barbed wire, it was the
cheapest solution.

27

DIVERSITY ON FARMS
Spreading the risk for better
climate change adaptation
Steering committee member, Ignacia Vsquez, from
El Injerto is passionate about bean cultivation. She
walks from one bean row to another in the steep field,

explaining that she is growing different types of beans.

Over her shoulder she carries a red handbag with yellow envelopes. In the envelopes she puts the best seeds,
and delivers them to the local seed bank at FIPAH with
a report on qualities of the beans.

In the local seed bank, the best seeds from all over

the project area are collected, giving the farmers access

to local seed varieties that perform better in a changing

climate.

Ignacia Vsquez is digging in the ground with her

hands, showing how she covers the roots with crop

residues to fertilize the plant. Her whole family avoids

using pesticides and chemical fertilizers. That is the

condition the steering committee has set in exchange

for seeds and plants.

Most of the neighbors have lost their crops this

year, Ignacia says.

It is hard for many, but we have very good crops.

Others sow once or twice a year, while I plant new

fields throughout the year. Even last year, when it was a

shortage of beans all trough Honduras, we had plenty,

she says and points to the rows of different types of corn

varieties, radishes and herbs.

Diversity enthusiast:
Ignacia Vsquez sows beans,
corn, herbs and vegetables on
every vacant spot. She sends
the best seeds back to the
local seed bank.

28

Mother of three, Marina Turcios, has also begun to

to dry on plastic sheets. From a distance they look fine,

dictable climate. She has been a widow for two years

they are discolored by rot. Luckily, bananas and oranges

cultivate several plant varieties because of the unpreafter her husband was shot in the street by unknown
assassins. Marina is pointing to her fields; some plants

but when Franscisco brings back a handful of beans,

are growing undisturbed in the fruit garden.

We only grew corn, beans and coffee before. Its

are burnt, while others have owers that give promise

better now that we are growing different plant variet-

- These are the only beans we managed to save.

withstand more rain, we will also use varieties that are

of a good harvest. Under the eaves she is drying beans.

We didnt get many beans this year. I tried avocado,
but that failed too. On top of that, all the coffee bushes

ies. Soon we will be testing out a sort of bean that can

more tolerant to drought, he says.

Below the fruit garden there is a pond, that

got Coffee Rust or Roya (a fungal disease that affects

Marinas brother, Valentin Turcios, has stocked with

However, we have several fruit trees, so things will

minute later it is full off little fish.

coffee plantations in Central and South America).

probably be fine.

- Giving up is not an option, we just have to plant

new varieties. We can never loose hope, that wouldnt

help anyone.

Marinas Uncle, Francisco Turcios, is standing in the

courtyard next to the fruit garden. Beans are laid out

fish. Valentin throws the net in the water, and just a

Valentin worked as a cattle ranger for many years; he

has noticed that he has gained respect from local people,

due to his job in the Steering Committee of Santa Cruz.

People used to cut the forest and treat the soil as

they pleased, but now the farmers ask for permission to

chop a tree. Everybody respects the Steering Committee.

Dead beans
Marina Turcios has only a
single bouquet of beans left.

29

Spreading the risk: Francisco Turcios says

that fruit cultivation, in addition to the

Fish: Valentin Turcios has stocked the pond

traditional maize and bean cultivation, makes

with fish fry, something that has diversified

the diet for both humans and animals.

his family better equipped to deal with a bad

harvest, and it also diversifies their diet.

Marina Bautista lives next to the Turcios family.

Together with her husband and children, she runs a

small shop in a room in the house. She grows corn,

beans and coffee for their own consumption.

Because of the humid weather, coffee plants are also

affected by Coffee Rust. The beans and much of the corn

has also failed, Marina says. Its a hard blow for the family,

who are used to being self-sufficient with both food and

coffee. During good seasons, they sell some of the surplus

on the market, but this year there has not been anything
to put aside.

The local seed bank run by FIPAH, has distributed

different maize varieties to farmers along the river in La

Paz. Marina Bautista has set out to find which of the new
varieties that can withstand heavy rain and drought better than the old ones. She saves the best seeds and share
them with other farmers.

I have not done this for a long time, but I have certainly

found out which varieties grow best, and taste good.

30

Coffee pollution: When coffee producers wash coffee beans in the river, it contaminates the water. The waste from the
coffee beans sucks out the oxygen, and the water changes its color to a greyish yellow. The Steering Committee of Santa
Cruz has taught coffee producers how to build wells in order to filter waste water from their coffee production. Marina
Bautista is one of these coffee produces; here she is standing in front of her well.

Maize experiment: Marina Bautista is experimenting with different

Rotten Beans: Marina Bautista shows what is

maize varieties to find which variety is best suited for the growing

left from the bean harvest. Most of it is tainted by

conditions on her farm. The seeds that performs best is kept for the

fungus and rot.

next season.

31

Experienced farmer: Edwin Lpez (18) has received guidance while testing
different types of coffee to find the ones that are best adapted to the local
conditions. He is ambitious, and dreams of starting his own coffee factory
with a group of friends.

THE YOUTH ARE COMMITTED

Adapting to the future
The local cooperative, Empresa de Servicios Multiples

Like everyone else in the surrounding villages, he quit

ESMUCOL has taken responsibility for youth projects,

secondary school in La Paz; that is the reason why it

Cooperativos (ESMUCOL), is vital for CAV in Honduras.

which previously got funding from The Development
Fund Norway. They have established their own cooper-

ative run by youths, and they provide training to other

school after 6th grade of primary school. There is no

is crucial that adolescents receive vocational training,

so they are able to provide an income for themselves.

Above the valley, on a piece of land, the youth

youths regarding family planning, gender equality,

group learns how to cultivate in a climate-smart and

and climate adapted agriculture. The youth work on a

shows how to plant rows of cactus (Espada de San

the dangers of drugs, how to manage ones economy,

voluntarily basis, handing out fruit trees and plants to
the farmers in the district; they also pick garbage along
the rivers, and help out in the villages when needed.

Twenty year old Olvin Aguilar is a youth leader.

environmental friendly way. Armando, the instructor,

Miguel) in terraces on the hillside; in this way they

prevent soil erosion when it rains, he explains. Through

FIPAH, young farmers are trained in plant breeding
techniques. They select the best seeds, and share seeds

32

Practical knowledge: The youth group learns how to

create terraces, and plant cactus to prevent soil erosion
on the steep hillsides.
Recycling: Peel from coffee beans is great for
compost-making.

and experiences with other youths.

Edwin Lpez is 18 years old, but he is already an

experienced farmer.

I envision a better future for myself, he said.

I have to be patient, because I have a lot of

herbicide is very toxic to animals and humans - its

plans, which requires hard work.

good that we have abandoned the old ways.

extreme weather. He is trying to find a coffee variety

starting their own little coffee factory with a group

that are more drought tolerant. Many of the com-

quality coffee. Today, all the coffee grown in the

weather. However, Edwin has some coffee bushes

off to large factories. But Edwin has more than one

We grow organically, that is mandatory if you

He also grows pineapple, pepper, tangerines, lemons,

realized that the type of fertilizer we were using

In the shop we buy factory made plantain chips. I

Edwin is planting different coffee varieties to face

Edwin Lpez and Olvin Aguilar are dreaming of

that can endure increasing rain, and also varieties

of friends, where they can roast and package gourmet

mon varieties of coffee have succumbed to extreme

project area is bought by middlemen, and then sent

that are covered by red coffee berries.

plan, he points to several large clusters of plantains.

want to benefit from CAV activities. But we have

oranges and beans.

damaged the roots of the coffee plants and that the

plan to make my own that I can sell in the shops here.

33

HEALTH IS A PRIORITY
Marina Turcios spends lots of time and effort
on the voluntary work.

The health clinic: Wilmer Rodulio Turcios is waiting for his

mother and little sister outside the clinic. His sister has
respiratory problems, which gets worse in wet and cold
weather.

Volunteering for childrens health

Health and climate adaptation are linked, because

Marina Turcios spends lots of time and effort on

being in good health is necessary if one is to participate

and contribute to society. The Steering Committee of

voluntary work.

We are responsible for mother and child health in

Santa Cruz prioritizes measures that allow women to

the district, Marina explains.

necessary vaccines. The Committee also offers families

all mothers visit the health clinic for check ups. We

Committee runs the local health clinic. They are raising

that comes once a month to check on the children.

give birth safely, and makes sure children receive the

training in nutrition, health, and family planning. The

money, and looking for more volunteers to run it. The

health clinic is responsible for 87 families in the local

area, but since there are no other health stations in the
area, more than 3500 people get their primary health
care in this little clinic.

We register all pregnancies, and ensure that

receive women about to give birth, and have a doctor

Many are undernourished, and it is important to diagnose it before the children are harmed by it.

Marina is volunteering in a health committee that

offers women from the district training on gender equality

and women rights.

34

Future generations: Diana Bautista (17) is about to become a mother. The distance to the hospital in town was too long for women about to give
birth; there they were risking their own and the childs health on the long trip. Because of the health clinic women can now give birth locally, in a safe
environment.

Health is a priority: The local health clinic is important in the area, as the roads are often blocked during the rainy season. The
doctor comes once a month and all pregnant women can come for regular check-ups. All children are weighed, measured and
examined to detect symptoms of diseases and malnutrition. Diana Exely Artioiga and her son Joseph Naum Cabrera are among
those benefiting from these services.

35

WITH THE MAYOR ON THEIR SIDE

The authorities contribute to the future of CAV
Jos Roger Cantarero Domnguez is the Mayor of Jess

managed by The Steering Committee of Santa Cruz,

My family depend on agriculture, so I know what

The mayor is delighted to see that funds for climate

de Otoro town.

says Cantarero.

the challenges are, mayor Cantarero explains.

adaptation are allocated locally through CAV.

for help after they had lost their crops. It is worrying,

Otoro to provide training to other municipalities on

the issues. We observed how The Development Fund

proud to share our experiences, Cantarero says

This year, many farmers came to town hall asking

and we need a long-term perspective in order to solve

and FIPAH were organizing local people through CAV,

The Ministry of Environment in Honduras asked

CAV and FONSAM. We have accepted, and are very

and the Municipality intends to replicate the CAV

model in other villages. The most important thing

we can do for the future is to cooperate on managing

water, forests and soils, in a way that preserves it for

future generations.

It is absolutely necessary that local and national

governments work together on climate adaptation.

Practical and political support, together with grants

and taxes, make it possible for projects to become permanent, and to grow even after The Development Fund
has withdrawn its support.

Mayor Cantarero tells us how farmers in Otoro have

received recognition for their pioneer work, and he is

convinced that the CAV method will spread throughout

the country. He says that the government of Honduras is

already very interested in what is happening in the Otoro

Valley.

We have a long-term environmental strategy - one

day a new mayor will be in charge, and then the work

will continue. We are dependent on working with vol-

unteers, non-governmental organizations, and sponsors, to be able to develop our communities.

A lot of people want CAV to become a permanent

strategy. The establishment of a fund (FONSAM), is an

example of how one can work to ensure financing for

adaptation measures.

This fund is something totally new for me as a may-

or, but I see that it will be very useful for everyone. As

mayor, I have worked for a municipal tax reform, where

funds from the water tax, collected by the Municipality,

is channeled into the local adaptation fund FONSAM,

36

People here have ownership of the

environmental work, they are both
well organized and dedicated. The
efforts to create climate adapted
villages are some of the most
important things we do.
Mayor Jos Roger Cantarero Domnguez
in Jess de Otoro.

37

CAV
LESSONS LEARNED

38

he key to success for local climate adaptation is building strong local institutions,
this is the most important lesson we

have learned after almost three years of working

with CAV in Honduras. A vital part of the CAVmodel is to become sustainable, and the only way
to ensure sustainability is through building local
skills and capacity. That is because those living,
and working, in the areas need special skills to be
able to implement measures for local adaptation.

39 39

Ownership beyond traditional boundaries

Green interests rates

The climate adaptation plan from Santa Cruz has bonded

The Steering Committee of Santa Cruz manages funds,

tershed. Management of shared natural resources, such as

Some funds are used for investments in the community,

people living upstream and downstream in the micro-wa-

forests, water and seeds, requires a broader focus, beyond

individual farms and even single villages, explains the
leader of The Steering Committee of Santa Cruz.

We did not know each others villages, and did not

understand the importance of cooperation. Deforesta-

tion was a problem in the area, but since it took place

upstream, we who live downstream did not think that

it was our responsibility. Now we understand that we

have a shared responsibility to protect vital resources,

such as water, forests and soils, throughout the entire

micro-watershed in Santa Cruz.

which are used in line with the climate adaptation plan.

such as building a bridge or a local seed bank. In Santa

Cruz they follow a model in which 50% of available

funds are used for direct investments, and the remaining 50% is used for microcredit loans to individuals;

in which 50% of loan takers are women. Those who

are granted microcredits repay the loan with normal
interest rates, but the loan is also conditioned on
implementing adaptation measures on the loan takers

private property. This is known as green interest

rates. Some examples of adaptation measures are soil
conservation practices and planting fruit trees.

Once the loan is repaid, the funds become available for

Voluntary work and participation

others that are willing to commit to paying green inter-

Good participatory processes are crucial for the im-

and guarantees cash ow to finance additional private

plemention of climate adaptation measures locally.

Participatory processes build ownership among local
people and show them the value of the common good.
A large part of Santa Cruz adaptation plan has been

implemented by volunteers. Bridges have been built

- both physically and mentally. Voluntary work is important for the projects, and people volunteer because
they see that it benefits all.

ests rates. The system provides environmental benefits,

loans, as well as to finance further investments in

common adaptation measures, such as local seed banks.

Support from the local authorities is

a must
The participation of local authorities is crucial for

making local climate adaptation sustainable in the long

run. Local authorities must be included in the CAV

process from its beginning. In that way, local authorities

Available funds
Conducting a vulnerability assessment and designing

adaptation plans is not enough. Funds should be

available in order to implement planed measures.

Management of financial resources is an important skill

for local adaptation, it is crucial that there is local ca-

pacity to administer the funds. It requires, among other

things, knowledge of microcredit systems. Microcredit
is an important tool in CAV, and has worked well in

Central America, where strong local organizations,

dealing with credits were already in place long before
CAV started. Experience from pilot projects elsewhere

have shown that when local groups lack the necessary

knowledge, and capacity to manage money, the funds

are used for direct investments rather than loans. Thus

gain knowledge and become more aware about environ-

mental issues affecting their communities. Teaming up

with local governments is also important for securing

further funding for local climate initiatives The Steering

Committee of Santa Cruz has involved local authorities

in the entire CAV process. This way they have succeeded

in securing funding mechanisms for local climate change

adaptation for future generations. The establishment
of FONSAM and the introduction of a tax reform are

important elements in this funding scheme. The importance of implementing local adaptation plans was also
raised at the national level in Honduras, which will

use the experiences and expertise from Santa Cruz to

introduce the CAV model in other counties in Honduras.

the funds are only used once, and it becomes very

difficult to achieve sustainability. Therefore a local

organization, that has experience in managing credit

funds, must be in place before adaptation funds are

allocated locally.

40

41

42

Published by The Development Fund Norway 2015

Authors:
Siv Heln Strmland & Rosalba Ortiz, The Development Fund Norway
Harald Herland, Applaus
Translation:
Nadia Falch Bandak, The Development Fund Norway
Photo:
Harald Herland, Applaus
Design and layout:
Jenny Jordahl, Differ Media
Supported by The Norwegian Development Cooperation Agency - Norad
Local organization
Fundacin para la investigacin participativa (FIPAH) -Honduras
The Development Fund Norway/Utviklingsfondet
Mariboes gate 8
0183 Oslo
Tlf: 23 10 96 00
E-mail: post@utviklingsfondet.no
The Development Fund Norway offer support and partnership to local organizations in efforts
to combat poverty and safeguard the environment. Our main goal is to support small scale
farmers in their fight against hunger and poverty. Our programs focus on food security,
climate change adaptation and local organization. The Development Fund Norway is an
independent non-profit organization.
www.utviklingsfondet.no/en
ISBN: 978-82-91923-61-1
ISBN: 978-82-91923-62-8

MERKE
ILJ
T
M

01

48

204
Tr y k k s a k

Climate Adapted Villages (CAV) is the

Development Funds method for local climate
change adaptation. The method focuses
on building skills and capacity locally, and
assuring that adaptation occurs according
to terms set by local villages, and that the
implementation is sensitive to the needs of the
most vulnerable people of the community. This
report is a review of the method, and shows
how CAV has been implemented in Honduras.

THE DEVELOPMENT FUNDS MODEL FOR

LOCAL CLIMATE ADAPTATION
HONDURAS