CESO | SACO: Sharing a Lifetime of Experience

The island of Roatán’s real estate market has been hit hard by the international economic crisis, but has still managed to grow and draw visitors, especially with the inauguration of their Carnival Cruise Line terminal. According to the Central American Tourism Board approximately 2.6 million tourists visited Honduras in 2009. Tourism is the third largest revenue contributor to Honduras’ gross domestic product, but often lacks trained personal, business plans and certification for tour guides. CESO has been working with small hotels across the country, and has recently established a partnership with CANATUR, the Honduras National Tourism Association, to improve service quality in the tourism sector.

The economy of Honduras relies on a narrow range of exports and is increasingly vulnerable to natural disasters and commodity price shifts, depending heavily on the US, its largest trading partner. CESO and its partners contribute to economic and social growth by helping to promote new employment opportunities, income generation, and improved standards of living.CESO works with the National Foundation for the Development of Honduras (FUNADEH), a non-governmental organization that provides training to small and medium-sized enterprises and promotes social projects, particularly for poor children and youth. CESO supports FUNADEH’s efforts to alleviate poverty and contribute to economic development 

Agriculture holds a lot of potential in the country but often lacks expertise and funds for research, especially in the case of small farms. Agriculture research centres are also short on resources needed to genetically enhance fruits and vegetables. CESO and its partners are increasing revenue and income generation in the agricultural sector by providing training in technology, quality genetic material, soil management and organic crop growing methods. CESO works with the Honduran Agricultural Research Foundation (FHIA) a private organization that researches alternative growing methods and helps low-income farmers increase their revenue while decreasing their
environmental impact.

CESO and its partners are strengthening democratic institutions to develop and sustain responsible governments. Rural municipalities in Honduras often cannot afford to pay experts to write proposals, business plans and feasibility studies for the government and international agencies that could potentially grant them financial support. CESO is working with various municipalities to develop business plans, promote good governance, improve environmental practices and redistribute administrative responsibilities among local authorities.

Ninety percent of the population in Honduras has only sporadic access to water, and only 44% of those citizens are able to use clean drinking water. CESO and 15 partners improved waste management practices and access to clean water for municipal residents between 2004 and 2009. Enhancing water supply and quality contributes to a healthier and more productive population that can pursue economic opportunities. CESO has also partnered with the National School of Forest Sciences (ESNAFICOR), a research facility that uses social programs to stimulate jobs in surrounding communities that participate in environmental programs. Together, ESNACIFOR and volunteers will work on strategic environmental protection, water and forest management and ways to reuse agriculture forestry waste in an alternative energy program.