WWF is developing a Project Finance for Permanence (PFP) initiative that aims to secure the long-term
conservation of Belize’s marine and coastal protected areas and associated ecosystems. The PFP will seek
to secure up-front commitments from all relevant stakeholders, rightsholders, and implementing partners
which will ensure the technical, financial and other resources necessary to achieve long-term marine and
coastal conservation goals for Belize.
The ultimate financial objective of any PFP is to ensure long-term financial sustainability of a country’s
conservation priorities through: (a) initially covering the estimated financial gap during the agreed
implementation period; and (b) ensuring sufficient recurrent in-country funding to cover needs beyond that
period. To do so, the PFP approach combines two main funding sources: resources from international or
national public and private donors, and recurrent resources of national origin (the public treasury, revenues
from user fees, sustainable financing mechanisms, etc.). To enable the Government to commit to progressive
increases in financing, PFP arrangements may include establishment of mechanisms to raise new recurring
funding (e.g., from carbon taxes, levies on sustainable use, fees and permits, or other mechanisms), and
actions that will optimize use of available resources. In all cases, the aim is to drastically reduce reliance on
one-time donations to cover conservation area costs.
For example, in 2016, the Colombian government approved a tax reform law that includes the
implementation of a carbon tax on fossil fuels. Of the revenue raised, 17% is to be allocated to Colombian
protected areas, some of which will be used to support the Colombia PFP (HECO) initiative. Developing
sustainable financing mechanisms is one of the greatest challenges PFP initiatives face. The development
of such mechanisms is an opportunity to enhance benefits for communities, diversify funding sources, and
reduce threats for conservation areas.
Read and download the job description and procedure to apply here: Download PDF