Interconnectivity is the Key to Success: CBF-EbA Dominican Republic Project Shares Lessons on Building Resilient Livelihoods

REDDOM's EbA project successfully linked mangrove restoration, beekeeping, fishing, and cacao production to create a stronger economic safety net in El Limón, Samaná.

By moving beyond raw material extraction and creating high-demand products like these, the community amplifies its economic resilience and generates better profit margins.

© Rosa Lamelas, CBF

The REDDOM Foundation, implementing the "Scaling up alternative and sustainable livelihood initiatives" project in El Limón, recently held a theoretical and in-person workshop to share key lessons learned and significant progress. The event brought together various stakeholders, including the Vice-Director of the El Limón Municipal District, representatives from the school sector, the Ministry of Agriculture, beekeepers' and fishermen's associations, women mini-entrepreneurs and other beneficiaries. 

Local beekeepers inspect a frame of honey and pollen, demonstrating the successful transition from barrel production to modern hives supported by the project.

© Rosa Lamelas, CBF

Key takeaways highlight the project's strategic success: 

  • Interconnectivity is the Key to Success: The most successful strategy was intentionally linking every action. Mangrove restoration supports fishermen and beekeepers; beekeeping is linked to mangrove health and uses by-products from cacao and fruit farmers for products like honey soaps. This circular approach creates strong economic resilience.
  • Formal Agreements Ensure Sustainability of mangrove restoration: Long-term sustainability for rehabilitated areas was secured by signing formal agreements with landowners who took responsibility for restoration maintenance. This model is suggested for sharing as a model for similar experiences in the Caribbean. Furthermore, a new alliance with the local high school will integrate students into long-term maintenance.
  • Value-Added Products Amplify Economic Resilience: The project successfully trained women’s groups to process raw goods—turning fish into meatballs and sausages, and honey/cacao into soaps and candles. 
The project worked to strengthen the Fishermen's Association, helping them increase their income while respecting fishing bans and environmental norms, including daily monitoring by CODOPESCA. Here a fisherman building fish pots.

© Rosa Lamelas, CBF

Testimonials showed remarkable growth: beekeepers increased from 3 to 36 organized members, and organized active fishermen grew from 22 to 59.

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