Strengthening community tourism management in southern Veraguas

Southern Veraguas province in Panama has beautiful beaches and a rich variety of marine life yet few job opportunities for people who live there. Almost every family in the area has at least one relative who has moved elsewhere in search of employment.

At the IAF we support community-led approaches to expand economic opportunity and provide jobs that help people stay rooted in their communities.

Our grantee partner Fundacion Agua y Tierra (FUNDAT) works with local groups to develop a strong community-based tourism infrastructure that both takes advantage of and protects the numerous natural resources found there.

Through small business development and better management of natural resources FUNDAT is supporting local communities in becoming self-sustaining.