UEF started a process of consultations with local, and regional attorneys for guidance to draft the revised Environmental Laws of Belize to be people rooted.
The environmental laws of Belize do not enshrine the free and informed consent of Belizeans in developments that impact their living environments.
UBAD Educational Foundation (UEF) and other community partners are advocating for the laws to be amended and for Belizeans to have meaningful input on projects such as the $200 million USD in changes proposed in the Port Loyola community in Belize City.
Photo Credits: Keisha Rodriguez of Belize Association of Planners (BAP)
Port Loyola is a Southside Belize City Community home to roughly 1,200 residents, with stevedoring, the art of loading and unloading container ships being its economic backbone and the Port of Belize Limited is its primary source of income.
The income of 1 in 5 families here has been based on stevedoring, for 2 generations. Any new development at the port will directly impact the livelihood of these families, they must be given a seat at the table.
Yet, when Waterloo Investments Holdings Ltd submitted a $200 million USD proposal for a Port of Belize Cargo Expansion, Cruise Terminal, and Cruise Terminal development, the input of the residents was treated as after thought.
Community Involvement Campaign
In May 2021, the UBAD Educational Foundation (UEF), realizing that major development was taking place within its community, embarked on a 3-part circular process of action to ensure that the people would have a seat at the table:
UEF conducted community interviews to determine what information members of the community were receiving and how they were receiving it. These were then converted to community ads to underscore the problem.
Awareness campaign to ensure that the community was aware of the details of the proposed project carried out through television and radio ads.
UEF then began collecting and submitting community concerns to the government of Belize.
Both UEF and environmental organizations hold the position that the the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations of Belize is the law that gives the Department of the Environment and the National Environmental Assessment Committee (NEAC) in Belize the mandate needed for them to determine if environmental clearance would be approved or denied in the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process for proposed developments in Belize, should be amended to include meaningful input from the community, specifically by way of a community representative in the proceedings.
In November 2020, the environmental organizations submitted the attached open call to the Prime Minister, regarding the Port of Belize project.
We have a right to have our voices heard and respected by those with decision making power. UEF urges all concern Belizeans to reach out to the department of the environment with their questions, concerns and suggestions regarding the Port of Belize development.
Email: eiaunit@environement.gov.bz 
UBAD Educational Foundation is compiling and submitting public concerns around the Port of Belize project, ensuring that the questions, concerns, and suggestions of the residents are taken into consideration.
You may text UEF to be part of this process.
Text: + 501 671 8050
(Or email: ubadeducationalfoundation@gmail.com)
In order to make meaningful decisions on how this or any development may impact you, your family, community, and Belize, UEF encourages Belizeans to get informed, think independently and critically about it.
Discussing access to information, public participation, and about developments in Belizean communities, with focus on the Cargo Expansion, Cruise Terminal, and Cruise Tourism Terminal at the Port of Belize it’s impact Belizeans, particularly those near the Port of Belize in Southside Belize City.
How can the process of public consultation be improved in Belize? Share your thoughts.
This project, financed by the Global Challenges Research Fund, was a mission to promote bottom up people lead solutions to our communities’ climate challenges. Collectives of people in the Greater Caribbean region connected, learned, shared, and taught each other their hands on responses to the impacts of climate crisis in our region.
Bernard Lodge Farmers Group
Bristol University
Global Challenges Research Fund
All Rights Reserved – strongercaribbeantogether.org 2022
All Rights Reserved – strongercaribbeantogether.org 2022
In the tumultuous aftermath of disasters, it is easy to feel isolated and alone, but you are not.
We, a network of Caribbean-wide community organizers who stand in solidarity with those affected the twin threats of the climate crises and disaster capitalism, a phenomenon that exacerbates the suffering of vulnerable communities.
We want you to know that your stories matter. We are here to listen, to support, and to amplify your voices.
We believe that together, we can challenge the forces of disaster capitalism and advocate for more sustainable, inclusive and equitable decision-making.
Join us in solidarity. Share your experiences and let’s build strong communities that thrive together.
As the wider world braces for the climate change, Caribbean communities are already struggling with its effects. Small local communities, small scale farmers and coastal communities are disproportionately affected. Political decisions, power dynamics and laws often compound the catastrophes and silence bottom up solutions.
There are ways in which you can help.