Although Mexico is considered an advanced middle-income country, social and economic progress has not been uniform across its large expanse. According to the World Bank, over 45% of the population remains in moderate poverty and 18% in extreme poverty. Poverty is especially prevalent in rural areas where economic opportunities are extremely limited and the population is directly dependent on land for its subsistence needs. Although wealth disparity is a source of social tension, it may also present an opportunity for implementing Payment for Ecosystem Services arrangements between wealthy communities who benefit from and rural poorer ones who provide these services. This is certainly the case for the resort city of Acapulco, which receives 98% of its drinking water from the Sierra de Guerrero region - a biologically rich yet economically impoverished area in southwestern Mexico.

EcoLogic has partnered with the Regional Council of the Sierra de Guerrero, an organization working on behalf of about 1,000 rural communities in this 4.6 million acre area of mountains, forests, rivers, and remote villages. These highlands - which include priority habitat sites designated by Mexico's National Biodiversity Commission - are home to many endangered species as well as 105,000 human inhabitants. Together, EcoLogic and the Regional Council are working to conserve the area's ecological resources in a way that brings benefits to the underserved local population. EcoLogic has worked in Mexico since 2001.

Our Support Made Possible

• 617,763 acres of forest under community management or protection
• 130 people participating in sustainable livelihoods programs
• 500 community members trained in watershed protection
• Water analyses of Papagayo River tributaries completed

Successful Past Partnerships

• The National Federation of Autonomous Campesino Organizations (UNORCA) is a Mexican federation of more than 280 campesino (small farmer) organizations.
• PROCURA is a Mexican organization that provides training in strategic fundraising to Latin American nonprofit organizations.

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