Overview
Belize is a democratic, upper middle-income country located at the Caribbean coast of Central America with a population of over 400,000. A member of both the Caribbean forum (CARIFORUM) and the Central American Integration System, Belize connects Central America and the Caribbean.
Belize faces many development challenges including having weak institutions and being vulnerable to external shocks, such as natural disasters and economic crises. The Belize government's ability to address these challenges is constrained by high debt levels and limited fiscal space.
Our partnership
Belize’s long-term development is guided by Horizon 2030. Its cooperation with the EU prioritises democratic governance for effective public administration and sustainable development, education, economic resilience and a healthy citizenry and environment. This work is done in line with the EU’s Global Gateway Strategy.
€23 million have been earmarked for cooperation with Belize for the 2021-2027 period.
EU-Belizean partnership documents can be found in the 'Related documents' section below.
Our key initiatives
- Green growth and sustainable socio-economic development
The EU works with Belize on issues critical to the green transition, particularly infrastructure, good governance, climate finance, and territorial development that includes indigenous communities. Specific actions include:
- Financing small infrastructure related to water, electricity, and roads.
- Boosting access to public information and economic development, especially by facilitating women’s entrepreneurship.
- Developing a national policy framework on carbon trading.
- Promoting inclusive development in the south of the country.
- Digital
To foster digital development, the EU is partnering with Belize on:
- “Digital Innovation to Boost Economic Development in Belize” to create better business and innovation climate for MSMEs.
- Digital solutions, including licensing processes and civil registration services.
- Services to support women led MSMEs located in rural communities with the uptake of digital technologies.
- Regional integration and border management
The EU is helping Belize develop its border security (especially overall management and monitoring), as well as enhancing its overall commercial and industrial integration.
- Civil society
The EU supports Belize’s 5 Great Forests of Mesoamerica programme, empowering civil society organisations in rural communities in preserving biodiversity.
The EU also invests in the Humana project, training civil society organisations in policy advocacy.
