Mainstreaming biodiversity conservation in the tourism sector of the protected areas and strategic ecosystems of San Andres, Old Providence and Santa Catalina islands The projectâ€™s Objective is to mainstream biodiversity conservation and green recovery in the tourism sector to maintain ecosystem health and the environmental goods and services provided by the Seaflower MPA. Note: Disbursement data provided is cumulative and covers disbursement made by the project Agency. The socio-economic benefits to be offered by this proposed project may be expressed at multiple levels. For the project to achieve long-term sustainability, it is essential that the communities of the Archipelago understand the relationship between global biodiversity conservation and local sustainable use including human threats to marine ecosystems and realize that project objectives are essential for the survival of the native culture, both socially and economically. In this regard, the project will work with the relevant institutions to mainstream BD safeguards that favor environmentally friendly and sustainable tourism practices. This will enable the relevant institutions to improve their outreach and their services to beneficiaries thereby creating opportunities for employment, diversification of economic activities and investing in best practices. The project will promote those socioeconomically and environmentally friendly and sustainable tourism practices that will help to maintain and improve the biodiversity value of the target coastal areas and to reduce the pressures from tourism that affect associated ecosystems while at the same time allowing the tourism sector and associated communities to maintain and increase its productivity, thereby providing the opportunity for increased incomes.The project will help to build the capacities of the beneficiaries through training and technical assistance. To ensure effectiveness and ownership, the programming of activities will consider the work schedules of tourism service providers and their families, and communities, for minimum interference with the daily chores of men and women to ensure their participation in the activities organized by the project. Specific training will be developed targeting women beneficiaries in all three islands of the Archipelago to promote gender equality in the mainstreaming of BD conservation safeguards in tourism-related activities and to ensure that both women and men´s needs are addressed through the project interventions. Capacity building will also consider cultural and traditional knowledge associated with biodiversity management. This will help empower communities and will contribute to the preservation of the cultural and natural heritage and identity of the beneficiary communities, and the Raizal community.By conserving the Archipelago's significant sites of global biodiversity, benefits will accrue to the local community that help ensure long-term conservation and sustainable management of the natural assets that the communities rely on, including fisheries replenishment resulting from enhanced PAs management, improved recreational and tourism opportunities for both the resident and native communities, and job creation. The project will directly benefit 7,383 persons, of which 3,913 are women and 3,470 are men, and will indirectly protect 13,000 jobs that are linked to the tourism sector and 45% of the employed population on the Archipelago.