Stories
August 22, 2024 • 3 min read
In Honduras, GOAL is implementing the Barrio Resiliente, or Resilient Neighbourhoods, programme to strengthen local businesses. It's important that businesses in vulnerable communities can adapt to crises and shocks. These neighbourhoods need a strong local economy to drive development and growth, while ensuring that households can always purchase the basic items they need — even during times of crisis. However, many small businessowners in Honduras have never received formal business training. When crises or shocks occur, these business often struggle to cope and are sometimes forced to close down.
Strengthening Small Businesses in Honduras
GOAL is strengthening small businesses in Honduras by establishing and maintaining strategic alliances with local and national authorities. By doing so, we facilitate sustainable, systemic, and locally driven change while promoting economic growth and development in vulnerable communities. As a result, these communities become more resilient and self-reliant in the face of stresses, shocks, and crises. These include public health emergencies, periods of economic downturn, and climate-related emergencies.
In Yoro Municipality, the Local Economic Development Unit (UDEL) is responsible for assisting, advising, and promoting micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises. However, the UDEL of El Progreso did not have a clear strategy or well-defined processes for strengthening small businesses. Without a systemic approach, their efforts to support local entrepreneurs in El Progreso were isolated and inefficient.
“Before the intervention of the Resilient Neighbourhood project, we did not have an established methodology to train entrepreneurs or a clear process to support them in their business initiatives,” María José Tejada, Director of the UDEL, explains.
The Resilient Neighbourhoods Programme
GOAL is implementing the “Operationalising the Neighbourhood Approach for Urban Risk Reduction in Northern Honduras” project. This is one component of our Barrio Resiliente, or Resilient Neighbourhoods, approach.
The programme aims to help local authorities adopt methodologies that can be replicated in other cities to strengthen small businesses and foster community resilience. This is achieved through hands-on training for municipal technicians who work with GOAL staff to manage the project. The programme has been implemented in the cities of El Progreso, Villanueva, and San Pedro Sula.
“Once the project started, we liked the methodology and we were able to see the step-by-step process of how the businesses that participated in the Resilient Business Programme were trained and developed, so we decided to put this methodology into practice,” María explains.
Supporting Female Businessowners
The UDEL of El Progreso implemented a replica of the Resilient Business methodology in the village of Arena Blanca. It was a resounding success. Ten women, including Alma Luz Bustillo, an entrepreneur and community leader, benefited from the initiative. With the support they received, these women were able to turn their ideas into thriving and sustainable businesses.
“I’ve been starting my business for a year now and I’ve been able to see how it’s growing. I can already tell if I’m making a profit or not, we’ve received good training, we have our logo, we manage our social media profiles and we know how to do our own accounting,” says Alma, proudly.
The successful replication of the methodology in Arena Blanca is just one example of how this programme can be effectively rolled out into other vulnerable communities across Honduras. By training local entrepreneurs in business skills, the Resilient Neighbourhoods programme is not only strengthening small businesses. It is also promoting the economic and social empowerment of women, ensuring that underprivileged members of society can become resilient in the face of adversity.
Partnering for Systemic Change
Impressed by their progress and dedication, the Rotary Club of Ulúa generously offered to pay for some additional equipment and resources for the business women. This collaboration shows how partnerships between different organisations and entities can enhance the reach and effectiveness of humanitarian aid, while fostering solidarity and community resilience. Now, the UDEL of El Progreso is empowered to promote effective, systemic, and locally-driven change.
Learn more about GOAL’s work in Honduras.
Alma Luz Bustillo managing her small business in Arena Blanca.
