Marine Prosperity Areas to be implemented
5
Program launch year
2026
For the Gulf of California
The Gulf of California is a vital source of life, food, and income for thousands of families across Sonora, Sinaloa, Baja California, Baja California Sur, and Nayarit.The Blue Economy initiative for the Gulf of California's Marine Prosperity Areas was born out of a strategic partnership between Fundación Coppel, IDB Lab, and FUNDES, based on a clear premise: environmental conservation can only be sustained over time when it creates real opportunities for the well-being of the communities living in coastal areas.FUNDES brings four decades of experience in building prosperity across Latin America, with a commitment to unlocking the talent and resources already present in the region and transforming them into a replicable model for Mexico and Latin America as a whole.
The Challenge
Coastal communities in the Gulf of California depend on an ecosystem currently facing critical environmental, social, and economic pressures. As marine resources deteriorate, so do the livelihoods of those who depend on fishing, tourism, and local gastronomy.For many years, environmental conservation and economic development have been viewed as competing priorities, making it difficult to develop solutions that protect ecosystems while improving families' quality of life.
The Solution
The program includes the implementation of five Marine Prosperity Areas, the training of 90 young community leaders, and support for 60 businesses through incubation and business development initiatives.To achieve these goals, the initiative will promote territorial governance frameworks, strengthen local capacities, and provide support to businesses in strategic sectors such as regenerative tourism, sustainable fishing, local gastronomy, and environmental services.Implementation involves representatives from the private sector, civil society, academia, international organizations, and public authorities. Together, they aim to strengthen a long-term regional agenda that contributes to building more resilient, sustainable, and prosperous communities.
Results
90
Young community leaders receiving training
60
Productive initiatives (30 incubated businesses + 30 strengthened MSMEs)
10
Businesses connected to financing opportunities
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed
Testimonials
"For Fundación Coppel, this project represents a commitment to promoting a new vision of prosperity for coastal communities, where environmental restoration, the local economy, and community participation move forward together."
"The Blue Economy represents an opportunity to drive economic development, job creation, and new opportunities for coastal communities. At IDB Lab, the innovation and venture arm of the Inter-American Development Bank Group (IDB Group), we see this project as a way to support local solutions that strengthen sustainable economic activities and generate tangible benefits for communities.Its purpose is to build models with measurable results and the potential to scale across the region."
