Support Grassroots Earthquake Recovery in Mexico

We are happy to share an update regarding “Women Rebuilding their Communities” Fund to support long-term recovery projects in communities affected by the earthquakes in September 2017. Since our last update, the impact of the lack of government response continues to be felt, and Fondo Semillas and other key actors are beginning the process of implementing medium and long-term projects in the region.

The open call for proposals from groups in the affected states closed on April 15th. We received 85 proposals of projects to be carried out in Oaxaca (39), Mexico City (14), Morelos (13), Puebla (10), Chiapas (6), Estado de Mexico (1), Guerrero (1) and Campeche (1). The primary themes highlighted in the projects include: emotional support to affected populations, rebuilding homes and local economies, and women’s leadership in the rebuilding process.

The selection committee, composed of experts in reconstruction from institutions such as Oxfam Mexico and the United Nations Development Programme, women from the affected communities, and strategic local organizations, gathered to conduct an initial evaluation of the organizations and the proposals received. There were several key selection criteria used, including that the groups must be led by women from the areas directly affected by the earthquakes, and that groups must have a work plan that addresses systemic change. Given the fact that elections will be held in Mexico on July 1^st, it was also important to ensure that the selected groups were not linked to any political parties.

After 3 rounds of analysis and deliberation, a final selection was carried out on May 21, and the 25 groups chosen to receive funding will be announced at the end of the month.           

We are so grateful for your trust in Fondo Semillas and your support of Mexico's rebuilding process. We will be reporting soon with the final results of the grantee selection and initial activities of these projects!