The Conservation Strategy Fund (CSF) is pleased to announce the successful completion of the Blue Economy Course, a virtual course for members of the Eastern Tropical Pacific Marine Conservation Corridor (CMAR). The training took place between July 28 and September 19, 2025, to strengthen the institutional capacities of participants from CMAR member countries: Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Mexico, and Panama.

The course, which provided economic and financial tools to support the strategic planning and management of marine protected areas, was designed for public sector professionals in leadership, coordination, and decision-making positions. They now have new knowledge to apply in the design, improvement, and implementation of institutional strategies related to marine conservation.

During its eight weeks, the course addressed key topics such as economic foundations, the economics of marine and fisheries resources, economic analysis tools, blue finance, economic instruments for policy and governance, and master classes with experts working in the region. Participants highlighted the quality of the faculty, the usefulness of the content, the ease of use of the platform, and the support of the Numbers for Nature Institute training team. They also considered that everything they learned about blue finance would be beneficial in their work.

The course was made possible thanks to the support of the CMAR Secretariat and funding from the World Bank's ProBlue Fund, within the framework of the project "Building Sustainable Governance at CMAR." This initiative is part of its Component 2, aimed at developing capacities to strengthen the Secretariat and standardize management across CMAR.

With this effort, CMAR takes an important step toward consolidating integrated and sustainable management of its marine protected areas, reaffirming the collective commitment of member countries to ocean conservation and the well-being of the communities that depend on it.

Disponible en español.