Among the decisions made at the last Climate change summit (COP28), was the establishment of the new Loss and Damage Fund, designed to assist countries most vulnerable to climate change. We talked to our guests about the structure of this new fund and the possibilities for countries to draw on such climate financing mechanisms to build and enhance their social protection systems.

Small-scale fisheries are essential for global livelihoods but face challenges such as poverty, overfishing, and climate change. Social protection helps through assistance, insurance, and labor market interventions, but access is often limited, especially for women. The FAO's SocPro4Fish project supports the expansion of social protection. Key achievements include supporting unemployment benefits during closed seasons, creating a global social protection database, building capacity in over 50 countries, and fostering cooperation. Social protection is essential for an inclusive Blue Transformation that leaves no one behind.

Divers from the WECAFC region come in all profiles, nationalities, and ages. In Honduras and Nicaragua, most of an estimated total of 9 000 divers are Miskitos, an Indigenous People living along the eastern coast of the two countries. In large part, divers are male with ages ranging from 15 to 60. All face occupational health and safety issues and vulnerabilities due to their work.

This event is designed to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (SSF Guidelines) to advance priority actions for sustainable small-scale fisheries and to assess the current status of the SSF Guidelines implementation at the national, regional and global level to inform future actions. 

In this edition of the SocPro4Fish Updates, we bring you an enriching collection of reading materials and captivating podcasts that delve into the fascinating world of Social Protection in the Fisheries sector. 

Join this seminar to explore together a cross-sectoral approach to social protection and fisheries. The presenters will provide an overview of the new “Blue Social Protection Handbook” which offers practical knowledge to those who are working at country level on the social protection and fisheries sectors in search of innovative ways to promote sustainable fisheries while reducing human vulnerability. You will also be provided with an overview of the World Bank’s as well as partners´ emerging country engagements in this area.

In this heartwarming tale, meet Sandra Gómez Montaño, a dedicated 55-year-old fish processor, and the inspiring Platoneras, Afro-Colombian women vendors, who play a crucial role in providing essential nutrition for local families.

On Wednesday, March 27, 2024, in Tunis, the FAO, alongside the Ministry of Social Affairs, the Ministry of Agriculture, Hydraulic Resources and Fisheries, the Tunisian government, and CRES, organized a workshop on the social protection of small-scale fishers. This event was the culmination of a socio-economic survey aimed at gaining a better understanding of the challenges faced by fishers in Tunisia. Funded by NORAD, the project aimed to improve the welfare of those working in the fisheries sector, recognizing the importance of inclusive social protection systems. 

At the recent Fish Forum 2024 in Antalya, Turkey, experts gathered to discuss how to improve support for fishers. The workshop, organized by FAO's SocPro4Fish project, the FAO General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM), and the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), aimed to evaluate the current social support systems and find ways to make sure they reach everyone who needs them. 

 First issue of the year of the SocPro4Fish! This month we are focusing on one of FAO's dearest battles: the one against food loss and waste (FLW). Explore the topic through e-learning modules, websites, tools and publications and discover the key role of social protection in reducing FLW in the fisheries sector. Below you will be able to get practical information and solutions to tackle this important issue. 

Second issue of the SocPro4Fish Updates for this year! In this edition, we are excited to bring you highlights from the recent workshop held in Brazil, a collaborative effort between the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Brazilian government.

In this last edition of the year of the SocPro4Fish’s updates, we'll explore key takeaways and achievements of 2023. Delve into interesting papers, initiatives, blogs, podcasts, stories, webinars, and courses that have marked the highlights of this year.   

Welcome to the updates of SocPro4Fish project! In this issue, we focus on the heart of South America, Paraguay, where the project is being implemented. The project aims to assess social protection programmes in the fisheries and aquaculture sector, to build resilience of fishers in the face of various adversities and promote knowledge exchange to strengthen social protection programmes in the fisheries sector.

FAO was invited by Paraguay's TV channel, "5Días televisión", to discuss the FAO project "Social Protection for the Fisheries and Aquaculture Sector", also known as SocPro4Fish.

FAO visited Villa Oliva and Villeta, both cities located on the River Corridor, to assess the designated area for an investment proposal that seeks to support the socio-economic development of the local fisheries sector. 

The Ministry of Social Development, in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), celebrated World Food Loss and Waste Awareness Day with a discussion on the critical issue of FLW.

Small-scale fishers often work in arduous conditions, facing many dangers, with no access to social security schemes. Investing in social protection can improve their  wellbeing and contribute to making artisanal fisheries a sustainable business for all.

The SocPro4Fish project has partnered with CFI on activities in Cabo Verde to support evidence generation around social protection coverage and how to link it to early warning systems to deploy anticipatory action in the country and in the wider African SIDS region.

On Tuesday, October 4, the workshop entitled "Social Protection, Food and Nutrition Security and Water Resources: An Integrated Approach for a Sustainable Future" organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) as part of the World Food Day celebrations was held at the Faculty of Veterinary Sciences of the National College of Asuncion.

Welcome to socpro4fish's September updates. This edition focuses on the world of diving and in particular the WECAFC region. Through blogs, stories and publications we look at the health and safety issues facing divers and how social protection can protect and support them and their families. 

On the shores of the Paraguay River, in the city of Villeta, just a few meters from his house, lie the two boats that Walberto Valdez (37) uses daily to venture out into the waters in search of catches.