CRS/Blue Harvest
Catholic Relief Services’ Blue Harvest Program strengthens water security and rural livelihoods in Central America's coffee-growing regions through watershed restoration, climate-smart farming practices, and improved market access.
Investment Rationale
Blue Harvest demonstrates how climate adaptation can strengthen both ecosystems and livelihoods, helping coffee-growing communities in Central America protect critical water resources, build local stewardship, and advance more resilient and sustainable agricultural systems through practical, community-led solutions.
Safeguarding critical water resources: Blue Harvest protects and restores water recharge zones, strengthens community-based water governance, and improves water quality monitoring to secure safe and reliable water supplies for rural communities.
Scaling resilient landscape management: Through partnerships with cooperatives, municipalities, and community organizations, the program advances proven approaches that reduce pollution, improve water stewardship, and generate practical models for replication across coffee-growing regions.
Impact & Outcomes
CRS Blue Harvest improves water security and climate resilience by strengthening local stewardship of shared water resources and promoting more sustainable production systems.
Improved access to safe and sustainable water: The program is expected to strengthen water committees and water boards, improve access to water for 5,000 people, and protect 12 community water sources through locally led conservation and management efforts.
Healthier watersheds and stronger local capacity: Blue Harvest supports the restoration of 10,000 hectares of critical recharge areas, improves water efficiency and pollution management in coffee processing, and equips 300 technicians, promoters, and producers with the skills and tools needed to sustain and scale climate-resilient practices.
