You can ensure our legacy continues by having a direct relationship with our partners
2020 will be remembered as a year of change. It was marked by a deadly pandemic, protests for racial equality and social justice, extreme political divisiveness, and unprecedented climate catastrophes. While our partner organizations the Mangrove Association, Red COMAL, and AMBAS battled on the front-lines, providing critical, on-the-ground support to those most impacted by 2020’s challenges. Our partners responded to the pandemic with grit and resilience, just as they have to so many other emergencies over the years. Meanwhile, things slowed down for many of us around the world. The months of quarantine and lockdown were an opportunity for us at EcoViva to reassess who we are and think about a different way forward.
EcoViva’s board and leadership entered an evaluation process to reflect on how our role has changed over our history, and at the same time, how our partners have grown their capacities and skills. We considered our core set of values including a commitment to sustainable, community-led solutions and found that there are ways we could more effectively support our partners, primarily through helping them access direct unrestricted financial support. As a result, we came to the difficult decision to dissolve the organization.
Historically, pandemics have forced humans to break with the past and imagine their world anew. This one is no different. It is a portal, a gateway between one world and the next.
Arundhati Roy
After 25 years standing in solidarity with community organizations in Central America, EcoViva will be closing in the next few months. We are filled with gratitude for everyone who has walked along with us on this journey. We have hope that our legacy will continue through the community of compassionate supporters that we have helped foster. EcoViva and our partners worked together over the past year to create a sustainable path forward.
In September, thanks to your generosity, all three of our partners in Central America became permanent members of GlobalGiving. GlobalGiving makes it easy for you to have a relationship with them directly. We are confident they will continue to grow and thrive with your ongoing donations through GlobalGiving, and EcoViva’s legacy will endure. You can donate using the links below:
AMBAS
The Mangrove Association
Red COMAL
EcoViva will maintain its 501c3 status for as long as needed to enable any remaining fund transfers to our partners, ensure grant reporting requirements are met, and finalize our transition. We hope that you will continue to support our partners directly on GlobalGiving.org, however, you can rest assured that any donations that come through EcoViva will be transferred to our partners.
The closing of EcoViva’s doors is a sad moment, but also a time to remember the incredible partnership with the communities of the lower Lempa, and to celebrate how much they have progressed in the 25 years. It has been a privilege to work with the EcoViva team, and to accompany our Salvadoran and Honduran compañeros in their struggles. Let’s continue our solidarity through GlobalGiving and other channels.