Honduras sets a regional precedent, launching its community-co-created adaptive social protection policy, to support vulnerable populations

Madurga Lopez, I.; Higuera Florez, J.; Pacillo, G.; Palou, N.; Penel, C. (2026) Honduras sets a regional precedent, launching its community-co-created adaptive social protection policy, to support vulnerable populations. Study LAC-2531. Rome (Italy): Bioversity International; Cali (Colombia): International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT). 3 p.

In December 2025, Honduras socialized the final draft of its first Adaptive Social Protection (ASP) Policy, expected to be launched in 2026, creating a national framework for shock-responsive social protection schemes. Developed by Honduras’ Secretariat of Social Development (SEDESOL), with technical support from the Alliance of Bioversity-CIAT, CGIAR’s Science Program on Climate Action, and Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) funding, the policy was informed by participatory consultations in 15 selected high-vulnerability municipalities. Bottom-up insights and local knowledge from the consultations guided national workshops and the creation of a new multi-stakeholder platform, which aims to better integrate climate adaptation, disaster risk reduction, and social protection programs. The initiative strengthened institutional capacity and positioned Honduras as a regional pioneer in co-designing an inclusive and evidence-based, shock-responsive social protection.