The Project Unit Coordinator has been forming an alliance with local governments, research centers and grassroots organizations with specific presence in each of the project basins. This way, effective communication with producers and other actors in the territory could be ensured. Thanks to the network of local NGOs, information and results workshops had high levels of impact and thereby allowed for a more efficient translation of stakeholder insights into practicable solutions in the field. Examples of this support on the ground include: i) the management of different interests and potential conflicts between actors in the Cofre de Perote NPP; ii) the connection of governmental social assistance programs, subsidies, etc., to river basin zones that coincide with the project, which in turn created useful synergies; iii) the establishment of coordinated lines of work from the government level to protected natural areas (ANP) and to CSOs; iv) the coalition among CSOs has had impact on the river basin and in reducing costs, by making complementary use of the different capacities of the actors involved.
- A network of NGOs experienced enough to offer practical training to producers;
- Existing levels of organization of communities, producers, and local authorities on which to build initiatives, e.g. ejido assemblies, fishing cooperatives, rural production units, etc.;
- A shared sense of identity and belonging among producers, communities and local authorities.
- It has been vital to have a network of civil society organizations that collaborate in the project and help to promote good practices in the river basin.
- Each basin is different, therefore having local CSOs and NGOs as partners of the project has allowed better tailoring of project activities according to the characteristics of each community or zone.
- It is essential, however, to have a good management and coordination of the CSO/NGO network to ensure that all involved stakeholders are aware of each others' activities.