Min. Rural Transformation, Community Dev, Labour and Local Gov

01/06/2026

Going beyond for our communities: The MRT Annual Management Retreat.

The Ministry of Rural Transformation, Community Development and Local Government recently hosted its Annual Management Retreat, bringing together our dedicated Heads of Department. This strategic session allowed our leadership team to celebrate the accomplishments of the past fiscal year while mapping out clear, collaborative targets for the year ahead. By ensuring every department is moving in perfect alignment, we streamline our efforts, maximize efficiency, and most importantly elevate the quality of service and support we deliver to the communities we serve. Together, we are going beyond to make a meaningful, lasting impact.

31/05/2026

Public Consultation Session Sittee River Village.

Thank you to all the residents who attended and actively participated in the Public Consultation in Sittee River. The Ministry and the Independent Commission on Village Boundary Disputes are truly grateful for your valuable input and civic engagement. Your contribution is vital to maintaining a transparent process for your community.

31/05/2026

Public Consultation Session Hopkins Village.

Thank you to all the residents who attended and actively participated in the Public Consultation in Hopkins. The Ministry and the Independent Commission on Village Boundary Disputes are truly grateful for your valuable input and civic engagement. Your contribution is vital to maintaining a transparent process for your community.

28/05/2026

The Ministry of Rural Transformation, Community Development and Local Government hereby reminds residents of Hopkins and Sittee River of the upcoming public sessions held by the Independent Commission on Village Boundary Disputes. These consultations are being conducted to gather community input and ensure a transparent mediation process for the resolution of village boundaries.

Meeting Schedule:

Hopkins Village: Friday, May 29, 2026 | 6:00 PM | Harada Inn

Sittee River Village: Saturday, May 30, 2026 | 4:00 PM | Methodist School

We encourage all residents and stakeholders to attend and participate in these important community forums.

26/05/2026

26/05/2026

Ministry of Rural Transformation, ILO, and EU Launch PROSPER Project in Southern Belize.

Yesterday, the Ministry of Rural Transformation, Community Development and Local Government, in partnership with the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the European Union, took a major step forward for rural economic growth by officially launching the EU-funded PROSPER project for Hopkins, Seine Bight, and Maya Center villages. As the first three of 15 southern communities to benefit, this cohort marks the direct rollout of enterprise support, value-chain development, and targeted skills training at Julian Cho, Corazon Creek, and Georgetown Technical High Schools, paving the way for decent work opportunities in sustainable tourism and cacao agroforestry that will directly empower women, youth, and local economies.

26/05/2026

Ministry of Rural Transformation Hands Over Maintenance Tools to Stann Creek Communities.

Taking advantage of our official visit to the Stann Creek District today, the Ministry of Rural Transformation handed over heavy-duty w**d whackers to the village councils of Valley Community, Santa Rosa, and San Roman.

The purpose of this handover is to directly assist these village councils with the ongoing maintenance and beautification of public spaces within their respective communities. By providing these essential tools, the Ministry ensures that local areas remain clean, safe, and well-kept for all residents. This initiative reflects the Ministry’s unwavering commitment to empowering our village councils and equipping them with the resources necessary to serve their communities effectively.

26/05/2026

MRT and Local Leadership Tour Hopkins Village.

Today, the Hon. Oscar Requena, CEO Valentino Shal, Area Representative Hon. Rodwell Ferguson, and other representatives from the Ministry of Rural Transformation joined the Chairlady of Hopkins Village for a productive community tour. The team visited the local health post to check in with staff and then headed over to the main community pier to discuss potential plans for its reconstruction. This joint effort highlights the strong partnership between central government, MRT, and local leaders, all working together to bring real progress to our communities.

22/05/2026

Providing Water Relief to Communities in the Toledo District

Building on our ongoing water relief efforts, the Ministry of Rural Transformation has successfully completed the installation and filling of high-capacity tanks with potable water across the villages of Jalacte, Palo Grande, Santa Elena, and Santa Cruz in the Toledo District. This relief effort ensures that these communities have access to potable water, especially during this peak dry season, reinforcing our commitment to bringing clean water to every community that needs it.

Continuing this vital work, the Ministry will also be on the ground today and tomorrow in Bullet Tree Village, Cayo District, distributing water to residents facing similar dry-season shortages.

21/05/2026

MRT and Partners Conduct Initial Infrastructure Assessment in San Pedro Columbia and Blue Creek.

Today, the Honourable Oscar Requena, alongside technical teams from the Ministry of Economic Transformation, the Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Housing, and the Office of Indigenous Peoples Affairs, visited San Pedro Columbia and Blue Creek villages to ground-assess the urgent challenges residents face, especially during the rainy season. We feel the deep worry of these communities, especially in Blue Creek, where rising waters can completely isolate eleven villages from the rest of the country. This visit marks the very beginning of a collaborative effort to explore the possibility of constructing new, resilient bridges. The goal of this joint mission is to see how MRT and its partners can work together to find a lasting solution for these communities.