PASOLAC (Programa para la Agricultura Sostenible en las Laderas de América Central) offers technical, methodological, and financial support to more than 50 member organizations that work with local farmers and communities on the hillsides to implement sustainable agriculture practices, particularly Sustainable Soil and Water Management (SSWM) techniques. The program is characterized by a participatory and demand-driven approach, which aims to build capacities and cooperation among member organizations and encourage long-term adoption of SSWM practices by farmers. Through its “pilot actions,” the program is also validating three innovative methodological approaches in carrying out its activities. The first, “Invertir la Mirada,” ensures the active involvement of farmers in the identification and specification of training demands in order to increase the efficiency and quality of technical assistance. The second, “Pago por Servicios Ambientales,” compensates farmers for the maintenance and management of natural resources and services (especially water) through cash or in-kind contributions. The third, “Mercados para Agricultores de Laderas”, aims to insert rural production into the market. To date, PASOLAC has achieved the following: (1) establishment of a network of organizations working on sustainable agriculture and forestry (including agroforestry) on hillsides; (2) validation and implementation of approximately 50 soil and water management techniques by farmers in all three countries; (3) creation of a competitive fund that partially finances project activities that seek to implement SSWM at the farm and local community level; and (4) design and application of tools for participative monitoring, validation, and evaluation, as well as for knowledge transfer. Link to Source