The FMCN is a non-profit organization based in Mexico City. Its mission is to conserve Mexico's biodiversity and natural resources through economic support and strategic management. The FMCN operates as a National Environmental Fund (NEF) and executes most of its projects through local and regional NGOs, research institutes, and community groups that are immersed in Mexico's environmental and social issues.
Sustainable Rural Life Project Initiated in 2003, the efforts of FMCN to address the problems associated with rural poverty culminated in the introduction of an innovative solar oven called the “Hot Pot”. Since then, the Hot Pot has provided rural communities with a clean and renewable device that produces zero emissions as an alternative to burning firewood. FMCN has distributed approximately 20,000 hot pots in 16 states of the Mexican Republic and as a result made significant strides to alleviate the economic, health and environmental consequences that face the 14 million people living in rural communities and burning firewood to cook and heat their homes.
Nine years later, this project has evolved into a multi-faceted approach, known as Sustainable Rural Life, which seeks to implement a replicable 3-phase model that facilitates the introduction of eco-technologies to ultimately build communities that lead healthy and environmentally sustainable lifestyles.
Contact Information
Our Focus
In September 2011, FMCN partnered with The Canadian Fund and U’yo’olche A.C. to expand the first phase of the Sustainable Rural Life project in 3 Mayan communities in the state of Quintana Roo and install Hot Pots for 100 families. As a result of these Hot Pots and Clean-Cook Stoves, 5,000 individuals reduced emissions by 7,000 tons of CO² in this region .Additionally, in 2012, FMCN has worked directly with Environment Canada to launch projects with the following NGOs: Niparajá in Baja California, Profauna in Coahuila, U’yoo’olche in Quintana Roo, and the cooperative of Mujeres Rurales de la Frontera Sur in Tabasco. FMCN received approximately 1.6 million pesos in funding from this project in March.
In seeking to enlist corporate partnerships, FMCN is collaborating with Continental Messaging Services (SCM) to develop their corporate responsibility efforts from a donation-based approach to a holistic plan to distribute and train employees in the usage of eco-technologies. So far, employees have benefitted from the various eco-technologies offered; technologies like Hot Pots, clean cookstoves and solar water heaters among others. In 2012, SCM has furthered its dedication to this project by committing approximately 1.2 million pesos to the development of Sustainable Rural Life.
Our Experience And Interest In The Four PCIA Central Focus Areas
Food preparation and cooking habits that have been passed down through the generations are not easy to change in any culture. The initiative incorporates that into the strategy of sensibilization and training when promoting the use use of ecotechnologies.
The Mexican Fund for the Conservation of Nature has been striving consistently to improve and increase the presence of the Sustainable Rural Life program and in 2012, through partnerships with these organizations and others, FMCN hopes to develop a micro-finance system for community members and continue the project’s objective to increase household incomes, conserve the environment and improve the health of families that live in Mexican rural communities.
Among the most popular eco-technologies offered is the Hot Pot, a solar-powered oven that serves as an effective complement to the Clean-Cookstove and exists in only one model. It is used outdoors, emits no smoke, and therefore ventilation is not an issue. As the flagship eco-technology, Clean-Cook stoves have been integrated successfully into communities of all kinds varying based on the local culture and the location and environment of the participating community. As these efforts continue in 2012, FMCN has enlisted the help of several key partners that have invested heavily in Sustainable Rural Life in different capacities
The slow-cooking nature of solar ovens minimizes the need for constant stirring and helps the food maintain more nutrients. Although the taste of some traditional dishes changes, some people actually prefer the taste and texture of food prepared in the Hot Pot. Use of the Hot Pot for cooking can save hours of daily labor to gather wood as well as reduce exposure to risks.
Relevant Publications or Studies
Business Plan elaborated by MBA student Marketing Plan elaborated by students of Georgetown University Instructive and Recipe Booklets Article published on VerdeAzul magazine Hot Pot in Mexico initiative has its own web site at www.imacmexico.org
Our Contribution to the Partnership
Fondo Mexicano para la Conservación de la Naturaleza is willing to collaborate supporting the exchange of information and best practices.
