WHAT WE DO
SNN works across borders bringing people and cultures together to address common challenges
PROGRAMS
SNN facilitates action on contemporary issues confronting the Latin America and Caribbean Region and the global South, including how to adapt to and mitigate the effects of climate variability and change, and the interface with migration, environmental, social, economic and political priorities.
We convene stakeholders, including international and regional organizations, to discuss these challenges and support policy formulation, solution identification and learning from implementation. We leverage innovation and technology, to reduce disaster risk and impact, and promote adaptation to climate change with an emphasis on justice.
South North Nexus works with communities, civil society, government officials, researchers and professionals to promote mutual learning, partnership and action to confront location-specific challenges.
These complex issues require collaborative approaches which start with the daily challenges that people and communities face and linking their priorities with broader policies and proven technologies. The nexus between traditional knowledge and contemporary science and strategies for sustainable food systems, food security and nutrition are among our top priorities.
We convene stakeholders, including international and regional organizations, to discuss these challenges and support policy formulation, solution identification and learning from implementation. We leverage innovation and technology, to reduce disaster risk and impact, and promote adaptation to climate change with an emphasis on justice.
South North Nexus works with communities, civil society, government officials, researchers and professionals to promote mutual learning, partnership and action to confront location-specific challenges.
These complex issues require collaborative approaches which start with the daily challenges that people and communities face and linking their priorities with broader policies and proven technologies. The nexus between traditional knowledge and contemporary science and strategies for sustainable food systems, food security and nutrition are among our top priorities.
Learning, sharing and innovation take place using a variety of methods and tools, including research, evaluations, case studies and assessments, and sharing of technical experiences. Our tool kit contains livelihood and gender analyses, disaster risk and impact assessment, hazard mapping, climate assessments, adaptation and resilience planning, emergency preparedness, and disaster risk planning and reduction.
Many communities and countries in the south and north are experiencing severe climate, political and migratory challenges that require urgent action.
Follow Their Lead, Livelihood Analysis, La Guajira, Colombia Socio Economic Analysis SNN is developing several initiatives related to the UN Strategic Development Goals with the aim of contributing to the country’s socio-economic development. For example, in Nicaragua, a country facing numerous ongoing challenges, SNN has sponsored forums with the participation of top experts such as the ex-President of Instituto Centroamericano de Administración de Empresas (INCAE), Roberto Artavia, PhD. Discussions focused on the importance of tourism and progressing on the Social Protection Indicators. |
OUR TOOLSLivelihood Analysis
South North Nexus (SNN) and BioRegions International (BRI) are undertaking livelihood analyses across bioregions with the aim of sharing best practices and solutions to understand how communities and families are coping and adapting to a variety of shocks. Specifically, SNN and BRI are lending their experience to support local partners who conduct a livelihood analysis with the objective of understanding the past, current and future challenges faced by families and communities.
The analysis emphasizes discussing impacts due to shocks, the health-food security-nutrition nexus, the relationship with conflict, the loss of livelihoods and coping mechanisms, and the need to migrate. Collaborations among bioregions – regions defined by their cultural and natural environment – for the purposes of this project include communities in Colombia, Kenya, Mongolia, and Montana. The project is underway in all four regions and was finished in Kenya earlier this year. The sharing of experiences with collective learning will contribute to strengthening livelihood resilience, and enable families, communities, and local entities to better plan for and respond to shocks. Based on the results of the livelihood analysis, a sharing process will be organized at local level and then among all communities involved in the livelihood discussions. Using inputs from the local and bioregions discussions, SNN and BRI seek funding to prioritize solutions to be implemented by communities in Colombia, Kenya, Mongolia, and Montana, USA. 
Family Fishing, Nicaragua
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Migration: Legal Fund
The Migrant Legal Fund managed by South North Nexus aims to assist migrants and their families in Montana with legal support to address pressing issues related to their residency in Montana. Support includes document preparation, lawyers’ fees, and travel for court appearances.
Some of the migration issues that have come to our attention include: preparation for “court order to appear” dates, change of venue requests, assistance with asylum requests, and responses to deportation orders. Other local issues include are related to drivers’ licenses, car registration and document preparation for health service- related matters.
Funds have already helped a number of families with asylum requests.
Some of the migration issues that have come to our attention include: preparation for “court order to appear” dates, change of venue requests, assistance with asylum requests, and responses to deportation orders. Other local issues include are related to drivers’ licenses, car registration and document preparation for health service- related matters.
Funds have already helped a number of families with asylum requests.
Migration: Nutrition Assessment at the US - Mexico Border
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Separation of immigrant and refugee children and their families at the US Mexico border is a public health crisis that has the potential to negatively affect these children and their families for years to come. SNN and partners will be conducting a nutritional assessment at the border and will then identify follow-up nutritional and health support actions. Actions would assist partners to support the appropriate responses for the identified needs.
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Migration and Occupational Health: Gallatin Valley
South North Nexus and Montana State University are partnering in the Gallatin Valley, Montana USA with the aim of bringing greater understanding regarding the opportunities and the challenges faced by the migrant population in Gallatin Valley. Dialogue with a range of stakeholders centers around livelihood strategies and responses to shocks including the COVID-19 pandemic, housing insecurity, legal status, employment and healthcare, with particular emphasis on occupational health injuries and safety measures. As the livelihood framework incorporates a holistic approach, cross cutting issues are central to the analysis including gender roles and empowerment, the health-food-security-nutrition nexus, reasons for migration, and discrimination in the workplace and people’s daily lives.
South North Nexus and Montana State University are partnering in the Gallatin Valley, Montana USA with the aim of bringing greater understanding regarding the opportunities and the challenges faced by the migrant population in Gallatin Valley. Dialogue with a range of stakeholders centers around livelihood strategies and responses to shocks including the COVID-19 pandemic, housing insecurity, legal status, employment and healthcare, with particular emphasis on occupational health injuries and safety measures. As the livelihood framework incorporates a holistic approach, cross cutting issues are central to the analysis including gender roles and empowerment, the health-food-security-nutrition nexus, reasons for migration, and discrimination in the workplace and people’s daily lives.
Building Community Resilience
Through a community based, participatory strategy, we work with women and men community members and leaders, local government and nongovernmental organizations to design and test community-led actions that enhance the resiliency of livelihoods and the ecosystems.
Trainings and knowledge generation and sharing feature strongly in the actions and support the diversification of livelihoods. Trainings integrate nutrition and human rights components with income generating opportunities.
Our pilot project in Kenya, for example, is a catalyst, generating knowledge and lessons on adaptation and resiliency actions that have the potential to be scaled up to achieve broader impact in the Turkana region.
Through a community based, participatory strategy, we work with women and men community members and leaders, local government and nongovernmental organizations to design and test community-led actions that enhance the resiliency of livelihoods and the ecosystems.
Trainings and knowledge generation and sharing feature strongly in the actions and support the diversification of livelihoods. Trainings integrate nutrition and human rights components with income generating opportunities.
Our pilot project in Kenya, for example, is a catalyst, generating knowledge and lessons on adaptation and resiliency actions that have the potential to be scaled up to achieve broader impact in the Turkana region.
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Sharing Experiences and Community Dialogue
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