Guatemala

Our impact

Context

A country of great cultural diversity and spectacular landscapes, Guatemala continues to face significant socio-economic challenges, particularly in rural and Indigenous areas. Prior to Socodevi’s interventions, many communities experienced persistent poverty, limited access to education, employment and financial services, as well as low participation of women and youth in local governance.

For nearly 30 years, Socodevi has supported Guatemalan organizations in strengthening co-operatives, developing agricultural value chains, and promoting sustainable tourism and care economy initiatives. Recent projects have enhanced the economic empowerment of women and youth, fostered social inclusion, and increased territorial resilience to climate change.

Objectives and expected results

  • Strengthen the governance, economic performance and sustainability of co-operatives and associations.
  • Increase the economic empowerment of women and youth, particularly in rural and Indigenous communities.
  • Develop and consolidate inclusive agricultural and tourism value chains.
  • Promote gender equality, the protection of women’s rights and the prevention of gender-based violence.
  • Support climate resilience, economic diversification and decent employment.

Sectors of activity

  • Co-operative development and associative enterprises
  • Agroforestry and sustainable agriculture (cardamom, turmeric, pepper, coffee, cocoa)
  • Community-based and sustainable tourism
  • Care economy and paid care work
  • Women’s economic empowerment and youth inclusion
  • Inclusive governance and leadership
  • Climate change adaptation and territorial resilience

Results and impacts

Agroforestry value chains

Through the CRECER/WAKLIIK project (2019–2025), more than 3,100 people, including 50% women, increased their incomes and improved their living conditions through diversified agroforestry production systems (cardamom, turmeric, pepper, coffee and cocoa). The project strengthened entrepreneurial skills, created decent jobs, and promoted more inclusive co-operative governance, particularly for women and youth.

Community-based tourism and territorial development

The PRODISOL project (2022–2027) supported 1,250 people, 70% of whom are women and youth, in 11 municipalities of the Lake Atitlán basin. It helped structure a sustainable community tourism offer through learning-by-doing, access to financial services, and the creation of a regional co-operative. Women’s participation in decision-making increased by 43%, and 22% now exercise direct control over their economic activities.

Care economy and women’s rights

The TRASOL project (2024–2028) targets the empowerment of 4,500 women, 1,250 young women, as well as 200 men and 200 young men, in the paid care sector. It addresses multidimensional marginalization, supports the creation of women-led co-operatives, and strengthens the protection of women’s rights. Activities include training, prevention of gender-based violence, and the consolidation of networks of women leaders.

Overall impact

By combining the results of these projects, Socodevi has supported more than 42 co-operatives, strengthened dozens of associations, and reached over 40,000 people in 2025. Impacts include increased incomes, stronger representation of women and youth in governance, the creation of new value chains, and the consolidation of an inclusive and sustainable development model in Guatemala.

Testimonials

“Thanks to the Atitlán Recicla co-operative, we were able to transform recycled materials into marketable products, generating income and valuing women’s work. Socodevi supported us in management, marketing and governance.”

  • Elvira Méndez
    Member of the Atitlán Recicla co-operative

“Collective and co-operative entrepreneurship is the cornerstone of our approach. It is a lever to provide women and adolescent girls with tools to sustainably improve their lives and defend their rights. We want them to fully participate in society!”

  • Caroline Poussart
    Member of the Atitlán Recicla co-operative

Projects in Guatemala

PRODISOL

With the PRODISOL project, Socodevi aims to sustainably increase the economic autonomy of women and youth in 11 municipalities in the Lake Atitlán basin, Guatemala. The project also helps revitalize the tourism sector by promoting the protection and enhancement of the region’s natural and cultural heritage.
  • Funded by:
    Global Affairs Canada
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trasol socodevi guatemala et honduras

TRASOL

With the project Solidarity Care Workers Organized in Cooperatives for Our Rights (TRASOL), Socodevi works to promote and defend the rights and needs of women and adolescent girls who are members of worker co-operatives in the paid care sector in Guatemala and Honduras. The project also supports the participation of feminist and Indigenous organizations in […]
  • Funded by:
    Global Affairs Canada
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Partners

Donors and international partners

  • Global Affairs Canada
  • UV Assurance
  • We Effect
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Contact

Guatemala Office
6a Calle 5-05 Zona 11,
Cobán, Alta Verapaz
(+502) 7950-0741

Countries where we operate

Bolivia

Since 1987, Socodevi has been supporting the economic, social, and environmental development of rural — particularly Indigenous — communities in Bolivia. Over time, interventions have evolved from multisectoral approaches (health, water, hygiene, nutrition) toward the structuring of inclusive and sustainable value chains (spices, tara, llama meat), while systematically integrating gender equality, local governance, and climate […]

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Honduras

Since 2003, Socodevi has been supporting the strengthening of the co-operative movement, sustainable forest management, and inclusive economic development in Honduras. Over time, interventions have evolved toward agroforestry, financial inclusion, and the economic empowerment of women and youth, particularly in the coffee and honey value chains. The projects implemented have improved the governance and performance […]

  • Funded by:
    Global Affairs Canada
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Colombia

In Colombia, Socodevi has been supporting for more than a decade the professionalization of rural economic organizations, the upgrading of the cocoa value chain, and the strengthening of agricultural and financial services, with a consistent focus on gender equality and the inclusion of Indigenous peoples. Our interventions cover the entire value chain—from inputs and production […]

  • Funded by:
    Global Affairs Canada
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