Social, economic and political marginalization of Indigenous and other communities in Guatemala have led to conflicts, a deterioration of social cohesion and irregular migration.
Though Guatemala is Central America’s largest economy, it ranks below average on the World Bank’s Human Capital Index compared to its Latin American and Caribbean neighbors. Em janeiro 2024, the new government pledged to advance reforms to address significant gaps in human development, infrastructure and economic inclusion.
Tecendo a Paz da USAID (o Projeto de Construção da Paz) aborda conflitos usando abordagens preventivas em vez de reativas envolvendo todos os setores da sociedade. De maio 2018 até junho 2024, trabalhou com diversos membros da comunidade, organizações da sociedade civil e o governo da Guatemala em 133 comunidades em todas as Terras Altas Ocidentais para abordar as causas subjacentes do conflito social e desenvolver capacidade local para liderar iniciativas inclusivas de construção da paz. Através de uma abordagem sistêmica, design orientado para a resiliência e ênfase na prevenção, Tejiendo Paz apoiou os povos indígenas, mulheres, juventude, Indivíduos LGBTQI+ e outras partes interessadas para resolver conflitos e desenvolver redes e parcerias para construir a paz desde a base.
With an extension through May 2026, the program entered a new phase focused on building bridges between the Guatemalan government that took office in January 2024 and the Indigenous population (including Maya, Xinca and the Garífuna communities), supporting government institutions in mitigating social conflict. In this new phase, Tejiendo Paz will build on its previous achievements, mobilize existing partnerships and expand its focus to address emerging priorities in Guatemala.
Metas do Programa
Given that women, juventude, Indígena, Garífuna and LGBTQI+ individuals suffer the impacts of social conflicts more severely, they are also critical actors in defining peacebuilding priorities and promoting development in their communities. Using instruments to integrate gender and social inclusion, Tejiendo Paz works with government officials to review and update their plans to reflect new priorities and strategies.
Tejiendo Paz provides technical support and funding to local and traditional authorities to co-create and implement conflict mitigation and peacebuilding strategies in selected geographic areas, including beyond the Western Highlands. Through this effort, Tejiendo Paz supports the government in institutionalizing social conflict mitigation approaches and building trust with communities. The program will co-conduct a conflict analysis and mapping to identify priority areas and existing local capacities to prevent and manage those issues. The analysis will guide where to develop and implement action plans to address social conflict and promote cohesion.
Tejiendo Paz works with government and NGO actors to further strengthen their abilities to coordinate comprehensive approaches to addressing local conflicts. Tejiendo Paz works to improve the government’s capacity and inter-institutional coordination at the national and department levels to identify, evitar, address and respond to local conflict. With the government’s new emphasis on resolving social conflict and constructively engaging citizens, Tejiendo Paz will support training and technical assistance for officials based on their priorities and emerging needs.
