• SUSTAINABLE INFRASTRUCTURE
  • SECURITY, RECONSTRUCTION AND PEACE
  • SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
  • GOVERNANCE AND DEMOCRACY
  • ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE

Guatemala

GIZ local staff

National employees: 87
International employees: 9
Development workers: 5

(as at: 31.12.2022)  

The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH has been active in Guatemala since 1978.

The peace accords in 1996 ended 36 years of armed conflict in Guatemala. Since then, the country has been working to introduce reforms, but continues to face challenges, such as further advancing good governance and the rule of law. The expansion of public services, more targeted use of funds and the promotion of social dialogue are needed to foster a peaceful and inclusive society.

Guatemala is also affected by the impacts of climate change. Extreme weather events are increasingly common and hit rural communities especially hard. Many are already having to contend with the loss of  crops. Measures are needed to adapt agriculture to the impacts of climate change.

In addition to these challenges, the improvement of public education is also crucial to Guatemala’s sustainable development. Young people require more targeted support in this area and better preparation for social and professional life.

GIZ primarily works on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) in Guatemala. The core areas of the cooperation are:

  • Good governance and equal rights
  • Environment and climate change
  • Education

The environment and climate change are another focus of the cooperation. GIZ is helping the country to adapt agriculture to climate change and supporting the careful use of natural resources. For the conservation of biodiversity, especially the benefits and usability of nature, GIZ is relying on nature-based solutions, such as the collection of rainwater for irrigation. Vulnerable communities and their natural surroundings are therefore better equipped to deal with the effects of climate change.

GIZ is working together with the Ministry of Education on reforming schooling in Guatemala and adapting it more specifically to living conditions. In secondary schools, more social, cultural, business and democratic content is better preparing young people for the labour market and social life.

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