Indigenous Peoples

Indigenous Peoples and the State in Guatemala: Dialogue, Consensus and What Remains

The opening of the 2026 Central America Donors Forum (CADF) focused on joint responses to shrinking civic spaces and democratic backsliding in the region. Adriana Beltrán inaugurated the event, celebrating organizational resilience under the theme “Adaptation in Action.” During the session, Presidential Undersecretary Mónica Mazariegos and Indigenous leader Milvian Aspuac analyzed Guatemala’s political transition under the Arévalo administration, highlighting the significance of monthly assemblies with ancestral authorities at the National Palace.

Both speakers discussed legislative progress, including the reform of Article 30-B of the Organic Budget Law, which now allows the state to invest public funds in communal lands. However, Aspuac noted that formidable historical barriers remain, citing the ongoing persecution of land defenders and deep distrust toward economic ministries. The session concluded by emphasizing that free, prior, and informed consent is a fundamental, non-negotiable right for building true social justice in the country.

Democracy

Democratic Infrastructure for Civil Society in Central America

We are facing a paradigm shift in the work of defending human rights and building democratic infrastructure. This new reality has been marked by persecution, financial contraction, authoritarianism, and internal burnout. Panelists agreed that collaborative work is essential to taking meaningful action. In light of these technological and political shifts, the speakers highlighted the need to reconnect with local territories and audiences, listen to their needs, and produce knowledge grounded in their lived realities. Finally, they underscored the importance of trust-based philanthropy, fostering autonomy, and taking a long-term approach when addressing today’s challenges.

Security & Democracy

Beyond Control: A Conversation on Democratic Security

Why has the idea that democracy is an obstacle to security taken root? What can civil society, journalism, and philanthropy do about it? This conversation began by addressing a disconnect: violence has decreased in several countries, but the public does not perceive it. This gap fuels support for authoritarian solutions, especially where there is already a deep distrust of institutions, such as in Guatemala. In response, panelists argued that security is built through in-depth investigations, independent institutions, prevention, and tracking criminal money. While there are success stories, they are not being shared; therefore, taking action is not enough—we must also become better storytellers. Within this framework, philanthropic organizations were urged to support institutions that restore public trust by solving serious crimes, a press that exposes corruption, and a civil society that champions these processes.

Well-being

Beyond Skills: The Socioemotional as Infrastructure

Participants discussed the modern reality facing Central American youth, including rising living costs, violence, and the perception of migration as the only viable option for survival. This panel challenged the misconception that there are no domestic opportunities and that institutions are uninterested in helping young people, while still analyzing why youth look abroad. Discussions highlighted flaws in a social infrastructure that prioritizes financial success over emotional maturity. This imbalance causes low self-esteem, disconnects from youth realities, and unfair assumptions about their lack of ambition. Analyzed through a gender lens, the conversation noted that women face distinct challenges, often burdened with caregiving while putting their own well-being last. The panelists concluded that young people need holistic development that looks beyond income-generating skills, emphasizing that youth must be heard and supported to achieve happiness and emotional fulfillment.

Financing

When the Funds Don’t Return: Self-Financing for a Resilient Civil Society

The panelists shared adaptation and innovation strategies for thriving in today’s reality, which is marked by corruption, unstable economies, and weakening human rights. They discussed what “adaptability” means for their respective organizations and shared personal experiences that shaped their approach to administrative adaptation. The speakers candidly discussed their successes as well as the failures that resulted in significant financial losses. They also explained how they leveraged various media formats to build brand recognition and positioning on both a regional and international scale. Finally, they emphasized the need to manage resources efficiently to optimize operations without neglecting social responsibility. They highlighted a shared duty to consider the broader impact of institutional decisions, noting that mutual support is not a competitive disadvantage, but rather a strategic approach that strengthens the entire sector.

Economic Autonomy

Economic Justice to Sustain Life and Territories in Central America

The panelists discussed the appropriation and lack of recognition of women weavers’ work, highlighted by constant price haggling and their displacement by machines. They also addressed the impact of migration on those left behind. Specifically, they noted how Indigenous women often take on disproportionate roles to fill the voids left by emigrating family members, and they questioned the root causes driving this migration. Furthermore, the speakers traced the history of textiles from a basic need for warmth to a cornerstone of the Mayan woman’s economy. This shift has unfortunately led to cultural appropriation and exploitation, exacerbating violence and inequality in the labor and resource distribution among Indigenous women. Finally, they challenged the narrative of female empowerment when it merely masks the overburdening of women who are forced to assume extra household and community responsibilities due to the absence of those who have migrated.

LGBTIQ+ Youth

Building Bridges to Protect: Toward Organized Tenderness for LGBTIQ+ Youth

A panel of four experts in LGBTIQ+ rights discussed the safeguarding of LGBTIQ+ youth, particularly trans children and adolescents. They addressed the specific needs of these youth, the responses from authorities, and the efforts of advocacy organizations alongside the legal limitations they face. The panel questioned what is truly required to drive systemic change, evaluating current methodologies and the harsh realities ignored by the state regarding trans youth protection. Discussions highlighted how families can often be the primary aggressors, pointing to “conversion” practices by relatives and churches regardless of their legality. They also explored how rigid school norms impose gender ideologies that leave trans children vulnerable due to state negligence. The session concluded that embracing and teaching diversity is paramount for protecting children, both behind closed doors at home and in public spaces such as schools, hospitals, and essential services.

Journalism

Telling Stories Differently: Constructive Journalism and New Narratives in Central America

A forum organized by Oxfam and the digital media outlet Quorum opened the debate on the importance of transforming traditional narratives about Central America, championing constructive journalism focused on human rights and real solutions. Participants questioned simplistic coverage that promotes polarization and erases the region’s historical context. During the session, Pía Flores and Gabriela Melgar facilitated an exchange that validated the value of digital and community media in reflecting diversity and grassroots organizational capacity. For her part, Jeanelly Vásquez highlighted that the greatest challenge today is combating misinformation on social media through active listening directly within neighborhoods. The panelists concluded that journalism must go beyond merely denouncing precarious conditions; its true mission is to highlight viable proposals for change and generate content that inspires and mobilizes civic dialogue.

Rural Leadership

Women Cultivating the Future: Voices from the Territory

These panelists shared their experiences as women and their evolving roles within their communities. They discussed how women’s participation has expanded beyond traditional expectations to include the planting, harvesting, and selling of various regional crops. The speakers highlighted the challenges they face with buyers and how they are frequently underestimated in the agricultural sector, often denied fair prices and receiving little recognition for the labor involved in tending to their own crops.

Furthermore, they highlighted the progress and shifting role of women within male-dominated sectors like livestock farming. They noted that women are gradually taking on more comprehensive roles within the industry, prioritizing farm productivity and generating essential income for their families. The panelists expressed their gratitude to the organizations that have supported their determination, business ventures, and leadership, particularly through training on how to create value-added products using raw materials from their harvests. They concluded that overcoming timidity and stepping outside of your comfort zone is essential for growth, regardless of your circumstances.

Education & Employment

What Convinces a Donor? The Logic Behind Investing in Education and Employment in Central America

The panel analyzed the motivations driving investment in education and employment in Central America. Mauricio Miranda explained the Caricaco Foundation’s pay-for-results model in Costa Rica, noting that their main challenges have been building trust with the public sector and designing clear financial incentives that prioritize vulnerable populations. Representing the PriceSmart Foundation, Angie Benza advocated for a strategy rooted in trust and flexible, long-term support. Through this approach, they collaborate with local organizations to co-create realistic goals and directly support women-led businesses to reduce job insecurity. Finally, Bayron Salas outlined the CRUSA Foundation’s evolution into a systemic catalyst. He emphasized that to advance emerging agendas like the Silver Economy for older adults, donors must stop funding isolated projects and fully commit to addressing the root causes of systemic problems.

Democracy

Democracies from the Territories: Organization, Alliances, and Hope

The ways in which democracy is exercised from the territories, as shared in this panel, demonstrate how community organization has long existed and continues to persist, even when not recognized on a national level. Suany Sic Alvarado, a representative from San Mateo, Quetzaltenango, shared that in her municipality, they invite youth and children to think alongside adults about new ways to support the common good of their community. Evamaría Asunción shared her experience as a cultural representative, the cultural weight she carries, and the triumphs and adversities she has faced to be heard as a young Indigenous woman. Josué Morales emphasized his reflections on Guatemala’s historical context, the survival of community mindsets, and the intrinsic value of memory held within these forms of organization and roles, such as grandfathers, grandmothers, and ancestral authorities.

Education

From Evidence to Action: School Leadership and Regional Collaboration in Latin America

In this fishbowl-style session, panelists shared their success stories in cultivating school leadership, covering everything from delegating administrative tasks to building networks among organizations tackling the same issues. The interactive format allowed the wider group to share their own experiences, emphasizing that school principals are not isolated actors, but rather the central pillar of school dynamics. Additionally, participants addressed ongoing challenges such as school dropout rates, illiteracy, and the contrasting pressures and burdens faced by the public and private education systems.

Employment

Skills Development for Decent Employment of Priority Populations

This panel, moderated by Javier Cabañero, analyzed skills development for accessing decent employment in Guatemala within the framework of the European Union’s Global Gateway strategy. The speakers agreed that for training programs to succeed, the traditional logic must change: we must first listen to the actual needs of businesses before designing courses. Along these lines, Víctor Aplícano highlighted the importance of offering personalized training and certifications that consider each person’s starting point. Meanwhile, Moisés Mérida and Eunice Martínez pointed out that methodologies must be flexible and adapted to each territory, prioritizing human and communication skills over purely technical ones. Regarding inclusion, Alba Coyote emphasized the impact of removing age and educational requirements to empower rural Indigenous women. Lastly, Johnny Hernández demonstrated how supporting microenterprises and women’s entrepreneurship are key drivers for generating sustainable income and new local jobs.

Youth & Agriculture

Seeds of Hope, Harvests of Change

This group of young leaders opened a dialogue regarding agroecological initiatives currently being implemented across Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador. They are driven by a profound commitment to give back the knowledge they have acquired to those who imparted it: their communities and the land itself. The discussion covered the use of technological tools to make informed decisions about harvests, the ongoing push for environmental education, and ways to build resilience against climate events through agroforestry systems or the installation of elevated water reservoirs. They also explored practical sustainability models for producers, such as agroecological markets.

Technology

Digital Transformation with Social Impact: Strengthening Social Organizations and Communities with Technology

Why is digital transformation important for social organizations? How can we transition from isolated projects to sustainable, replicable models? What role do public policies, financing, and alliances play? This panel argued that the digital divide is not limited to access: many organizations supporting their communities lack the tools, processes, and guidance needed for internal management and impact measurement. Therefore, participants pointed out that funding must include capacity building, and civil society must be involved in the entire public policy cycle, from design to evaluation. The experiences shared demonstrated that technology is most effective when resources and solutions are adapted to the specific needs of each community and territory. Finally, the panel emphasized the need for trust-based alliances, long-term programs that build enduring capacity, and an active civil society involved in technological design and AI governance.

Well-being & Alliances

Defending Rights and Civic Space: Well-being, Alliances, and Innovation

This fishbowl session was divided into two parts: the first focused on well-being and care, and the second on alliances and coordination, with innovation serving as a cross-cutting theme throughout. Regarding well-being and care, participants discussed the challenge of integrating the Mayan worldview, as many organizations operate from a predominantly Western perspective. They also highlighted the differences in supporting female versus male human rights defenders, noting that men often prefer interventions other than psychological counseling. On the topic of alliances and coordination, the panel emphasized that networking is vital—from monitoring attacks to joining forces on transitional justice cases. They concluded that communicating with other organizations to better manage resources is essential for achieving the best possible outcomes.

Elections

Guatemala 2027: Mapping Electoral Risks

What are the main risks for the 2027 elections, and how prepared is the Supreme Electoral Tribunal? First, this mapping exercise identified local risks: the departmental development councils manage 15.425 billion quetzales, but have executed only 25% of it, leaving the remaining balance highly exposed to capture and clientelism. Compounding this is electoral violence, which follows a predictable cycle, as well as disinformation fostered by concentrated media ownership. This disinformation aims to delegitimize the electoral referee in a country where 60% of the population already distrusts elections. Exclusion also persists: in 2023, women made up 54% of the voter registry but held only about 13% of elected offices, and there are over 2 million unregistered youth. Given that the Supreme Electoral Tribunal enters this period weakened and short on time, it was recommended that they apply uniform criteria for candidacies, activate violence prevention roundtables early, and begin observing the process from the moment the election is officially called. Despite these challenges, the panel urged against pessimism: the democratic recovery is advancing, though it remains vulnerable and must be safeguarded.

Climate Change

Loss and Damage: Participatory Approaches to Documenting the Impact of Climate Change

This session analyzed the regional impacts of the climate crisis using Amali Tower’s methodological guide. Alex Morse noted that historical poverty magnifies these impacts, detailing how extreme droughts from May to July 2026 were detected via the Fusnet satellite system. Representatives from Guatemala, Nicaragua, and Honduras shared alarming accounts of forest fires, water source depletion in Alta Verapaz, ocean acidification, and rising migration to Costa Rica.

Additionally, CWS, CASM, and Comunidad Cateyes presented an economic proposal for the Loss and Damage Fund targeting three Honduran municipalities. Data showed annual basic grain losses hitting $4.85 million. They also warned that water scarcity increases school dropout rates for girls, while agricultural debt triggers domestic violence. The forum concluded by urging the decentralization of international climate funds to ensure they reach communities directly instead of large global NGOs.

Digital Security

Digital Security for Civil Society: Key Guidelines for Activists and Journalists

How can activists and journalists protect their communications? What structural barriers limit digital security? Digital security depends, first and foremost, on understanding the business models of tech platforms. For example, while WhatsApp uses a secure protocol, it lacks Signal’s mission-driven commitment and is motivated by corporate incentives to capture data. Therefore, in high-risk contexts, panelists recommended using lower-cost, open-source tools and applications explicitly designed for activists. Furthermore, structural barriers compound these issues—such as zero-rating, which restricts access to a tiny fraction of the internet, and a reliance on services that change their terms of use after hoarding data. The panel stressed that there is no single solution, but rather complex, multi-level responses that must include public policy. Ultimately, security was framed as a culture: even during in-person meetings, it is advisable to leave phones in another room and approach risk with mindful awareness.

Journalism

Journalism Under Siege: The Testimony of José Rubén Zamora

Renowned journalist José Rubén Zamora recounted the high personal and professional cost he has paid for investigating state corruption in Guatemala. During his speech, he detailed enduring threats, attacks, and prolonged pretrial detention intended to silence him. Zamora stated that his imprisonment served to unmask the Guatemalan state, which he described as a criminal structure captured by intelligence mafias and drug traffickers. The journalist attributed his survival and current conditional freedom to the constant international pressure exerted by press and human rights organizations. In closing, he called on the international community to ensure long-term, flexible funding for independent journalism, guarantee legal defense for those who have been criminalized alongside their families, and coordinate a regional approach to combat criminal networks.

Human Rights

Protecting Those Who Defend: An Interview with the UN Special Rapporteur

Honduran journalist Jennifer Ávila of Contracorriente interviewed Andrea Bolaños, the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, exploring how international mandates address the criminalization and persecution of these advocates. Bolaños clarified that international mandates complement state protection, as states bear the primary responsibility for ensuring the protection and respect of human rights. When state protection fails and international measures fall short, Bolaños emphasized the importance of being on the ground and maintaining a constructive dialogue with the stakeholders involved. Furthermore, in light of new dynamics that precede criminalization, such as stigmatization on social media, the role of tech platform owners and authoritarian governments has been called into question. Given this context, it is essential to consider how to accurately communicate the work of human rights defenders and shift the current narrative surrounding human rights.

Authoritarianism

Democracy in Dispute: Youth, Anti-Democratic Networks, and Action Strategies

How do youth view democracy? Who comprises anti-democratic networks, and how is democracy contested? Democracy faces a paradox: we must defend institutions that fail to deliver adequate participation, representation, or results. Furthermore, youth show ambivalence: in El Salvador, 76% accept limiting rights for security, while in Honduras, 70% would tolerate authoritarianism if social rights were guaranteed. This occurs amid economic precariousness and digital environments that heavily shape perceptions. Meanwhile, in Guatemala, actors with divergent interests align without a formal pact to sustain counter-majoritarian politics, falsely blaming democracy for insecurity and poverty. Their power relies on brute force rather than sophistication. In response, panelists proposed listening to citizens, building an independent agenda, and regulating digital spaces. Ultimately, they urged a fundamental rethinking of the kind of democracy the region truly needs.

Adaptation

Resilience and Reinvention: Organizations and Donors Find New Paths in Times of Crisis

The panelists discussed and shared the evolutionary and adaptive processes they implemented within their organizations prior to the current situations in their respective countries, which allowed them to be better prepared for subsequent events. Each panelist shared an anecdotal case study from their organization where, as leaders, they were forced to confront their existing methodologies and protocols to forge a new path during these crises. They described how the circumstances of the time were key drivers of the crises their organizations experienced, generating both direct and indirect consequences. They spoke candidly about their mixed feelings as leaders having to make drastic decisions to ensure the safety of their people, even if it meant temporarily setting organizational goals aside. They also shared the severe economic hardships that forced them to completely restructure how they worked—from altering their work environments to taking on debt with outside entities—all with the sole intention of surviving the crisis.

Youth

Central American Youth Weaving Community in Authoritarian Times

What drives people to participate and build community? What role does care play in youth organizing? Facing funding cuts and political persecution, youth organizations have primarily responded through coordination. Creative initiatives like Cuerpos Libres and Alharaca’s journalism workshop unite people across countries, forging community through shared values and skills. These bonds extend beyond the workshops—one podcast is already in its second season. Furthermore, working with institutions demands listening, patience, shared responsibility, and recognizing the human behind every title. These alliances are sustained through care: rest, celebration, safe spaces, and the freedom to choose whether to participate, a choice understood as a political statement. Ultimately, participants stressed that this work needs resources to continue growing with dignity.

Citizen Participation

Bridges for Participation and Representation in Central America

How has citizen participation and representation changed in Central America? What can the international community contribute beyond funding? First, citizen participation in Central America has progressed in terms of openness: electoral reforms, consultation mechanisms, and a greater presence of women, youth, and Indigenous peoples. However, expectations are growing faster than institutional capacity, while corruption and impunity erode trust. Furthermore, democracy is not just about voting; it requires dialogue, transparency, and clear results. Guatemala offers a prime example: the 2023 mobilizations showcased an active civil society, albeit one exposed to criminalization. Given this landscape, participants suggested that cooperation must go beyond funding to protect institutions, build bridges between stakeholders, and support inclusion. Finally, a clear mandate was proposed: vote, dialogue, demand, and influence.

El Salvador

Voices of Resistance: Mothers for Freedom in El Salvador

This strategic roundtable “Voices of Resistance” highlighted the humanitarian and economic impact of El Salvador’s state of exception since 2022, a period that has already seen over 92,000 detentions without due process. During the session, the Madres por la Libertad collective, made up of women from rural and Indigenous communities, shared how the arrest of their households’ primary breadwinners has torn their families apart. This situation has forced them to work up to three shifts a day to afford the food and hygiene packages required for inmates, which cost $109 per month. The spokeswomen condemned the lack of official information, the absence of individual trials, and the denial of proof of life for their husbands and sons, which is taking a severe toll on their physical and emotional health. Despite the social stigma, insults, and smear campaigns directed at them, the movement reaffirmed its commitment to exhausting all national and international avenues to demand family visits, fair trials, and the release of their innocent relatives.

Civic Space

Democratic Security: Civic Space and Protection in Authoritarian Contexts

During this session, participants analyzed the profound democratic security crisis affecting Central America, driven by the closing of civic spaces and the rise of authoritarianism. For instance, the Nicaraguan regime has shut down 5,229 civil organizations, forcing activists and human rights defenders to reorganize in exile to continue documenting and exposing crimes against humanity. Presentations warned that this authoritarianism now operates transnationally, threatening host countries like Costa Rica through espionage, local networks, and hitmen targeting political refugees. Faced with overwhelmed and underfunded international protection systems, civil organizations are leading the resistance via dialogue roundtables, translation support for exiled Indigenous peoples, and technical training. Finally, speakers emphasized that international cooperation must respond by offering expertise in complex criminal investigations and diplomatic channels to protect persecuted individuals.

Economy

Breaking the Inertia: Towards a New Economic Development Model

The panelists discussed the reality of how, despite having a fairly stable currency, Guatemala has been unable to improve economically because the conditions establishing this “stability” are unnatural within the system. They questioned the decisions made by those in power who control monetary flows and the various regional capacities that should be managed. Furthermore, they analyzed infrastructure gaps, noting that the lack of access to services, education, healthcare, and digital connectivity deepens the exclusion of vast rural and Indigenous territories, creating high vulnerability. Guatemala’s economy is heavily dependent on remittances, creating a major vulnerability for the country. Therefore, an inclusive economy was proposed as a more viable solution, providing real opportunities to those who wish to participate but lack the resources to do so. Finally, they identified artificial intelligence as a threat to inclusive production and emphasized that companies must be more conscious of enabling participation within their projects and workforce.

Climate Change

Climate Mobility: From Regional Commitment to Territorial Action

In a discussion about an emerging issue, the panelists addressed responses and policies surrounding climate mobility, as well as its causes and effects. Acknowledging that climate mobility is deeply rooted in inequality and the denial of basic rights, they emphasized the need to rethink how projects are funded. Furthermore, collaborations between organizations and cross-border policies are striving to find ways to involve communities in the solution and ensure that mobility is approached with dignity.

Conservation

From the Territory: Innovations of Rural Women in the MAR

Although combining women’s empowerment with environmental conservation might seem unusual, this panel made the connection clear. The panelists explained the challenges they faced when assuming leadership positions and breaking traditional gender roles. Ultimately, it is impossible to separate the protection of biodiversity from improving women’s living conditions, providing them with access to tangible benefits and strengthening their participation in governance processes. Through scholarship programs, support from international cooperation, and alliances with government initiatives, the panelists showcased true innovation on the ground.

Water

Trinational Governance of the Lempa River: A Commitment in Adverse Times

This session addressed the degradation and water stress affecting the Lempa River, a vital trinational basin that supplies millions of people, though its water quality has plummeted from good to poor in recent years. Panelists agreed that this is not merely a resource crisis, but a profound governance issue, exacerbated by authoritarian shifts, community exclusion, and centralized laws that stifle citizen participation, as seen in El Salvador. Despite the persecution of land defenders and the shrinking of civic spaces, the resistance of the Trinational Network for the Rescue of the Lempa River was highlighted. Finally, the conclusions emphasized that international cooperation must firmly condemn democratic backsliding and ensure that funds, such as those from debt swaps, flow directly to local territories rather than to extractive projects. Defending the Lempa is not just an environmental task; it is an ethical, political, and vital commitment to securing peace in Central America.

Community Innovation

Grassroots Adaptation: Communities and Youth Reinventing Social Change

This panel discussed how grassroots organizations in Central America are reinventing themselves in the face of violence, exclusion, and a lack of funding. Through testimonies and interactive activities, participants concluded that true adaptation involves returning to one’s roots and transforming philanthropy through care, affection, and mutual trust. It was emphasized that donors must act as true allies, offering flexible funding and respecting local autonomy, as solutions cannot be imposed from the outside. Experiences like those of EPRODEP in Guatemala and Warriors of the Nation in Honduras demonstrate that art, popular education, and a gender perspective save generations. The conclusion was clear: to confront hostile contexts, the debate is not only about what to change, but also which historical knowledge and memories of resistance must be defended.

Exile

Beyond Exile: Leadership and Innovation from the Central American Diaspora

What does it mean to rebuild your life in another country after a forced exile? How can an exiled community organize to continue making a contribution? First and foremost, exile entails a profound rupture: the loss of employment, family, and community, the language barrier, and an emotional toll that is managed through spiritual support and solidarity. Additionally, for prosecutors, judges, and civil servants, their degrees and professional backgrounds are not automatically recognized. In response to this scenario, Justice in Exile emerged—created by and for exiled individuals—along with a professional cooperative that seeks to generate its own income, reduce donor dependence, and offer reliable services to a diaspora vulnerable to scams. Its model, which does not depend on immigration status, is replicable. While the desire to return persists, there are currently no guarantees for a safe return. Finally, the audience highlighted that exile is not just an individual problem, but a societal one.

Funds & Alliances

Finding Abundance: How to Create, Join, and Fund Thematic Networks

This strategic roundtable presented a solution to the problems with current funding models, which are largely based on competition and fragmentation. Instead, it proposed a model rooted in collaboration and trust. Networks and pooled funds provide value far beyond mere financial resources; they strengthen organizations, generate collective learning, connect stakeholders, and channel efforts directly to communities. For this approach to work, a shared purpose, transparent communication, and horizontal relationships between organizations and donors are essential. This model does not inherently create a heavier workload, as it prioritizes safeguarding the time and capacities of those making the work possible. Ultimately, successful collaboration requires acknowledging and managing power dynamics, as well as potential internal conflicts.

Inclusive Economies

Development Banks, Government, and Communities in Guatemala on Rural Access, Education, and Inclusive Economies

Rural infrastructure should not be understood solely as construction, but rather as a means to improve people’s lives and connect communities with opportunities, services, and markets. These roads reduce travel times and costs, improve safety, and facilitate access to healthcare, energy, food, and other essential services. Development strategies must be rooted in these needs, recognizing that roads are a fundamental component of economic infrastructure. They connect production with value chains and national markets, while also generating employment.

Legal Empowerment

Adaptation with Power: Strategic Legal Alliances to Strengthen Communities and Defenders

The panelists provided various resources for participants to use during the interactive session. They explained what a development project entails and the challenges faced within communities, particularly the lack of awareness regarding when to seek legal support. Each panelist shared their organization’s methodology for approaching and collaborating with communities, while also outlining the unique social, political, and legal challenges in their respective countries. The discussion covered the dynamics of human rights defense in Central America and the influence of corporations, noting that corporate interests and business leaders are often prioritized over labor and civic rights. They outlined how companies ought to respond to crises and the needs of citizens. Finally, they demonstrated how to build community-centered alliances, aiming for optimal communication and comprehensive solutions where projects are mutually agreed upon.

Digital Security

Digital Security for Civil Society: Key Guidelines for Activists and Journalists

How do you decide what to prioritize when funding is cut? What role do teams, finances, and care play in media sustainability? First, the session proposed that sustaining a media outlet is not just about finding another donor: adding revenue streams without a strategy simply increases the workload and stress of already reduced teams. Therefore, through a team design exercise, media outlets assigned roles and revenue percentages, proving that prioritizing also means deciding what to cut. Furthermore, evidence from over ten years of SembraMedia research shows that diversifying roles, such as finance, sales, and marketing, boosts revenue streams. Additionally, participants were advised to calculate direct and structural costs, including leadership compensation. Finally, in high-risk contexts, the need for security, prevention, and exile protocols was emphasized, as two out of three journalists currently lack them.