Resist, Bridge & Rebuild

The Central America Donors Forum (CADF) returns to Guatemala in a world marked by growing uncertainty and rapid change. As the Central America region grapples with weakening democracies, the destructive impacts of climate change and increasing funding instability, the need for strategic adaptation has never been more urgent.  

Under this year’s theme, Resist, Bridge & Rebuild in Times of Change, attendees will gather over two days to design and share solutions to protect democracy and the rule of law, invest in sustainable environmental action, create economic opportunities and address sustainable resource mobilization that protects civic space. 

Join hundreds of civil society, philanthropic, corporate and government leaders and experts on October 6-7 to advance development and adaptation efforts in Central America. 

Protecting Democracy & the Rule of Law

Democracies are under threat in Central America from a variety of actors. As authoritarianism continues to rise, unchecked political ambition, corruption and the weakening of democratic institutions in the region have led to reduced access to public information, the erosion of the rule of law, shrinking civic space, and increased threats and attacks on civil society leaders and human rights defenders. Furthermore, international cooperation to buttress democracy has sharply declined. 

In response to this crisis, panels and workshops at CADF 2025 will analyze factors contributing to growing authoritarianism and evaluate initiatives to counter these trends. Topics include fighting systemic corruption, defending human rights, monitoring the region’s faltering justice systems, and evaluating electoral processes. Speakers will discuss strategies for countering authoritarian tendencies and efforts to strengthen the rule of law, good governance, independent media and protections for human rights advocates.  

Investing in Environmental Action

Central America’s environment is experiencing profound challenges. From an expanding dry corridor and food vulnerability to rising sea levels and difficulty accessing water, environmental problems affect every aspect of the region’s wellbeing. Extractive industries, predatory and unregulated resource depletion and over-reliance on fossil fuels are among many factors impacting the health, livelihoods and culture of all Central Americans. Democratic weakness exacerbates the impacts of environmental decline and further undermines efforts to address climate change. 

Preserving and protecting its fragile environment are necessary to build a better future for Central America. This track is a space to explore innovative approaches from the technical and scientific, to solutions based in traditional and grassroots organizing among native peoples, Afro-descendants, and the Garifuna peoples. Urban approaches for addressing transportation, congestion, pollution, waste management through smart city initiatives and neighborhood organizing will also be considered. Finally, financing for environmental action is of upmost importance in this time of dramatic change. 

Creating Economic Opportunity

Central America stands at a crossroads of economic opportunity and pressing challenges. While limited job prospects and lack of economic mobility are powerful factors in migration decisions, shifts in global markets also present new possibilities for the region. This track will focus on how investment in job creation, skills development, and education can support the economic reintegration of returned migrants and lessen migration pressures driven by lack of opportunity. 

With global supply chains realigning, there is a critical need to foster an environment that attracts investment, promotes economic sustainability, and guarantees labor rights and descent working conditions. This track will convene experts, practitioners, investors, public officials, workers, and donors to explore strategies to leverage these global trends to build resilient economies, generate good jobs, and expand opportunities for inclusive growth across Central America. 

Preserving Civil Society Ecosystems

Amid shifting global dynamics, civil society faces a wide range of legal, political and security threats. Attacks on freedom of expression, efforts to stigmatize and silence activist narratives, and the sudden disappearance of funding sources have accelerated strategies used by antidemocratic leaders to weaken independent organizations. 

In response, concerted efforts by philanthropic foundations and international donors are vital to preserve civil society ecosystems and social movements that fight for justice and equality. Sessions in this track will address the ongoing funding crisis and turbulent policies affecting every facet of development in Central America today.