Altiplano Resiliente Project Most Recent Phase Concludes with Lasting Community Impact

EcoLogic is excited to share the successful conclusion of the most recent phase of the Altiplano Resiliente project, implemented in the heart of Totonicapán, Guatemala. This initiative is part of a broader effort led by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), with support from national partners and financial backing from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).

Since April 2023, the project has strengthened the resilience of ecosystems and communities in the highland watersheds of Guatemala's Altiplano. In close coordination with the Junta de Bienes y Recursos Naturales de los 48 Cantones, this initiative mobilized ancestral governance, local leadership, and innovative tools to protect natural resources and improve community well-being.

Tangible Impact, Rooted in Community

Over two years of implementation, the project achieved wide-ranging results:

• Conservation and forest governance: More than 11,200 hectares of coniferous communal forest were protected through coordinated fire prevention campaigns, 329 trained community members, and the certification of 30 forest firefighters. Regular patrols and technology-supported monitoring reduced illegal logging, especially of Pinabete (Abies guatemalensis), a native species at risk of extinction.

• Forest restoration and sustainable resource use: Through improved nurseries and community training, over 279,000 forest seedlings were produced, enabling the reforestation of 226 hectares and silvicultural management of an additional 20 hectares. A further 4 hectares were established with aliso trees to produce biomass for nursery operations sustainably.

• Household energy and environmental health: The installation of 585 fuel-efficient stoves has dramatically reduced firewood use, preventing the annual felling of over 6,600 trees, preserving an estimated 10 hectares of forest per year, and reducing smoke exposure for hundreds of families.

• Inclusive local leadership and youth empowerment: The project invested in the formation of 80 youth leaders, trained in ancestral knowledge, human rights, and climate resilience. These young leaders are now active voices in their communities, shaping decisions and driving environmental action.

• Support for women's entrepreneurship and food sovereignty: In the community of Caxaj, 10 women completed culinary certification and recovered the use of 12 native plant species. Equipped with kitchen infrastructure and supported through training, they are creating sustainable income opportunities linked to biodiversity and culture.

• Cultural revitalization and environmental education: Over 330 community members, especially women and youth, were trained in community values and environmental stewardship. Educational campaigns reached more than 7,800 people through video, and over 15,000 listeners through radio broadcasts in Spanish and K'iche'. More than 625 students benefited from teacher-led environmental education across the region.

These accomplishments not only demonstrate the power of community-led conservation but also lay the foundation for continued impact.

When Indigenous and rural communities lead, the results are transformative for people and for ecosystems.

The phase of the Altiplano Resiliente project reaffirms the strength of our model, which integrates ancestral knowledge, inclusive leadership, and nature-based solutions to address the climate crisis. As Mario Ardany de León, EcoLogic's Program Officer in Guatemala, explains, "this work is a powerful vote of confidence in the vision and capacity of the 48 Cantones. This project has shown that when Indigenous and rural communities lead, the results are transformative for people and for ecosystems."

We extend our deep appreciation to the communities of the 48 Cantones, our strategic partners including CONAP, INAB, Stove Team International, and local women's organizations, and to the funders who believe in and invest in this work.