Guatemala

CISP has been active in Guatemala since 1996 and for over 25 years in Honduras, implementing projects and initiatives also in Nicaragua, El Salvador, and Belize. Founded in Italy in 1982-83, CISP has established a strong presence in Latin America, focusing its expertise on the challenges of rural development, territorial governance, natural resource management, social inclusion, and institutional innovation. 

The organization has built a solid and diversified local presence, with a permanent office in Guatemala’s capital and multiple operational hubs set up according to project needs, ensuring close proximity to communities and continuous technical guidance. 

CISP relies on a highly specialized team with proven experience across various sectors of intervention, supported by a pool of national and international experts who can be deployed based on the specific requirements of each initiative. 

All operations are carried out in coordination with the Latin America and the Caribbean Directorate, ensuring institutional consistency and technical quality. From a managerial perspective, CISP operates under a Management System aligned with international standards of transparency, accountability, and risk management—including financial risks. The technical and financial administration of projects is managed through the GONG ERP, a platform that guarantees full traceability and comprehensive control. Additionally, the Innovation Office for Latin America and the Caribbean, based in Medellín, Colombia, develops technological tools, monitoring methodologies, and e-learning services, driving operational efficiency and institutional innovation. 

CISP’s Main Areas of Expertise in Guatemala 

CISP promotes economic and social development processes in rural and border territories, strengthening the capacities of communities and local authorities to plan, manage, and administer their own development. Actions in this sector include: 

• Technical assistance for the design and implementation of territorial development plans. 
• Promotion of sustainable and inclusive productive models. 
• Institutional strengthening of municipal associations (mancomunidades) and local governments. 
• Promotion of cross-border cooperation for the joint management of resources and services. 

These initiatives contribute to local economic revitalization, improved territorial governance, and the reduction of inequalities in rural areas. 

Climate Change and Environmental Management 

In response to the country’s environmental and climate challenges, CISP implements projects focused on climate change adaptation, ecosystem conservation, and the sustainable management of natural resources. Interventions include: 

• Creation and strengthening of local climate adaptation mechanisms. 
• Ecological restoration of protected areas and degraded zones. 
• Promotion of agroecological practices and sustainable forest management. 
• Technical capacity building for local authorities and communities. 

CISP particularly supports rural municipal associations in implementing sustainable environmental policies, contributing to territorial resilience against climate change. 

Education, Inclusion, and Human Development 

Grounded in a rights-based approach, CISP drives programs aimed at strengthening inclusive education, social participation, and human capacity building as fundamental pillars of sustainable progress. Its main lines of work in this sector are: 

• Support for educational and training processes with an intercultural and gender perspective. 
• Fostering the participation of civil society organizations in public policies. 
• Promotion of social equity and inclusion of historically excluded groups: women, youth, indigenous peoples, and rural communities. 

These actions aim to guarantee equitable development opportunities and reinforce the social fabric as the foundation for sustainable development. 

Governance and Institutional Strengthening 

CISP considers democratic governance as a cross-cutting axis in all its interventions. Through technical and institutional support, it fosters public management capacities, transparency, and coordination between different levels of government and civil society. Key actions include: 

• Technical assistance to local and national institutions. 
• Creation of intersectoral spaces for coordination and policy dialogue. 
• Fostering public-private partnerships for sustainable development. 
• Promotion of participatory planning and accountability tools. 

These initiatives strengthen democratic institutions and foster territorial cooperation as a cornerstone of local governance. 

Research, Innovation, and Scientific Cooperation 

CISP promotes applied research as a tool for decision-making and the design of sustainable public policies. With the support of universities, research centers, and European partners, it fosters knowledge exchange and the generation of technical evidence on rural development, climate change, and education. Main lines of action: 

• Implementation of applied research projects. 
• Systematization and dissemination of best practices. 
• Strengthening academic and scientific cooperation networks between Europe and Latin America. 

www.cispalc.org