The western region of Guatemala includes some of the poorest rural communities in the country. The main goal of this programme is to reduce poverty levels in five departments in the region and integrate the poorest rural communities into the mainstream of social and economic development. The participants include smallholder and landless farmers, and micro-entrepreneurs and artisans.

The programme reaches minority groups, particularly indigenous populations with low educational levels and very limited access to productive resources. Education and skills training, with support for micro-enterprise management and marketing, constitute a main component of the programme. In addition, it provides bilingual services to ensure that all community members have equal opportunities to participate, so those who do not speak Spanish can be included. It also works to improve basic services, especially health and communications infrastructure, and offers training in natural resource management.

Other specific goals include:

• Strengthening self-management of community organizations and institutions that support rural development
• Introducing a reproductive health programme for indigenous women
• Providing technical assistance to support agricultural and non-agricultural enterprises
• Developing conflict resolution activities in rural communities
• Financing infrastructure projects such as small-scale irrigation, marketing infrastructure and rural road maintenance
• Ensuring that women have access to all programme opportunities.

Source: IFAD