Guatemala

As of 2015, we have been indirectly active in the country through a regional knowledge management project in Central America’s cocoa sector. In 2016, we started implementing another regional knowledge management project directed at the horticulture sector.

Sustainable Cocoa and Coffee programme highlights for 2024

Our partner cooperative APODIP is constructing a cocoa liquor and paste plant to process 300 tons annually, from its own members as well as from other cooperatives. APODIP obtained a $550,000 loan from Oiko Credit. Rikolto supported APODIP in due diligence processes, strengthening its administrative systems, amongst others by investing in key accounting software and compliance with good manufacturing practices. Buyer Éthiquable has been providing technical advice and supporting APODIP to develop new products for the local market. An advisory council, including Rikolto, Éthiquable, Oikocredit, Heifer and Fundación Defensores de la Naturaleza, was formed to provide technical guidance and monitor fund use.

Good Food for Cities programme highlights for 2024

In Sololá, "Agroclimatic Data for You" on the radio! By broadcasting weather forecasts on the radio in K'iche', Kaqchikel Che, Cachiquel and Spanish, Rikolto and partners aimed to reach 54,500 farmers belonging to diverse indigenous groups, potentially improving their decision-making in crop management. In parallel, also in Sololá, in the area surrounding Lake Atitlán, an Integrated Landscape Management (ILM) approach is supporting community commitments to sustainable wastewater treatment and natural resource management. In Santa Lucía and Utatlán, we are working with the youth-led farmers' organisation AJPU to improve access to healthy, safe food for schools. AJPU also supplies vegetables to restaurants and schools, reaching around 1,000 children.