Over a year into the Thriving and Advancing in Intermediary Cities project in San Marcos, Guatemala, the initiative is delivering significant outcomes in building economic resilience, expanding educational opportunities, and promoting gender equality among vulnerable populations at risk of migration.
The project, led by Inter-American Dialogue with support from Cities Alliance and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), collaborates with local stakeholders to ensure these efforts have lasting impacts, particularly through initiatives in financial inclusion, extracurricular education, environmental management, and dialogue on migration and remittances. Some of the key results to date include:
Financial education and inclusion to empower women
Financial education forms, informs, and transforms the way goals are set and financial decisions are made. The project has provided personalized financial advice to over 28,000 people, with a special emphasis on women, who have improved the management of their personal and family finances. This strategy has formalize over USD 5 million in savings, and fostered the responsible use of more than USD 12 million mobilized in credit products, creating a solid foundation for sustainable economic growth in these communities.
Extracurricular education with a pre-professional and business focus
Education is a fundamental pillar for human and economic development. In this context, the project has implemented the B’etil Diploma in eleven middle schools, helping over 2,000 students (53 per cent of them women) develop skills in communication, financial literacy, and waste management. Using a dynamic, participatory approach that fosters creativity and innovation, the program prepares young people for the job market or entrepreneurship. B’etil, which means 'to advance' or 'to move forward' in Mam, a Mayan language spoken in Guatemala, reflects the diploma's mission of promoting progress and pre-professional preparation.
Environmental management for a sustainable future
Environmental management is a key component of the project, aimed at fostering a healthy and sustainable environment. Through a communication strategy focused on improving waste management habits, the project has engaged San Marcos communities in activities such as drawing contests, eco fairs, and reforestation days to promote good environmental practices. These efforts are complemented by awareness campaigns in 18 schools and door-to-door outreach, all designed to educate and inspire long-lasting, positive changes in environmental management throughout the municipality.
Promoting dialogue and collaboration on migration and remittances
One of the most pressing challenges facing the region is irregular migration. The project has focused on sharing lessons and experiences on how to mitigate this issue by creating and strengthening local economic and educational opportunities. Activities have been organized to promote dialogue and collaboration among social and political actors, discussing recent migration trends and analysing the positive impact of remittances on development. These efforts lay the groundwork for designing effective policies that enhance the quality of life for the population and address the root causes of migration, particularly concerning unaccompanied minors.
The Prosperity and Progress in Intermediate Cities project demonstrates the impact of collaboration among international organizations, local institutions, and communities in driving sustainable change. By focusing on gender equity, education, and environmental management, the initiative addresses root causes of migration, creating lasting opportunities and laying the groundwork for a more equitable and resilient future for vulnerable populations in San Marcos.
