Educating to Conserve

Partner: Asociación Amigos Del Lago De Atitlán, Guatemala

“Educating to Conserve” is a well-established and recognized program within the educational community of Guatemala, particularly in the department of Sololá. The program aims to strengthen the technical capacities of teachers in the proper use of educational materials and to promote best practices among students and the broader school community.

In parallel with efforts to enhance environmental education, AALA runs a Youth Diploma Program in Leadership and Environmental Management in Lake Atitlán.

This initiative encourages students, teachers, and community leaders to develop the skills and knowledge needed to contribute meaningfully to community-level initiatives and to analyze the specific socio-environmental needs of their communities.

The diploma program is structured into two cycles and includes five thematic modules. In 2024, twelve training sessions were held over twelve weeks, benefiting 167 young participants from 15 municipalities.

As a result, 16 youth-led project proposals with a social and environmental focus were developed. Two standout youth entrepreneurship projects were awarded seed funding to support their implementation.