New Cloud Forest Biological Corridor Candacuchex Launched in Guatemala

• CATIE receives recognition for its support through the PARES Project

As part of the celebration of the International Day for Biological Diversity, the official launch of the Cloud Forest Biological Corridor Candacuchex took place in San Pedro Sacatepéquez, in the department of San Marcos. This initiative aims to strengthen ecological connectivity and territorial resilience in western Guatemala.

The corridor is the result of a joint effort between the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (MARN), the National Council of Protected Areas (CONAP), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), local authorities, communities, and various territorial stakeholders.

In this context, CATIE (Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center), representing the Peace, Action, Resilience, and Sustainability in Latin American Landscapes Project (PARES), received institutional recognition for its support in strengthening the management of the biological corridor through funding provided to local organizations for the identification of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) aimed at the restoration and conservation of the territory. These actions include replanting, reforestation, and forest restoration; implementation of agroforestry systems; optimization of water use; soil conservation; risk management; and the promotion of regenerative agriculture, among other measures.

The Association for Western Cooperation Studies (ECO)—one of the 12 organizations benefiting from the PARES Project—is currently leading the implementation of a grant in this landscape, aimed at supporting the Corridor’s Action Plan through the implementation of Nature-based Solutions (NbS). This intervention incorporates an integrated approach that links climate change, peace, and security, while promoting active community participation.

During his remarks, Wilson Miranda, representative of the ECO Association, highlighted CATIE’s technical support and the strong commitment of local communities. Later, the Local Corridor Coordinator and attending authorities formally presented the recognition to CATIE for its valuable contribution to capacity building and participatory planning in the region.

“It was very meaningful for us to receive this recognition in such an important setting; we reaffirm our commitment to continue supporting these processes with a technical, participatory, and results-oriented approach, thus contributing to their sustainability and to the strengthening of local territorial governance,” said Julio López, CATIE’s representative in Guatemala.

The PARES Project is a regional initiative promoted by the European Union (EU) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and implemented by CATIE. Its objective is to strengthen territorial governance and climate resilience through the implementation of nature-based solutions in territories affected by environmental and social fragility.