The European Union, through the Euroclima programme, presents a new data system to strengthen forest management in the Maya Biosphere Reserve in Guatemala

• The update of the permanent plot system will strengthen decision-making and the technical capacities of forest managers and CONAP staff.

Guatemala City, December 11, 2025. As part of regional efforts to strengthen the sustainable management of natural forests, the Forests and Biodiversity in Productive Landscapes Unit and the Biostatistics Unit of CATIE (Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center) held the closing event of the consultancy “Review of the Forest Dynamics Monitoring System in the Maya Biosphere Reserve” through two workshops in Petén, Guatemala.

This technical advisory service was carried out within the framework of Action 8 of the Country Dialogue in Guatemala: “Support for the analysis of the silvicultural model of forest concessions, a successful model for sustainable forest and biodiversity management”, under the Euroclima programme, financed by the European Union and implemented by Expertise France, with CATIE as the executing partner.

The main purpose of the consultancy was to evaluate and update the forest dynamics monitoring system through the network of Permanent Sample Plots (PSP), thereby strengthening decision-making for the sustainable management of natural resources in the Maya Biosphere Reserve (MBR), a strategic area for biodiversity conservation and the development of community-based forest management models.

The closing event consisted of two workshops held in Petén, Guatemala. These sessions brought together forest managers from community forest concessions, technical staff from the National Council of Protected Areas (CONAP), and specialists from the implementing institutions.

Day One: Capacity building for the use of the data management and analysis system of the Permanent Sample Plot (PSP) Network

On December 2, the first workshop was held with the participation of 30 people, mainly forest managers from the MBR Forest Concessions and CONAP staff.

The main objective was to provide training on the operation and performance of the data management and consultation system, a key tool developed by CATIE to monitor forest dynamics. This session strengthened local capacities for data entry, storage, management, and consultation processes. In addition, the workshop promoted user ownership of the system.

Day Two: Presentation of results and proposal for system modernization

On December 3, the second workshop was held with the participation of 18 people. This session aimed to comprehensively present the results generated during the consultancy. CATIE specialists shared a detailed description of the current system, its history, and the status of PSP monitoring in the MBR, the current availability of data, and the main findings derived from the system review. Opportunities to optimize data collection, storage, and use were also presented, along with progress made in developing a renewed proposal for forest data management and consultation.

In addition, a demonstration of the new data management and consultation system was conducted, incorporating technological improvements that facilitate interaction with permanent plot information and optimize data collection and analysis processes for decision-making. The presentation included a review of the consultation modules, database structure, and functionalities designed to support long-term monitoring.

A space for dialogue and joint construction

During the exchange with local stakeholders, representatives from CONAP and the Forest Concessions highlighted the importance of having modern and standardized tools for forest monitoring, especially in a context of increasing pressure on ecosystems and climate variability.

The interventions underscored the value of the technical support provided throughout the process, as well as the need to continue strengthening collaboration mechanisms among institutions, communities, and international partners.

The event concluded with final reflections from Expertise France, CATIE, and CONAP, who reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening community-based forest management in the Maya Biosphere Reserve and to the continuity of initiatives that promote conservation, sustainable management, and climate resilience in productive landscapes across Mesoamerica.

Main results achieved

Among the main achievements obtained through this joint work within the framework of the implementation of the Euroclima Country Dialogue action are the following:

PPM monitoring system evaluated and updated: aligned with local needs in a climate change context, incorporating technological improvements based on an optimized database structure.

Strengthened local capacities: approximately 30 technicians and forest managers were trained in the use of the data management and consultation system, improving data entry, storage, management, and analysis processes.

Greater ownership of the tool: local users adopted the system as a key tool for monitoring forest dynamics.

Technical results presented and validated: the main findings of the system review were shared, including the current status of monitoring, data availability, and opportunities for improvement.

New system demonstrated: the new system was launched, featuring improved consultation modules, greater ease of use, and enhanced capabilities to support decision-making.

Strengthened institutional coordination: coordination among CATIE, CONAP, forest concessions, and international partners was reinforced, highlighting the role of Expertise France as the implementing partner of Action 8.

Institutional commitment reaffirmed: CATIE and CONAP reaffirmed their commitment to community-based forest management, sustainable management, and climate resilience in the MBR, in close collaboration with Expertise France.

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About Euroclima:

Euroclima is the regional cooperation programme that fosters the strategic partnership between the European Union and Latin America and the Caribbean, based on shared values and a joint commitment to addressing climate change and biodiversity loss. It serves as a platform for the exchange of ideas and experiences among countries in the region and with the European Union. 

It is co-financed by the European Union and the Federal Government of Germany through the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). The programme seeks to contribute to a sustainable, resilient, and inclusive transition through climate mitigation and adaptation efforts, including the protection, restoration, and conservation of biological diversity and the promotion of the circular economy. 

Euroclima is part of the renewed Agenda for Relations between the EU and Latin America and the Caribbean and is aligned with the Global Gateway strategy, which promotes investment and financing in key sectors, as well as the use of other EU and Member State instruments to achieve more sustainable, just, and interconnected societies. 

It is implemented under the Team Europe approach, through the synergistic work of eight agencies: the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), the AFD Group: French Development Agency (AFD) / Expertise France (EF), the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), the International and Ibero-American Foundation for Administration and Public Policies (FIIAPP), Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

About Expertise France:

Expertise France is the French public agency for international technical cooperation. It is the interministerial actor for international technical cooperation and a subsidiary of the French Development Agency Group (AFD Group). As the second largest agency of its kind in Europe, it designs and implements projects that sustainably strengthen public policies in developing and emerging countries. Governance, security, climate, health, education: it operates in key development areas and, together with its partners, contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). For a world in common: www.expertisefrance.fr