More Opportunities for Indigenous Youth in Guatemala

Countries:

Guatemala

Start project:

2017

Donors:

Kerk in Actie

Partners:

CEIPA (Centro Ecumenico de Integracion Pastoral)

The goal of this project is to help provide more opportunities for young indigenous people, so that they can exercise their political, social, cultural and productive capacities. This will be achieved by strengthening capacities and skills among groups of rural youth in Retalhuleu, with the ultimate goal of finding sustainable livelihoods, as well as strengthening citizenship and leadership with identity.

Background

In Guatemala, 22% of young people study and don't work, while 12% study and work. Furthermore, 41% do not study but work and the remaining 25% neither study or work.

Data taken from the National Employment and Income Survey indicate that the population group facing most challenges when it comes to finding employment are young adults between the ages of 15 and 24, a high percentage of them live in rural areas.

In this context, the young are impelled to find other options to generate economic resources to satisfy their basic needs, contribute to their families or continue their studies. In addition, given the social and political conditions of the country, it is necessary that young people start to become involved in social participation and decision making spaces through actions that contribute to their overall development, but also to solving their current problems.