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A great sign just before you get to the beach at Hengistbury Head, Dorset, reminding people to take home all their rubbish with them.

Field research in Guatemala

Video project on communal environmental stewardship

This video highlights the community activities of people in Antigua in response to megaprojects and logging of Guatemala's beautiful rainforests.©KatjaWinkler

Explore my diverse personal and professional projects that merge concerns about social and environmental justice.

KT's Projects

BooksProfessional ArticlesExpert OpinionsReports

My research focuses on land rights, environmental &amp; resource justice, as well as Indigenous territorial governance in Guatemala. Selected publications have institutional recognition and are held in library collections of academic institutions in <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://cirma.org.gt/opac/record/51129?&amp;mode=advanced&amp;query=@field1=encabezamiento@value1=TIERRA&amp;recnum=254">Guatemala</a>, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://ecosur.repositorioinstitucional.mx/jspui/handle/1017/2660">Mexico</a> and the United States:<ul><li>Permanently archived in the core collection of the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://search.catalog.loc.gov/instances/8e95cce6-2ffe-575c-bd7a-78c87eccd712?option=lccn&amp;query=2011523451">Library of Congress</a>, Washington, D.C.</li><li>Acquired by major US research libraries for Latin American and Indigenous Studies.(See <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://catalog.princeton.edu/catalog/9977321003506421">Princeton University Library Catalog</a>, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://catalog.library.cornell.edu/?advanced_query=yes&amp;commit=Search&amp;op_row%5B%5D=phrase&amp;op_row%5B%5D=AND&amp;q_row%5B%5D=OCoLC+859619750&amp;q_row%5B%5D=&amp;search_field=advanced&amp;search_field_row%5B%5D=number&amp;search_field_row%5B%5D=all_fields&amp;sort=score+desc%2C+pub_date_sort+desc%2C+title_sort+asc&amp;utf8=%E2%9C%93">Cornell University </a><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://catalog.library.cornell.edu/?advanced_query=yes&amp;commit=Search&amp;op_row%5B%5D=phrase&amp;op_row%5B%5D=AND&amp;q_row%5B%5D=OCoLC+859619750&amp;q_row%5B%5D=&amp;search_field=advanced&amp;search_field_row%5B%5D=number&amp;search_field_row%5B%5D=all_fields&amp;sort=score+desc%2C+pub_date_sort+desc%2C+title_sort+asc&amp;utf8=%E2%9C%93">Library Catalog</a> and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://search.library.berkeley.edu/discovery/search?vid=01UCS_BER:UCB&amp;lang=en&amp;tab=Everything&amp;offset=0&amp;search_scope=MyInstitution&amp;query=any,contains,859619750">UC Berkeley Library</a>)</li><li>Indexed globally in the WorldCat registry (OCLC: 859619750).</li></ul>You can access digital versions hitting the button below.

My training as an ethnologist shapes my perspective on global inequalites and governance over natural resources. I work at the intersection of sustainability, resource justice, and participatory learning. Over the past two decades, I have designed and led research, teaching, and international development initiatives across Europe and Latin America. This page aims to guide you through my various professional and personal projects and share my learnings. I hope by doing so I'll be able to capture your interest and inspire you to reach out.

Katja Winkler

Sustainability. Participation. Political ecology and resource justice

About me

Project teaching at TU BerlinAt the Technical University of Berlin, I designed and led interdisciplinary teaching and learning formats that connected energy, sustainability, and society through participatory approaches. My role combined curriculum development, project leadership, stakeholder engagement, and science communication, bringing together students, researchers, public administration, and civil society to co-create solutions for sustainable development.The programme recently received the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.tu.berlin/news/nachricht/unesco-zeichnet-energieseminar-der-tu-berlin-erneut-fuer-bildung-fuer-nachhaltige-entwicklung-aus">UNESCO "Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) 2030" award</a>, recognizing its innovative contribution to transformative sustainability education. My role in developing the programme's concept and preparing the successful UNESCO application was key.

Participatory Sustainability Education

How large hydroelectric companies dispossess the people

How land dispossession for biofuels harms indigenous people's food security

How the extraction of raw materials for renewable energy systems harms the environment and people of the global south

How fair is climate justice? Green burdens on unequal shoulders: a story of compensatory mechanisms and neo-colonialism

Fungi are indispensable for the functioning of our planet's ecosystems and can be future building materials for our planet

Building with clay is one of the oldest cultural techniques of humanity and yet, it can be a modern building material 

Teaching Portfolio: Projects on Political Ecology

books, pencils, laptop, and iphone on a desk

Instagram - @andrewtneel | Donations - paypal.me/AndrewNeel

Wood table with paper sheet and drawing tools

Some of the Unsplash Team fam working together 🤘

Scrabble tiles and smartphone. 
More awesome freebies here: https://firmbee.com/freebiesun

This is a creative & co-working space in Brisbane, Australia.

Student´s web contributions

The Land Grabbing Podcast

Hydropower—Renewable, Yet Destructive

Sustainable University

Mycelium: Our Planet's Source of Nutrients and Building Material

Green Burdens—Unequal Shoulders: Focus on Climate Justice

With the National Award for Education for Sustainable Development "ESD 2030", the UNESCO Commission recognizes the programs long-standing commitment to innovative, participatory, and hands-on education.

Awards and Recognition

Science Communication

Taipei Energy Hill solar park from above.

From 2007 to 2019, I coordinated research and advocacy projects on land rights and resource justice at IDEAR–CONGCOOP in Guatemala as part of Bread for the World's international development cooperation programme. I coordinated interdisciplinary research supporting Indigenous organizations, farmers' associations, and civil society networks in defending land, territorial, and environmental rights. Finally I established the focus on land and territory at IDEAR.

International Development Cooperation 

<h4>Research, Advocacy and Organizational Development for Land Rights and Resource Justice in Guatemala</h4>My work integrated qualitative research, conflict analysis, advocacy, and organizational development. I coordinated research projects, prepared cultural expert reports for legal proceedings, developed indicators to monitor collective and human rights, and translated research findings into publications and educational resources that strengthened evidence-based advocacy and political dialogue.In parallel, I advised partner organizations on knowledge management, organizational development, and fundraising, helping to build their long-term institutional capacity. I also founded the Centro de Documentación (CENDOC) to preserve and disseminate knowledge on land rights and social movements.The evidence generated through this work contributed to policy dialogue, United Nations shadow reporting, and legal processes supporting Indigenous territorial rights and environmental justice.This work was made possible through close collaboration with Bread for the World, CONGCOOP Guatemala, and numerous Indigenous organizations and community authorities, including CNOC and the Indigenous authorities of Sololá and Suchitepéquez.Impact<ul><li>Advanced evidence-based advocacy on land and territorial rights.</li><li>Supported Indigenous communities in documenting and defending their rights.</li><li>Strengthened collaboration between civil society organizations, researchers, and international partners.</li><li>Contributed to knowledge and policy processes promoting environmental justice and sustainable development in Guatemala.</li></ul>

Comprehensive analysis of environmental consequences for proposed projects to promote responsible decision-making.

Environmental Impact Assessments

Advisory services to help organizations integrate sustainability into their operations and strategies effectively.

Sustainable Development Consulting

Craft compelling narratives using digital media to raise awareness and inspire action on critical social issues.

Shot in the Detail studio while editing a podcast. Detail makes it easy to record, edit, and share professional video podcasts — all in one app.

Digital Storytelling for Social Change

Expert opinion for the hearing before the Inter-American Court of Human Rights (co-authorship)

Human Rights and the Oil Palm Industry in Guatemala 

Analysis of the social and environmental impacts of agro-industrial water use.

Water Use by the Sugarcane Industry 

report presented in 2017, covers human rights developments and the implementation of UPR recommendations in Guatemala during the 2012–2016 period (co-authorship)

Reports on Human Rights in Guatemala

Selected publications for advocacy

"Agrotóxicos en el Cultivo de la Caña de Azúcar y Sus Impactos en la Salud Humana: Causas y Orígenes de la Nefropatía Mesoamericana en Guatemala" by Katja Winkler / Photo: ©Katja WinklerThis in-depth working paper from IDEAR-CONGCOOP (circa 2018) investigates the escalating use of agrochemicals (pesticides and herbicides) in Guatemala's expansive sugar cane monocultures—the world's third-largest producer—and their direct links to chronic kidney disease of non-traditional causes (CKDnT), known as Mesoamerican Nephropathy. Drawing on interviews with affected workers, medical personnel, and officials (2017–2018), alongside extensive documentary review, Winkler exposes how industrial practices exacerbate public health crises, labor violations, and environmental harm amid weak regulations and corporate lobbying.Core Arguments and Findings<ul><li>Agrarian Context and Labor Precarization: Guatemala's sugar cane sector has tripled production since the 2008 crisis, driving land grabs for agro-exports like biofuels and bioplastics. This has displaced small farmers, diversified rural incomes (heavily reliant on remittances), and worsened labor conditions—long hours without protection, union suppression, and rights abuses echoing historical violations in the industry.</li><li>CKDnT as Epidemic Health Crisis: The paper details the surge in non-traditional chronic kidney diseases, affecting agricultural workers (mostly men, but increasingly women) in hot, low-altitude regions. Prevalence has reached epidemic levels, with estimates of thousands of deaths; causes include dehydration, but Winkler emphasizes continuous exposure to agrotoxics without protective gear, leading to symptoms like deteriorated reflexes and renal failure.</li><li>Agrotoxics and Corporate Influence: Focuses on key pesticides like glyphosate (in Monsanto's Roundup) and 2,4-D (DowDuPont's Agent Orange component), banned or restricted elsewhere but imported in rising volumes to Central America (e.g., Guatemala's imports tripled from 1994–2017). Aerial spraying contaminates communities, rivers, and air; studies link these to kidney damage, cancer risks, and ozone depletion, yet corporate lobbying (e.g., over $34 million by Dow) downplays health impacts and blocks international regulations like the Rotterdam Convention.</li><li>Regulations and Gaps: Critiques inadequate international (e.g., Montreal Protocol, Basel Convention) and national frameworks in Guatemala, which lack enforcement on pesticide limits or worker protections. Calls for blacklists, independent monitoring, and human-rights-based reforms to prioritize health over profits.</li><li>Analysis and Recommendations: While acknowledging multifactorial causes, Winkler argues for a causal link between agrotoxics and CKDnT, urging independent research, better labor conditions, reduced pesticide use, and accountability for agro giants. Concludes that these chemicals do not boost food security but endanger workers and ecosystems.</li></ul>Why It's KeyAmid ongoing debates on "multifactorial" vs. pesticide-driven causes of CKDnT, this paper stands out for its activist lens, tying health data to socio-economic critiques and real testimonies. Prepared for a 2017 CIDH hearing on agroindustry abuses in Central America, it amplifies calls for justice in a region plagued by exploitation. Though from 2018, its warnings resonate with current climate and health challenges in Latin American agriculture. For full text, reference pages 1–57.

Agrochemicals in Sugarcane Production and Their Impacts on Human Health

Science communication: documentary on Indigenous territorial rights and environmental stewardship

This didactic video is based on my book <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.academia.edu/6120906/La_territorialidad_tzutujil_frente_a_la_expansi%C3%B3n_de_la_ca%C3%B1a_de_azucar">La territorialidad tzutujil frente a la expansión de la cana de azúcar.</a> For the making of this short film I was involved in the project idea, the story board, as well as the overall production process.What it is about: In the face of the generalized expansion of monocultures, especially the sugar industry, land for growing food is becoming increasingly scarce, giving rise to dispossession and hunger in Guatemala. The good news ist that indigenous practices for managing ancestral territories still remain to this day. They offer ways to survive and resist the corporation´s landgrab.This material has been used as a teaching tool for adults in indigenous communities that can not read or write. It has also been used for community work with grassroots organizations and in schools. It is available in Spanisch, Maya Tzútujil and English on youtube.A Production of CONGCOOP's Institute of Agrarian and Rural Studies IDEAR 2014.

Be invited on my journey through different projects that show the effects of:<ul><li>Over 20 years of international professional experience in Germany, Guatemala, and Mexico</li><li>UNESCO-awarded educational work</li><li>EU-funded and third-party-funded projects</li><li>Research, teaching, and facilitation</li></ul>

Interactive workshops designed to enhance creative writing skills for individuals and groups, fostering storytelling and expression.

Creative Writing Workshops

Providing expert advice and strategies to promote sustainable development practices in both local and international projects.

Consulting on Sustainable Development

Organizing and facilitating community programs aimed at social development and empowerment.

Community Engagement Initiatives

Offering translation and localization to bridge language gaps and adapt content for diverse audiences.

A journaling Bible open to the New Testament. 

Translation and Localization Services

In Guatemala, 12 sugar mills act as an oligopoly, a cartel with deep political connections whose power is often resented by communities in the countryside, reveals an investigation by El Faro and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://eldiario.es">eldiario.es</a>.

The Guatemalan sugar cartel

Article based on the article by the same name in <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://elfaro.net/es/201704/centroamerica/20091/El-cartel-del-az%C3%BAcar-de-Guatemala.htm">El Faro (</a>by mentioned authors)

The abandoned grain hoppers and silos of the Arlington Cattle Company were left to rust in the Arizona desert.

The Guatemalan Sugar Cartel

Frequent reflections

In 2015, I was very fortunate to be able to translate Lama Ole Nydahl´s book "Fearless Death" (2000) from its original German version into Spanish: "Sin temor a la muerte".What it is about: For centuries Tibetan Buddhist masters have uncovered joy and meaning in the dying process. For them death is not a mystery. They know what will happen and see it as a great chance for spiritual development. Fearless Death makes their teachings accessible to the modern West.

Book translation

This article by <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" class="last-byline css-ojhyzr e1jsehar0" href="https://www.nytimes.com/by/elisabeth-rosenthal">Elisabeth Rosenthal </a>in the New York Times focuses on food security of the Guatemalan population in the face of sugar cane and oil palm monocultures. I was one of the interviewees on this delicate food security issue.

As Biofuel Demand Grows, So Do Guatemala´s Hunger Pangs

An interview on development work in Latin America and my reinsercion in Germany after being abroad.February edition 02.2024"Wissensschaft, Forschung und Lehre",(pages 4-6)

Teaching as a very enriching experience

In the 2000´s, I was co-founder of a maya women´s association in San Juan La Laguna, Guatemala, for the traditional production of natural dyes for textiles.

At Lake Atitlán in Guatemala

Guatemala shows a precarious scenario over water accessibility, more for its management and distribution than for scarcity. The absence of institutions and regulation, frame the current perspectives of supply and demand based on the interests of corporations.

Whose is the water in Guatemala?

Transnational Corporations - the new plundering ships of the Indies: perspectives of the Peoples Summit

Transnational Corporations

Media Coverage

Monocrops like sugarcane and oil palm are taking over arable lands for food and threatening vital spaces of the local populace

One advances more or less the width of a street, and one has to advance 25 meters (1 rope) in a day in order to earn Q50.

A week´s pay at the plantation. 
A day's wage per weight is about Q 75 (9,76 USD) per day.

Father and children during forced labor
Photo by ©Rodrigo Abt -
https://www.artehispano.com.ar/Rodrigo_Abd_La_Camara_Afgana.html

"Children start working in the cane from the age of 13. In coffee they start from the time they can walk... ”

Young sugar cane requires much water. The irrigation of this crop? 24/7 during a period of at least six months of the year.

large trucks transport tons of harvested sugar cane on public roads every year. After each harvest, the roads are destroyed.

Ethanol is the most lucrative biofuel on sugarcane base that contributes to Guatemala´s important exports to Europe.

Sugarmills in Guatemala never turn off their power. Sugar barons compete with larger economies on the back of simbolic wages 

Results of inexisting water regulations for maximized sugar production: dried out river basins. Photo taken at the Río Sis, GTM.

Monocrops for fuel and sugar for food  

young Afro-American businesswoman working with sticky notes on office wall looking through memos thinking about business project.

"Agrotóxicos en el cultivo de la caña de azúcar y sus impactos en la salud humana: causas y orígenes de la Nefropatía Mesoamericana en Guatemala" by Katja WinklerExploring the link between pesticide use in sugar cane large scale production and the epidemic of kidney diseases in Guatemala. Is cronic exposure to agrochemicals fueling a public health crisis? Learn more about how this affects communities.#PublicHealth #Agrochemicals #NefropatiaMesoamericana

Agrochemicals in large scale sugarcane production

Water use by the sugarcane agroindustry in Guatemala

"Uso del agua por la agroindustria de la caña de azúcar en Guatemala" by Katja Winkler🔥 Must-read from 2016 still hits hard: “Uso del agua por la agroindustria de la caña de azúcar en Guatemala” by Katja Winkler reveals how sugar cane plantations in Guatemala devour billions of liters of water and poison rivers with toxic vinasse — while communities go thirsty. One hectare = up to 20,000 m³ per cycle. That’s not “green gold,” that’s water theft.Dedicated to water defender Rigoberto Lima Choc.#WaterJustice #Guatemala #SugarCane #TerritoriosXI

<h3>"Uso del agua por la agroindustria de la caña de azúcar en Guatemala" by Katja Winkler</h3>This standout article from Territorios XI (2016), published by Guatemala's CONGCOOP and IDEAR, provides a critical examination of the sugarcane agroindustry's outsized and unsustainable water footprint in Guatemala. Authored by researcher Katja Winkler, it draws on field data, environmental reports, and policy analysis to expose how large-scale monoculture plantations and mills dominate water resources, often at the expense of local communities, ecosystems, and food sovereignty.Core Arguments and Findings<ul><li>Massive Water Consumption: Sugarcane is portrayed as a "thirsty" crop, with Guatemala's industry—concentrated in regions like Suchitepéquez and Escuintla—consuming billions of liters annually for irrigation, processing, and cooling. Winkler estimates that a single hectare requires 15,000–20,000 m³ of water per harvest cycle, leading to groundwater depletion and river diversion that starves smallholder farmers and indigenous groups of access.</li><li>Environmental and Social Impacts: The piece highlights contamination from vinasse (sugarcane waste) discharge into rivers like the Samalá and Coatán, causing eutrophication, fish die-offs, and health risks. It critiques lax enforcement of environmental regulations, noting how agroindustrial giants secure concessions that prioritize export profits over human rights to water, exacerbating inequality in arid southern territories.</li><li>Policy Critique and Calls to Action: Winkler advocates for a human-rights-based water framework, referencing Guatemala's stalled Ley de Agua initiative. She contrasts industrial overexploitation with sustainable indigenous practices, urging reforms like participatory basin management and caps on corporate withdrawals to reclaim territories for local use.</li></ul>Why It's KeyIn the broader context of Territorios XI's focus on water as a battleground for territory and dignity—dedicated to water defender Rigoberto Lima Choc—this article stands out for its data-driven urgency. It bridges academic analysis with on-the-ground activism, making a compelling case that sugarcane's "green gold" label masks an ecocidal reality. Though from 2016, its insights remain relevant amid ongoing climate pressures and agroexport booms in Latin America. For the full text, see pages 69–92 of the publication.

Providing expert advice on sustainable development projects with a focus on environmental and social impact.

Comprehensive research and analytical services to support academic and professional projects.

Research and Analysis

Creating engaging digital content tailored for websites, social media, and professional platforms.

Digital Content Creation

<ul data-type="checkmark-bullet-list"><li data-type="checkmark-list-item">Courses</li><li data-type="checkmark-list-item">Workshops</li><li data-type="checkmark-list-item">Science Communication</li></ul>

For Universities

<ul data-type="checkmark-bullet-list"><li data-type="checkmark-list-item">Evaluation</li><li data-type="checkmark-list-item">Conflict Analysis</li><li data-type="checkmark-list-item">Facilitation</li></ul>

For NGOs

<ul data-type="checkmark-bullet-list"><li data-type="checkmark-list-item">Participatory Processes</li><li data-type="checkmark-list-item">Sustainability Strategies</li><li data-type="checkmark-list-item">ESD Projects</li></ul>

For Public Institutions

Facilitation and advisory services

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Offering professional translation to make your projects accessible across different languages and cultures.

Multilingual Translation Services

Delivering detailed research reports and insightful data analysis to support informed project strategies.

Research and Data Analysis

Providing expert advice on sustainable practices to balance economic growth and environmental preservation.

Organizing interactive sessions to foster community involvement and collaborative project development.

Community Engagement Workshops

In 2015, I was very fortunate to get the chance to translate Lama Ole Nydahl´s book "Fearless Death" (2000) from its original German version into Spanish: "Sin temor a la muerte".What it is about: For centuries Tibetan Buddhist masters have uncovered joy and meaning in the dying process. For them death is not a mystery. They know what will happen and see it as a great chance for spiritual development. Fearless Death makes their teachings accessible to the modern West.

Visit my fater´s scented candle project with my brother´s visionary input.As a masterperfumer, my father has developped a lot of scented products. His latest creation is a luxury high end series of scented candles.

Recommended websites

Additional Undertakings

The carefully compiled content of this website is personal and is not intended for sale of any kind. The mere use of this website does not constitute a contractual relationship between the user and the provider.The use of the documentation is at the sole responsibility and risk of the user. Any liability claims arising from the use of this documentation are therefore rejected.Despite careful content control, I assume no liability for the content of external links. The operators of the linked pages are solely responsible for their content, and no liability is assumed for the content or legal violations of linked websites. They are subject to the liability of the respective operators. The inclusion of external links does not imply endorsement of the content behind the link.<h3>Privacy Policy</h3><h4>Data Controller: Katja Winkler Berlin, Germany</h4><h4>Collection and Use of Personal Data</h4>Personal data is collected only when you voluntarily provide it, for example by contacting me via email or the <a target="" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="/contact">contact form</a>. Your data will be used solely to respond to your inquiry and will not be shared with third parties unless required by law.<h4>Website Hosting</h4>This website is hosted by a third-party hosting provider. When you visit this website, technical information such as your IP address, browser type, operating system, and access time may be processed automatically for security, technical maintenance, and service delivery.<h4>Embedded Content</h4>This website may include embedded content, such as YouTube videos. When you access embedded content, the respective provider may collect technical information about your visit, including your IP address, and may use cookies or similar technologies in accordance with its own privacy policy.<h4>External Links</h4>This website contains links to external websites and social media platforms. I am not responsible for the privacy practices or content of external websites. Please refer to the privacy policies of the respective providers.<h4>Legal Basis</h4>Personal data is processed in accordance with Article 6(1)(b), Article 6(1)(f), and, where applicable, Article 6(1)(a) of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).<h4>Your Rights</h4>Under the GDPR, you have the right to access, rectify, erase, restrict, or object to the processing of your personal data, as well as the right to data portability where applicable. You also have the right to lodge a complaint with a competent data protection authority.For any questions regarding this Privacy Policy or the processing of your personal data, please contact me using the email address above.<h4>Updates</h4>This Privacy Policy may be updated from time to time to reflect legal, technical, or operational changes. The latest version will always be available on this website.***If you have any questions regarding this Privacy Policy or the processing of your personal data, please use the <a target="" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="/contact">contact form</a> available on this website.I appreciate your interest and hope you enjoy reading.

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Applied anthropology and rural development projects                                                                               

Building the GENES Network: Gender and Sustainable Energy in Central America

As Project Lead at Fundación Solar in Guatemala, I initiated and coordinated the GENES (Gender and Energy) network, bringing together organizations from seven Central American countries to strengthen gender-responsive approaches to sustainable energy and rural development: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama.Supported by Winrock International, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), The World Bank through its energy assitance program ESMAP, the network fostered knowledge exchange, regional cooperation, and capacity building among civil society organizations working at the intersection of gender, energy access, and community development.Since the beginning I established a cooperation to <a target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="H23r4e" href="https://energia.org/">ENERGIA</a>, an international network operating largely across Africa and Asia. It champions women's economic empowerment and inclusive energy access, functioning as a global change agent for sustainable energy transitions.This experience laid the foundation for my long-standing commitment to participatory approaches, international cooperation, and community-centred sustainable development.IMPACT<ul><li>Advocacy for women´s access to energy in rural areas or Guatemala at the US-World Bank financed energy summit <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://enb.iisd.org/events/village-power-2000-empowering-people-and-transforming-markets/summary-report-4-8-december">Village Power 2000</a></li><li>Organizational information exchange</li><li>Grants and funding</li></ul>Media coverage of the central american GENES Network<ul data-type="checkmark-bullet-list"><li data-type="checkmark-list-item"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.inforse.org/doc/SEN32.pdf">Newsletter for INFORSE</a> International Network for Sustainable Energy. No. 32, February 2001</li><li data-type="checkmark-list-item"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://energia.org/assets/2014/11/en-2000-03.pdf">Energía News</a>, Newsletter of the Network for Women and Sustainable Energy,Vol. 3, Issue 1, March 2000</li><li data-type="checkmark-list-item"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://energia.org/assets/2014/11/en-2000-06.pdf">Energía News</a>, Newsletter of the Network for Women and Sustainable Energy, Vol. 3, Issue 2, June 2000</li><li data-type="checkmark-list-item"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/450391468770103723/pdf/319290VOL10210PAPER0062.pdf">Continuity</a> over time</li></ul>

Alongside the regional network, I facilitated participatory community initiatives that promoted cultural heritage, women's economic participation, and the preservation of traditional knowledge, including a community museum and the co-founding of a Maya women's association for the production of natural textile dyes.

                                                                            

                                                         


As part of various projects with the communities at Lake Atitlán I supported a community museum initiative with the Maya Tz’utujil community in Santiago Atitlán that promoted cultural heritage, local participation, and intergenerational knowledge transfer.

Asociation Rey Tepepul

Community museum with the Maya Tzútujil community in Santiago Atitlán

As part of a study on the traditional use and management of natural resources by the Tzútujil Maya people of Lake Atitlán, a group of women who produce natural dyes participated in the research. I had the honor of co-founding their association: LEMA´.© Foto: Asociation Lemá on FacebookPlease check out their beautiful work on social media (below)