Residents of Pacamán, Sololá, were eager to increase access to public services and create new opportunities for youth. With the support of the USAID Office of Transition Initiative’s Central America Regional Initiative (CARI) in Guatemala, nearly a dozen formal and informal organizations and community authorities collaborated to achieve positive changes in Pacamán. These are their stories.
The community structures include the Community Development Advisory Board (COCODE), Mayor's Office, Education Council, Women's Commission, Water Commission, Commission for the Protection of Children, Adolescents, and Youth (NAJ), and the Youth Commission, as well as the Catholic Church Board (Catholic Action Group), the Pro-Fiesta Group, and two women’s entrepreneur weaving groups.
Discover
Nearly 90 families in Pacamán prioritized closing the gap in services by increasing public investment in the community. Through the implementation of eight community projects ranging from new potable water pipes to rehabilitating retaining walls, CARI observed the high degree of collaboration, participation and management by women. Since a majority of Pacamán’s women work at home and are caregivers, they have a deeper awareness of the community’s needs and an interest in organizing to resolve them. Though women participate actively in the community, they face some limitations in project management because of high rates of illiteracy. By increasing literacy among women, they could have a greater impact on the efficacy of their advocacy and organization efforts.
I like it. It's my first time participating in a commission, I didn't know much at the beginning, but now I have learned so many things as part of my role," Pacamán community leader.
Building Trust
Through prioritizing community needs in co-creation processes with local organizations CARI has increased trust among its partners. The leaders feel heard. "The program is full with us," they comment. Prior to the co-creation processes, the municipal government did not have a significant presence in Pacamán and the non-government community organizations did not want to engage with the municipal government. Through the co-creation activities with CARI the community organizations increased their capacity to identify their priorities, create action plans, and advocate to the municipal government.
"The activities have helped us to know our rights as a community, and to request action from the Municipality. We are no longer asking for ‘favors’, because the municipality has a responsibility to address problems. After we presented the water project to the Mayor, he is more receptive to our advocacy, before he did not even answer our calls," Pacamán community leader.
To continue improving organic community organization, leaders in Pacamán are considering how to increase engagement of youth in community leadership. One option is supporting the creation of youth networks to identify and address issues that specifically impact that demographic.
Making Change Happen
The commitment, autonomy and leadership of community members in Pacamán are key to successful community organization and advocacy. In Pacamán, the community members aspire to create a strong community where they can build on previous community projects and celebrate their successes. By increasing their advocacy and project management skills the community members will be better situated to identify and address common challenges.
Looking to the Future
In Pacamán, they believe that “collaboration is strength". Transparency, communication and collaboration among leadership organizations are essential for the community to successfully engage the municipal government. Reflecting on the results also reflects how they have achieved them with commitment, dedication, and willingness to give their time and support. Today they dream of positioning themselves as "the most developed community in Sololá."
Pacamán Case Study
Community Good Practices
- Motivate community organizations and establish commissions to lead interventions in coordination with community organizations.
- Collaboration among leaders and establishing cooperative work processes are essential for interventions that address community challenges. Communication between intervention management and the larger community is also key to the success of interventions.
- The entire community's participation in addressing their challenges, especially the participation of youth and women, increases public confidence that the local government will support community-led projects.
- Establishing rules and accountability measures supports community commitment and participation.
- Ongoing training and mentoring help strengthen community organizations’ leadership capacity.
- Recognizing COCODE as the focal point to links other community actors and organizations facilitates local government support for interventions and community-led approaches.
- Defining priorities together through community meetings and dialogues helps organizers understand what community goals in a more inclusive way.
This case study is made possible by the support of the American People through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents of this case study are the sole responsibility of the Central America Regional Initiative (CARI) program and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government