Åre and Panajachel, Guatemala

Project: Local democracy, gender equality & education – A joint learning project

The municipality of Åre in Sweden and the municipality of Panajachel in Guatemala are collaborating to address the issue of gender inequality and the exclusion of minority groups in municipal decision-making processes. This effort aims to strengthen local democracies in both municipalities through increased participation and inclusion.

The objectives in Panajachel are focused around Policy Prioritization, as well as Inclusion of Minority Groups on the issue:

• Objective 1: A policy to increase the participation of women is implemented and prioritized within the municipality through the municipality, ensuring that women participate actively and equally in politics and civic life.
• Objective 2: Minority groups are included in civic and political processes in an equitable and inclusive manner, with their rights recognized, their cultural and social diversity respected, and their access to decision-making spaces ensured.

Peer Learning:

This collaboration aims to strengthen both municipalities’ capacity to foster inclusive governance. Through mutual exchange and peer learning, Åre and Panajachel intend to share strategies and approaches for participatory democracy and gender equality. By doing so, both partners will gain valuable insights and tools to address challenges in their local contexts.

The partnership is part of the Network for Gender equality.