RaícesVerdesUrbanos - Enhancing Urban Biodiversity & Community Inclusion

The watershed of Lake Amatitlán in Guatemala is an ecologically diverse yet highly urbanized area. Current environmental changes, such as the decline in forest cover, the loss of biodiversity, and increasing water scarcity, pose major challenges. The project improves urban biodiversity and strengthens the participation of local and indigenous communities in environmental decision-making. It restores degraded forests, promotes native species, and establishes community nurseries. In doing so, it strategically combines nature-based solutions with training programmes for women and young people.The project sets up demonstration sites, develops educational programmes, monitors ecosystems, and supports exchange with German cities. Overall, the project increases climate resilience, enhances carbon sequestration, conserves biodiversity, and supports the achievement of national and global development goals —creating sustainable, visible, and positive impacts beyond the project region.