Guatemala: Youth leaders in Sololá organize to influence local elections

Beginning in May, a team of youth leaders from Immaculate Conception parish organized an outreach to more than 500 families to identify community needs and raise awareness among people to exercise their right to vote in the upcoming elections. At a community assembly, people prioritized three issues –better roads, potable water, and a sewage system. People also called out the serious need for electricity and school construction.

These concerns were organized in a document and presented to the candidates running for mayor of Concepcion. All five candidates signed a pledge to work with the community to address these needs. While the increasingly authoritarian regime in Guatemala has undermined national elections scheduled for June 25, COFOA is beginning to build a base in local communities to demonstrate, that over time people can make their voice heard.