Impact Spotlight

Sustainability & technician training for 30 Guatemalan beekeepers

3.3 kW solar systems installed to replace gasoline powered honey processing

Climate education programs for 100 local youth

About

Fundación Mundo Azul is pioneering the conservation and protection of Guatemala’s coasts while working in collaborative partnerships with coastal communities. The foundation helps communities strengthen economic opportunities, build climate resilience, and protect local resources.

Izabal, Guatemala, Barra Sarstún, located within a protected area on Guatemala’s Caribbean coast, is home to a strongly independent fishing community. In the face of a changing climate, the area faces significant challenges, including limited access to education, economic opportunity beyond a dwindling fishing economy, and reliable energy sources. Meanwhile, Q’echi Maya and mestizo populations in Barra Sarstún are eager to collaborate on sustainable practices that improve their quality of life. With a strong organizational structure and a commitment to environmental stewardship, the community actively engages in projects that promote the conservation of their natural resources.

“The introduction of renewable energy sources in our beekeeping project signifies a substantial step towards sustainability, fostering positive economic and social impacts within the community. This initiative ensures a constant power supply, allows continuous work in the processing room without power outages, and reduces direct dependence on the electrical grid, thus avoiding prolonged energy restoration periods.”

— Marta Tiul, Leader of the women's committee and beekeeper at the Ki'il Sarstoon apiary

HF Partnership

Supported by the Honnold Foundation, the Kiʼil Sarstoon Beekeeping Project aims to empower 30 community members in Barra Sarstún through comprehensive training in sustainable beekeeping and honey production. The project includes the construction of a processing room equipped with solar panels, ensuring a reliable energy supply for honey extraction while meeting sanitation standards. Participants will learn about sustainable practices that enhance not only honey production but also the conservation of mangrove ecosystems, as healthy mangroves are vital for supporting local biodiversity and providing habitat for marine species. The initiative will also focus on the production of diverse hive-derived products, further enhancing food security and providing alternative income sources. Through educational workshops on beekeeping and environmental conservation, the project seeks to strengthen community resilience and promote environmental stewardship, while reinforcing the community’s commitment to sustainable development and mangrove protection.