Impact Spotlight

Training 80 community members on solar installation and maintenance

Access to solar irrigation and lighting for 30 households and 18 additional plots of farmland

Solar energy education & installation training for 80 Maya women

About

Tuumben Ko’oben is a community-driven organization in Mexico that empowers rural communities rich in cultural heritage and agricultural traditions. These communities, often comprised of Indigenous populations like the Q’echi Maya, face challenges such as poverty, limited access to education and healthcare, and the impacts of climate change on agriculture. Women in these communities encounter additional barriers, including economic disparities, gender-based violence, and cultural norms that prioritize domestic roles over career aspirations. However, their many strengths include access to traditional knowledge of sustainable practices, strong community networks, and an entrepreneurial spirit that drives local economic development.

Tuumben partners with local farmers to implement innovative agricultural techniques that boost food security and productivity while engaging community members, particularly women, in decision-making to ensure initiatives reflect their unique strengths and needs. By fostering leadership and promoting environmental stewardship, Tuumben highlights the community’s expertise in crafting their own sustainable solutions for the future, ultimately driving resilience and economic development.

“We want a just energy transition for our people, territories, and indigenous communities, to have light every day, to ensure it doesn’t go out, and to have enough to preserve food. We need training spaces and the knowledge to install and maintain solar panels. This is a collective and loving learning process that we want to stay in our communities.”

— Voices of women from the Yucatán Peninsula.

HF Partnership

With the support of the Honnold Foundation, the Mujeres Mayas Promotoras Solares initiative will work with women in rural Yucatán communities through a comprehensive training program on solar energy systems. This project will build on previous successes, gathering 90 participants for workshops focused on solar technology and its applications for home lighting and agricultural irrigation. In addition, the initiative will facilitate access to solar energy for 30 households and farming parcels, fostering independence from conventional energy sources. By equipping women with important skills and knowledge, the project aims to create a sustainable and equitable energy future for these communities.