Guatemala: Strengthening the business skills and employability of informal entrepreneurs at the Ciudad Pedro de Alvarado Border

    Overview

    Summary

    Within the framework of the border modernization process in Central America, this project seeks to generate economic opportunities and promote productive and decent work mainly for informal and unemployed workers and people involved in menial economic activities located at the Guatemalan border in Ciudad Pedro de Alvarado. 

    In the pilot phase, the project will seek to address institutional weaknesses and deficiencies hindering informal entrepreneurs advancement in education and in the labor market through skills development, access to micro-finance and employment promotion. 

    In the second phase, the project will seek to develop profitable businesses with groups of beneficiaries who acquired relevant skills in sectors with potential for domestic and export sales. In parallel, the project will continue to enhance Ciudad Pedro de Alvarado’s position to attract investments building on the new brand developed during the pilot phase.

    Doing so, the project is expected to i) enable informal entrepreneurs to reduce their level of dependency on income derived from border activities and their presence in the primary border areas devoted to border control and inspection functions and to ii) reduce the propensity of border communities to migrate thanks to the new economic opportunities in border areas.



    Recipients

    Partners

    Sustainable Development Goals

    This project contributes to the following Sustainable Development Goals, as defined by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

    In the framework of the border modernisation process in Central America, the CRECER project (Creando Resiliencia y Empleo para Comunidades en Entornos Remotos - Building resilience and employment for remote communities) seeks to promote productive and decent work for informal entrepreneurs operating at the Guatemalan border located in Ciudad Pedro de Alvarado. 

    The project seeks to address institutional weaknesses and deficiencies hindering informal entrepreneurs’ advancement in education and in the labour market through entrepreneurial skills development, access to micro-finance and employment promotion. 

    In doing this, the project is expected to enable informal entrepreneurs to reduce their level of dependency on income derived from border activities and their presence in the primary border areas devoted to border control and inspection functions. The project started in July 2018 and will be implemented until March 2023.

    A pilot project aimed at reducing the economic dependence of the population settled in the border post of Ciudad Pedro de Alvarado.
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    I am a student at Intecap and I feel very happy to study here. It has been beneficial for me and I have learned a lot so far. Additionally, I have managed to move forward: I have been able to open my own workshop with the tools that Intecap provided, and now, I can charge for the crafts, skirts and dresses that I make. I am very thankful for the support that the CRECER project and the USAID have given us.
    I am a student at Intecap and I feel very happy to study here. It has been beneficial for me and I have learned a lot so far. Additionally, I have managed to move forward: I have been able to open my own workshop with the tools that Intecap provided, and now, I can charge for the crafts, skirts and dresses that I make. I am very thankful for the support that the CRECER project and the USAID have given us.
    Alejandra Gómez
    Intecap student, dressmaking course
    Exactly one year ago, we inaugurated the computer lab and we were provided with 15 computers, and the same number of desks and chairs. It was a great help for the educational community of our communities.
    Exactly one year ago, we inaugurated the computer lab and we were provided with 15 computers, and the same number of desks and chairs. It was a great help for the educational community of our communities.
    Julio Lemuz
    Director - Institute of Basic Education Aldea el Naranjo, Moyuta
    I decided to attend an industrial electricity course because electricity is evolving and we have to advance hand in hand with technology. Intecap was the best option available and I graduated in 2018. After my studies, I started a job in an industrial installations company and after that, I worked in a college as an electricity studies teacher. Everything I know, is because of Intecap, and I am thankful for it. Intecap is the best option to get trained and become a professional. Intecap opens many doors.”
    I decided to attend an industrial electricity course because electricity is evolving and we have to advance hand in hand with technology. Intecap was the best option available and I graduated in 2018. After my studies, I started a job in an industrial installations company and after that, I worked in a college as an electricity studies teacher. Everything I know, is because of Intecap, and I am thankful for it. Intecap is the best option to get trained and become a professional. Intecap opens many doors.”
    Kevin Peccerelli
    Graduated in Industrial Electricity studies at Intecap
    I decided to study gastronomy. Since my adolescence, I have always liked everything related to food. In fact, most of my family members own food businesses. These studies are helping me a lot since I have just started a business as a chef, and I am now able to use the tools that the Intecap work team is providing to us.
    I decided to study gastronomy. Since my adolescence, I have always liked everything related to food. In fact, most of my family members own food businesses. These studies are helping me a lot since I have just started a business as a chef, and I am now able to use the tools that the Intecap work team is providing to us.
    Yesenia Ordóñez
    Gastronomy student

    ITC contact

    Beatriz
    Rodriguez Perez
    Email
    brodriguez [at] intracen.org