Guatemala: FOREST INCENTIVES AS A FINANCIAL MECHANISM FOR INTEGRATED WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AND RESPONSE TO CLIMATE RESILIENCE IN SAN BARTOLOMÉ JOCOTENANGO, QUICHÉ

As part of the Everyone Forever model, Water For People has strengthened the municipality's capacity for data-driven decision-making through annual processes of Water and Sanitation service level monitoring and reflections for planning and decision making. However, to ensure the sustainability of services and face the challenges of climate change threats such as the drought, the need was seen to obtain more data from the climate risks and strengthen the capacity of local authorities to provide greater access to forestry incentive mechanisms for the population.  

1. Strengthen capacities and generate learning in local authorities so that their population in priority areas has access to national programs of forestry incentives. 

The initiative consisted of carrying out a study to prioritize the conversion of 139 hectares of forest where significant annual loss in the water recharge zone was demonstrated. This study was conducted in 2023, using geographic information systems (GIS) with the support of the municipality and community leadership. It allowed us to prioritize forestry incentive projects for owners in these areas, to ensure the protection and conservation of the forests that supply water to the communities where we work. 

Furthermore, since most families in these prioritized areas had very limited financial resources and/or knowledge, the initiative facilitated the hiring of a forest manager to support the owners in the process of applying for incentives and to generate awareness about the importance of the program and its impact on water conservation.  

 

2. Evaluation of the climate risks using the tool How Tough Is WASH, by University of Bristol, with the aim of obtaining information about the climate vulnerabilities identifying the state of WASH infrastructure as well as their exposure to hazards like droughts, landslides, among others, to prioritize the most vulnerable water recharge zones and establish improvement plans and focus investments such as  priority access to the forestry incentive program. 

In 2025, Water For People together with the University of San Carlos of Guatemala, the Municipal Directorate of Water and Sanitation (DIMAS) and the community water committees carried out this assessment. This tool analyzes six key indicators: Environment, Infrastructure, Supply Chains, Governance and Community Engagement, Service Management, and Institutional Support.  

The evaluation process was developed in a participatory manner with the municipality and service providers, integrating different methodological approaches such  as  GIS analysis  to map infrastructure, the water network, forest cover, water recharge zones, and areas susceptible to threats; field surveys in catchment areas and pipelines; structured surveys to collect information on management, governance, and institutional support; and document review of technical and administrative information.  This data was complemented by data from the annual monitoring system implemented by the municipality and Water For People. 

The study revealed a heterogeneous situation, characterized by significant progress and pending challenges. Drinking water systems exhibit strengths in community governance and supply chains, reflecting solid organizational management and good local coordination. However, limitations were identified in environmental and infrastructure indicators, primarily associated with the degradation of water recharge zones, limited source protection, and the physical vulnerability of the systems. 

These gaps require strategic actions, targeted investments, and ongoing technical support to strengthen the adaptive capacity of Water Systems to the effects of climate change and ensure the sustainability of their services. 

1. The initiative to access the national forestry incentive program had the following results: 

• The information generated by a prioritization study of water recharge zones helped reduce incentive approval times from three years to one year. 
• Forestry incentives generated income for landowners estimated at USD 16,000 per family in 10 years. At the same time, forest protection and reforestation actions were ensured. 
• Greater protection of water sources with state funding due to prioritizing families in high water recharge areas. 

The experience of the initiative revealed four key approaches for sustainable access to incentive programs for families who own high water recharge areas:  

• Provide technical assistance for families in areas with very high-water recharge through the Municipal Forestry Office (OFM). Families can contribute small percentages of their incentives to the OFM to sustain the cost of a technician. 
• Provide technical assistance through the OFM, whose technician can fulfill the role of the regent. 
• Strengthen collaboration between the Municipal Water and Sanitation Office (OMAS) and the OFM to improve the connection between forestry issues and soil and water. 
• Leverage community-based and municipal and regional organizations to facilitate this benefit to landowners. 

2. Results of the climate risk assessment and their connection to access to national forest incentive programs 

The assessment results provided a baseline for informed decision-making, enabling municipal authorities and WASH sector stakeholders to prioritize the most impactful interventions. This information guides the implementation of improvement strategies—ensuring targeted, sustainable, and high-impact actions for the long-term climate resilience of drinking water services. 

A panorama of important progress and structural challenges was revealed. The main vulnerabilities can be summarized as follows: 

• Coverage and age of the systems: The municipality has 89.9% drinking water coverage, but more than 50% of the water systems have been in operation for more than 20 years, which compromises their technical resilience and requires rehabilitation actions. 
• Climate threats: 100% of the catchment areas are located in zones of very high climate threat (droughts and landslides), representing a structural risk to the continuity of the service and the need to implement protection measures, source diversification and climate adaptation. 
• Environmental conditions: 58% of catchment areas are located on slopes greater than 25% and only 35% have forest cover. Micro-basins face risks of erosion, loss of flow, and damage to infrastructure, so it is necessary to integrate conservation, ecological restoration, and source protection projects. 
• Water potential: 86% of the sources are in areas of high-water recharge, a strategic advantage for water security that must be leveraged through joint management with neighboring micro-basins and comprehensive protection plans.  
• The proposed plan (2025–2032) includes a structural transformation in water management, based on resilient infrastructure, institutional strengthening, monitoring, inclusive governance, and environmental sustainability. 
• Community awareness: Low perceptions of climate risks limit informed decision-making, although signs of change are emerging that represent an opportunity to strengthen water culture and social participation in climate resilience. 

• Priority actions identified: Source protection and restoration - Demand control - Supply expansion; Preventive maintenance - Rehabilitation of networks and tanks - Adaptive works; Training of departamental development councils and committees - Community risk management plans; Coordination with the municipality, national ministries of health and environment MARN, MSPAS - Inter-institutional cooperation agreements; 

  Image 1: Map of Climate Hazards in San Bartolomé Jocotenango

  
   Image 2:  Map of water recharge areas and forest coverage in San Bartolomé Jocotenango