Quarterly Report 27 (May 2021 – July 2021)

This period marked the completion of the annual municipal programming cycle, with target municipal offices and commissions finalizing their annual operations plans and project proposals. Municipal employees also faced critical crisis response activities due to the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in rural communities. Many administrations and officials who took office in 2020 were managing municipal planning procedures for the first time, adding complexity to the preparation of operations plans. Under strict security protocols and guidance, Nexos Locales transitioned to a blended modality of in-person and virtual technical assistance provision. This combination helped municipalities complete relevant tasks in key areas such as financial management. As the Western Highlands region experienced record-breaking immigration rates to the United States, Nexos Locales continued supporting municipal governments in tackling key development challenges that underpin illegal immigration drivers through increased investments in economic growth opportunities for women, youth, and indigenous peoples. Nexos Locales provided technical assistance to the Municipal Financial Directorates in 22 municipalities, emphasizing the preparation of finance reports to complete the close of 2020 accounts. Twenty municipalities finalized and registered their Annual Contracting and Purchasing Plan in the Guatecompras system, promoting transparency in municipal contracting processes and facilitating the participation of local vendors into municipal-funded supply chains. The Municipal Financial Directorates continued implementing means to increase own-source revenue generation, receiving assistance on property tax management and the implementation of electronic service fee collection means. The project assisted Municipal Youth Offices and women and youth networks in municipalities under coverage to finalize the preparation of their operations plans. Nexos Locales encouraged collaboration between Municipal Youth Offices and youth networks to develop youth-centered initiatives. In the municipality of Cunén and Sibinal, authorities approved a combined total of Q128,000 to finance professional and artistic capacity-building programs for an estimated 100 young people. Nexos Locales also completed and launched an updated version of the Citizen's Guide to Municipal Budgets, incorporating sections on government finance platforms and budgetary planning with a gender equity focus. Nexos Locales worked with the Municipal Water and Sanitation Offices to improve water provision, quality, and monitoring. The project completed its first annual round of water quality monitoring, noting that 13 municipalities of the 21 included in the evaluation are fully complying with the Ministry of Health's water quality standards. The remaining municipalities did not pass the tests due to an overuse or underuse of water disinfection mechanisms. The project also worked with the Municipal Water and Sanitation Offices to implement prioritized activities from the Water Investment Plans. In the municipality of Tacaná, a water infrastructure upgrade campaign that will benefit 11,952 users was completed with a municipal investment of Q 5,000. The project provided technical assistance to the Municipal Commissions for Economic Growth, Tourism, Environment, and Natural Resources, the Municipal Offices for Local Economic Development, and the Municipal Women's Directorates to develop project profiles to increase economic opportunities for women, youth, and indigenous peoples. Seven municipalities allocated a total of Q 1,748,750 for the implementation of 12 women-centered projects, while two economic growth initiatives were approved in the municipalities of Totonicapán and Todos Santos totaling Q 324,950. These initiatives will support poultry-keeping, agricultural and textile production, as well as manufacturing training for producers.