The Heinrich Böll Foundation's Regional Office Central America is relocating to Guatemala City from 2026 on. After 30 years of successful work in Central America from San Salvador, the office there had to put down its service in 2025 due to the enactment of the “Foreign Agents Law”. As the international office of a non-profit German political foundation affiliated with the green political party Bündnis 90/Die Grünen, we work to protect our planet, promote human rights and achieve greater ecological and social justice.
The Regional Office Central America works together with partner organizations from El Salvador, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua that fight for sustainable, just, free, diverse and inclusive societies and support the participation of civil society in political decision-making processes. As a green think tank and future lab, we develop contributions from research and local experience on the challenges to socio-ecological transformation and participatory democracy, against restrictions on freedom of press and for the rule of law. We create spaces for civil society and political actors in their countries as well as in exile to engage in dialogue on reforms to overcome discrimination and injustice and on proposals for socially and ecologically just models of society and production. We support the education and training of leaders, gender equality and integrate the right to diversity into all programs.
Democracy and human rights
In the democracy component, we work together with actors from Central America's democratic civil society to form strategic alliances against growing authoritarian and anti-feminist developments. Together, we promote young leaders and focus on transformative communication strategies to strengthen democratic reforms and future-oriented ideas from a feminist perspective.
Transnationally organized, anti-feminist movements are increasingly endangering human rights - especially those of women, LGBTIQ+ people and other marginalized groups. Human rights organizations are under growing pressure and are facing increased attacks and repression. Together with our partner organizations, we advocate for the protection of sexual and reproductive rights and for the right to diversity as a central element of human dignity.
We promote a culture of respect and consistently challenge discriminatory ways of thinking - racist, sexist, homophobic and trans-hostile or based on religious fundamentalism.
Our work includes expert discussions, advisory services and events at national and regional level. In order to effectively support democratic forces in an increasingly authoritarian environment, we rely on strong alliances for good governance. Regional networking of local organizations and political decision-makers - supported by the media and experts - is becoming increasingly important.
Socio-ecological transformation
The Heinrich Böll Foundation's Regional Office Central America works specifically with ecofeminist organizations and civil society alliances that are committed to socio-ecological and just environmental and economic models. This involves strengthening local communities, especially indigenous groups, and defending their rights and territories. The exchange of experiences and the promotion of transnational alliances play a central role in this.
The partner organizations of the Heinrich Böll Foundation strengthen networks through capacity building in organizational management, territorial monitoring, political-legal analyses and strategic communication. Special attention is paid to the promotion of women in leadership roles and historically marginalized groups advocating for environmental policies and ecofeminism.
These activities consolidate existing alliances, expand their influence and enable greater participation in political decision-making processes at local, national and regional level. In this way, they contribute to the recognition of civil society actors as legitimate key players in environmental policy and socio-ecological reforms.
In the long term, this commitment promotes the development of fairer, more equal and sustainable societies in Central America by changing power relations, protecting territories and comprehensively recognizing rights.
Opening year:
1995 - 2025 San Salvador, from 2026 Guatemala City
Director:
Ingrid Hausinger
Contact:
Fundación Heinrich Böll, Oficina Centroamérica
Guatemala City
Guatemala
Tel: +503 70390968
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