Instituto Mesoamericano de Permacultura (IMAP)

The Mesoamerican Permaculture Institute (IMAP) is a non-profit organization based in Guatemala, founded in 2000 out of environmental, social, and cultural concerns. Its educational center promotes ancestral and ethical permaculture practices, biodiversity conservation, and native seed preservation, challenging the introduction of transgenics. It has educated thousands on land regeneration and supported over 150,000 producers towards food sovereignty. IMAP also addresses discrimination and racism, advocating for sovereignty and biodiversity conservation in Mesoamerica. IMAP's vision is to develop permaculture skills to ensure food sovereignty, community development, and biodiversity conservation. Its mission aims for access to good living, protection of native seeds, and biodiversity through permaculture education and Mayan knowledge. Ethically, they promote care for the earth, people, and resource sharing. In its structure, IMAP integrates internal transparency and democracy, with an Assembly of Associates and a Board of Directors. Its capacity lies in a self-sustainable approach and diverse human resources. They own land for agricultural activities and employ bilingual technicians. They promote agroecology for sustainable food and defend ancestral practices and local diversity. IMAP advocates for responsible governance, empowering communities and women, and using farmer-to-farmer methods. They execute education, biodiversity conservation, and food sovereignty programs, aiming to strengthen institutions and communities while promoting social and gender justice.