Sustaining Green and Inclusive Agricultural Supply Chains in Guatemala (VER CRECER)

Background

Guatemala's path to sustainable development and equitable growth requires a multifaceted approach. This approach must prioritize the integration of environmental sustainability, the promotion of gender equality, respect for human rights, and labour standards, thereby ensuring that economic advancements benefit all segments of society equitably. RBC can be a powerful driver in this context, fostering a sustainable economic model that considers adverse impacts on people, planet, and society, and promotes the principles of accountability and inclusivity throughout business operations and supply chains.

The project aims to increase the uptake of enterprises in Guatemala, including micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), of internationally agreed principles on Responsible Business Conduct (RBC) taking into account EU regulatory and policy developments on RBC, particularly the EU Green Deal. This strategic alignment ensures that the project not only promotes sustainable business practices but also prepares Guatemalan enterprises to meet environmental and social governance standards taking into account regulatory and policy developments on RBC and due diligence.

The project focuses on five key value chains — coffee, cocoa, palm oil, sugar, and wood and wood products.

Project outcomes

The Overall Objective (Impact) of this project is to support inclusive economic development in Guatemala through:

• Increased uptake of enterprises in Guatemala, including MSMEs, of internationally agreed principles on Responsible Business Conduct, notably the ILO MNE Declaration and taking into account EU regulatory and policy developments on RBC, particularly the EU Green Deal.
• Strengthened capacity of business, including MSMEs in five key agricultural supply chains to conduct due diligence, reduce deforestation and transition to sustainable value chains in line with international RBC standards.

To achieve this objective, this Action will provide technical advice and policy guidance, research and analysis, awareness raising, peer learning, knowledge sharing, and capacity building.

Implementing partners

• International Labour Organization
• Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
• Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development

Summary of the 2025–2026 VER CRECER – ILO Report

Advancing Responsible Business Conduct in Agricultural Value Chains in Guatemala

© ILO

© ILO

The ILO is strengthening responsible business conduct (RBC) in Guatemala across five agricultural value chains—coffee, cocoa, palm oil, sugar cane, and wood—through capacity‑building for enterprises, workers’ organizations, and public institutions. Recent actions included initial labour‑due‑diligence training, tailored support to sectoral organizations such as AGEXPORT and CAMAGRO, development of virtual learning tools, and Just Transition capacity‑building with the Ministry of Labour. In 2026, the ILO will deepen support by guiding cocoa and wood enterprises in applying the OIE–ILO self‑assessment tool on the labour dimension of RBC and by developing a sector‑specific compliance guide for the wood industry to help companies meet national labour standards and emerging EU due diligence and deforestation‑free requirements.