The Chevening Alumni community in Guatemala has carried out two initiatives aimed at advancing women’s economic participation and entrepreneurial leadership, bringing together professionals, students, and institutional partners for dialogue and collaboration.
The activities were organised through the Chevening Alumni programme with support from the Chevening Alumni Programme Fund (CAPF). Both events were led by Chevening Alumni and focused on addressing the challenges and opportunities facing women across Guatemala’s economic landscape, with participants drawn from a wide range of sectors.
The first initiative, titled “Woman in Entrepreneurship”, took place on Saturday, 17 January, at Fundación BI in Zone 4 of Guatemala City. More than 30 women attended the morning session, which centred on mentorship, professional exchange, and peer connection. The event featured a panel discussion that highlighted experiences from women working in construction, technology, gastronomy, and the arts.
Panellists shared personal and professional journeys, discussing barriers they have encountered alongside lessons learned and achievements gained. The discussion created an open environment that encouraged honest conversation and knowledge sharing, while also allowing participants to build new professional relationships. Organisers said the exchange contributed to a deeper collective understanding of the role women play within Guatemala’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
A second event followed on Thursday, 22 January, at Universidad del Valle de Guatemala (UVG). The academic exchange, titled “Women’s Economic Participation and Entrepreneurship in Guatemala”, was open to the public and free to attend. The session examined the economic realities faced by women through a multidisciplinary approach.
Chevening Alumni and invited professionals presented research findings, data, and case studies that explored ongoing gaps in education, racism, access to opportunities, and structural barriers affecting women’s participation in the labour market. The presentations outlined the complexity of these issues while highlighting the need for collaborative, evidence based responses. Attendees also took part in discussions that encouraged reflection and exchange between academia, civil society, and institutional partners.
Together, the two initiatives reflect the continued engagement of the Chevening network in Guatemala in supporting women’s leadership and economic equity. Through CAPF-supported activities, the programme continues to create spaces for learning, analysis, and collective action with a focus on long-term impact.
