BTS 2025 Delegation to Guatemala: Sowing Seeds of Justice in San Lucas Tolíman
October 26 to November 5, 2025
Join us next year for the BTS 2025 Delegation to Guatemala, taking place October 26th to November 5th in San Lucas Tolíman! You’ll have the opportunity to build international solidarity and learn about permaculture, sustainability, and Fair Trade coffee production from our long-time partners, the Mesoamerican Permaculture Institute (IMAP) and the Campesino Committee of the Highlands (CCDA).
BTS is excited to offer this agriculture-focused delegation to the Maya Kaqchikel community of San Lucas Tolíman. This is a wonderful follow-up to the 2023 Maritimes tour by IMAP Coordinator, María Inés Cuj who met with organic farmers and Mi’kmaq community agriculture leaders during her time with us. We hope that many of you who attended the IMAP tour events will join this delegation, as well as anyone with a passion for regenerative agriculture, food sovereignty, and agroecology.
If you’re interested in applying and want to learn more, we invite you to attend a virtual information session on Wednesday, November 13 at 7 p.m. ATL.
We’ll go through the planned activities for the delegation, explain how we can support your fundraising efforts, and leave plenty of time for Q&A so you can discern whether this delegation is a good fit for you. If you’d like to attend the webinar, please email Megan Miller to register: megan@tatacentre.com
Applications for the BTS 2025 Delegation are open now until December 1st, 2024
To apply, please contact Arturo Ezquerro-Cañete to request an application form: btsmaritimescoordinator@gmail.com
What is this delegation about?
BTS regularly invites Maritimers to learn about the struggles for social, environmental, and economic justice in Guatemala through delegations. Delegations offer a privileged and meaningful opportunity to open yourself up to learn about the efforts of BTS partners and connect their struggles for justice, human rights, and social transformation with those in Canada.
Our goal for this agriculture-focused delegation is to bring Indigenous organizers, regenerative farmers, and those who are passionate about food sovereignty, agroecology, and seed saving together to collectively share knowledge and learn from our Maya Kaqchikel partners.
During the BTS 2025 Delegation, IMAP will offer you hands-on experiences to learn about their philosophy and permaculture practices. While IMAP is the primary focus, you will also spend time with the CCDA to learn about their Fair Trade coffee project — which is supported by BTS and Just Us! Coffee — and their courageous land and labour rights work with communities. Plus, you will get the chance to experience the Day of the Dead commemorative celebrations in San Lucas Tolíman on November 1st!
Who is leading this delegation?
We’re pleased to have BTS Guatemala Coordinator and IMAP volunteer, Martha Schmitz co-lead this delegation in collaboration with BTS Network member, Juan Tun who is originally from San Lucas Tolíman.
How much does the delegation cost?
The cost to participate is $3,000. The fee includes:
- Airfare to and from Guatemala;
- Transportation in Guatemala;
- Meals and accommodations;
- Leadership and translation services;
- Workshops and presentations by partner organizations; and the
- Required pre-trip orientation and post-delegation debrief.
BTS is experienced in supporting delegates to successfully fundraise to cover the delegation cost, including identifying and applying to funding sources, developing successful fundraising materials and events, and providing bursaries (especially for, but not limited to, BIPOC delegates). Information on fundraising will be shared at the required Information Day on Friday, October 18th.
Additional information:
BTS delegations are physically and emotionally challenging. The application process (including the information day) is an opportunity for applicants and leaders to discern whether this is the right time and experience for each person.
- Participants will be notified of a payment schedule. Failure to meet the payment schedule without making other arrangements will be deemed as withdrawal from the tour.
- Participants require a passport that will remain valid until six months after the trip.
- All participants are expected to be fully vaccinated, including boosters, unless a medical exemption has been given.
- Tatamagouche Centre reserves the right to cancel or postpone this delegation, if necessary. Cancellation may occur, for example, if a minimum number of participants are not selected, or if travel to Guatemala is not possible (i.e., natural disaster or political crisis.)
- The tour includes a day-long information session, a second overnight session and a debriefing session upon return on a mutually-agreed date. These sessions are required. BTS has learned that they are essential to the development of a collaborative, supportive group and to good preparation for the delegation trip experience.
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