Launch of the “Knowledge in Action” Fair in Esquipulas

• The event, to be held in September, will bring together multiple regional actors to share solutions to climate change

The city of Esquipulas, in Guatemala, is preparing to host the “Knowledge in Action: Scaling Solutions for the Central American Dry Corridor” Fair, a regional event to be held from September 8 to 10, 2025, which will bring together key stakeholders to jointly address the challenges and opportunities posed by climate change.

Its purpose is to become a meeting point for the exchange of experiences, the building of strategic alliances, and horizontal collaboration across sectors.

The fair is organized by the ESCALAR project: Scaling climate change adaptation solutions for resilience and reduced migration in the Central American Dry Corridor, led by CATIE (Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center), with the support of the Swedish Cooperation, and in partnership with the Trinational Commission of the Trifinio Plan and the Municipality of Esquipulas.

Over the course of three days, the event will focus on four key thematic areas for climate adaptation and resilience in the Dry Corridor:

• Climate adaptation in arid zones
• Restoration of productive landscapes: key to climate adaptation
• Policies and financing for climate adaptation, security, and sustainable development
• Rural enterprises led by women and youth for territorial rootedness

These topics will be addressed through forums, expert panels, dialogue tables, and knowledge product exhibitions, aiming to translate accumulated learning into concrete and replicable solutions for the region.

The Central American Dry Corridor —which spans territories in Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama— faces an increasing threat from extreme weather events such as prolonged droughts and intense rainfall. In this context, the ESCALAR project, funded by the Swedish Cooperation, has worked to strengthen the resilience of rural communities, promoting economic opportunities for producers, youth, and women, thereby encouraging their continued presence in the territories.

A recent external evaluation highlighted ESCALAR as an effective and relevant initiative, emphasizing the importance of spaces like this fair for sharing results, scaling up best practices, and fostering new synergies.

The Knowledge in Action Fair is projected to be a unique platform for generating commitments and driving sustainable actions in the Dry Corridor, putting knowledge at the service of resilient development.

For more information, visit: www.escalar.catie.ac.cr/conocimiento or contact us at: feria.escalar@catie.ac.cr / +506 2558-2092.