Let’s Vote - Shaping the Future #NosToca

In our 2023 Electoral Project, we aimed to provide information to the citizens about the significance of voting and the political participation of young people and women. We recognized the importance of inclusivity and empowerment in the democratic process and thus focused on promoting the engagement of women and young individuals in politics.

Problem Statement:

Young people in diverse communities need to engage in informed voter registration in order to actively participate in the democratic process, addressing doubts and misinformation; our project focuses on providing information through campaigns, published columns, alliances, and forums to empower them in this crucial civic responsibility.

Target Group:

Our primary target group comprises young people aged 15 to 24 and women, with a broader focus on reaching various demographic groups across the city of Guatemala.

Proposed Solution:

By 2023, our hub envisions establishing the "Let's Vote!" project as a cornerstone in the electoral landscape, recognized for its significance and reliability nationwide. Aligned with the values of the Global Shapers Guatemala community, we advocate for a world where youth actively contribute to solutions, policy-making, and enduring transformations. Our specific focus on the 2023 elections underscores the pivotal role young people play in shaping a better Guatemala, emphasizing the need for their informed participation.

As the Guatemala City Hub, we are committed to engaging Guatemalans, with a primary emphasis on the youth, in making well-informed decisions. Our mission extends beyond mere awareness to fostering a comprehensive understanding of the political and electoral systems. Through this initiative, we aim to empower citizens to advocate for collective, efficient, and sustainable public policies that will contribute to the nation's growth and prosperity.

Hub Activities:

• Global Shapers Social Media Campaign:
  
  
  • Implement a targeted social media campaign providing clear information on voter registration processes.
  
  
  • Engage Global Shapers as active voices in the campaign, urging fellow youth to participate in an informed vote.
  
  
  
  


• Podcast in Partnership with the Tribunal Supremo Electoral:
  
  
  • Collaborate with the Tribunal Supremo Electoral to produce a podcast featuring young leaders actively involved in encouraging youth registration and informed voting.
  
  
  • Showcase the importance of citizen engagement in reshaping Guatemala and highlight the role of the electoral system.
  
  
  
  


• Women in Politics Forum:
  
  
  • Organize a forum featuring exclusively female candidates running for office, aiming to address the gender gap in politics.
  
  
  • Provide a platform for women leaders to present their proposals, emphasizing the importance of diverse representation in governance.
  
  
  
  


• "Nuestra Elección" Initiative:
  
  
  • Launch the "Nuestra Elección" initiative, a Citizen Network dedicated to combating misinformation, promoting civic education, and advocating good governance practices.
  
  
  • Execute a series of activities, including a Meeting of Good Practices, Local Meetings in collaboration with the Desconfío Organization, and a Workshop on Disinformation in collaboration with Chequeado.
  
  
  
  


• Youth-Centric Column in Media:
  
  
  • Establish a column in a youth-oriented media outlet, specifically targeting students eager to understand and participate in the election process.
  
  
  • Use the column as a platform to encourage active involvement in the democratic process, emphasizing the impact young voices can have on shaping the future of Guatemala.
  
  
  
  

Short & Long-Term Goals/Results:

Short-Term Goals/Results (Within 6 Months)

• Increased Awareness: Enhance awareness among young people aged 15 to 24 regarding voter registration procedures through a comprehensive Global Shapers Social Media Campaign.


• Podcast Engagement: Produce and distribute at least 100 engaging podcasts, showcasing the Tribunal Supremo Electoral partnership and emphasizing the importance of informed youth participation in the electoral process.


• Successful Women in Politics Forum: Organize a well-attended Women in Politics Forum with participation from all female candidates, generating meaningful conversations around gender representation and inspiring young people to engage with the candidates.

Long-Term Goals/Results (Within 1 Year or More)

• Empowered Citizenry: Establish "Nuestra Elección" as a trusted and reliable platform, reaching 1,000 citizens through local meetings and workshops, empowering them to identify and counter disinformation effectively.


• Youth Media Impact: Secure a dedicated youth readership for the column in the young media outlet, aiming to attract 100 regular readers, fostering a culture of political awareness and engagement among students.


• Measurable Increase in Voter Turnout: Contribute to a significant increase in voter turnout among young people in the 2023 elections, reflecting the effectiveness of the comprehensive awareness and engagement initiatives led by the Global Shapers Guatemala City Hub.

Available Metrics:

●     Social Media Campaign Engagement:

Successfully engaged more than 1,500 young people in the social media campaign, surpassing the initial goal and indicating a widespread awareness of voter registration processes.

●     Women in Politics Forum:

Collaborated with Sophos and Citizen to host a forum titled "La importancia de la participación política de las mujeres en Guatemala: Es nuestro momento," featuring five women candidates for Congress. This event highlighted the significance of women's political involvement and garnered significant attention.

●     Podcast Success with TSE:

Produced a podcast in partnership with the Tribunal Supremo Electoral (TSE) that attracted over 500 listeners. The podcast effectively conveyed the importance of informed youth participation in the electoral process, achieving its goal of reaching a substantial audience.

●     Youth-Centric Column:

Successfully published a column in an online media outlet dedicated to young people, particularly students of the Universidad Rafael Landívar. This column served as an informative resource on the voting process and showcased Global Shapers' impact in Guatemala.

●     Partnerships for Combating Disinformation:

Formed a strategic partnership with Red Ciudadana and collaborated with Desconfío and Chequeado to conduct three intensive workshops on disinformation. These workshops demonstrated a commitment to combating misinformation and promoting civic education.

Collaborators:

• Tribunal Supremo Electoral -TSE-


• Red Ciudadana


• Brújula