As we reflect on 2024, recent reports from the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) offer a clear path forward. These reports highlight the interconnection of five global crises—biodiversity, water, food, health, and climate change—and propose concrete solutions to address them collectively. They also conclude that this integrated approach makes economic sense: over half of global GDP (more than $50 trillion) depends on nature, and the hidden costs of current “siloed” approaches amount to at least $10–25 trillion per year.

Latin America and the Caribbean, with their extraordinary natural wealth and cultural diversity, are uniquely positioned to lead the implementation of these transformative strategies. From the Amazon rainforest to Patagonia and the Mesoamerican Reef, the region’s ecosystems sustain life on a global scale. However, we face unprecedented pressures: climate change is altering livelihoods, exacerbating inequalities, and accelerating biodiversity loss. Cascading impacts—rising sea levels, prolonged droughts, and habitat destruction—disproportionately affect Indigenous peoples, coastal communities, and small-scale farmers, the stewards of our lands who now face enormous challenges to adapt.

Despite these difficulties, 2024 showed us that resilience and regeneration are possible. Across Latin America, communities, entrepreneurs, and governments are innovating solutions that protect ecosystems while empowering those most affected. These efforts reflect IPBES’s call for transformative change: to integrate local knowledge, promote inclusive development, and prioritize nature-based solutions to build a sustainable future.

At Mayma, we fully embrace this vision. For 19 years, we have empowered entrepreneurial communities to foster a more conscious, inclusive, and regenerative economy. Through our Mayma Academy and Impact Acceleration programs, we’ve supported over 9,600 entrepreneurs and SMEs, building a vibrant community of triple-impact entrepreneurs committed to tackling the region’s most urgent challenges.

In 2024, our Regenerative Territories initiatives expanded across three distinct bioregions, all unified by the theme of “blue.” Our Mayma Azul area grew significantly, connecting marine biologists, oceanographers, aquaculture specialists, and business leaders to strengthen local livelihoods while restoring marine and coastal ecosystems. Among our key achievements: Supporting fish-farming communities in Argentina’s Atlantic Forest, Creating a roadmap for sustainable seaweed aquaculture in Northern Patagonia, Chile, Exploring the economic potential of sargassum for local communities along Mexico’s Caribbean coast.

These accomplishments were made possible through alliances with community organizations, local governments, national companies, and international foundations, proving the power of radical collaboration.

To our partners, board members, advisory council, and our extraordinary team: thank you for navigating this “blue year” with passion and determination. Together, we are proving that waves of change can create transformative progress.

Enjoy our 2024 Impact Report, and I look forward to continuing this journey with you in 2025.

Warm regards,

Rose Vervenne

Executive Director of Mayma