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Mérida, Mexico
Mérida is the capital of the state of Yucatan, founded on the foundations of the Mayan civilization 482 years ago at the meeting of worldviews and multicultural knowledge.
groups
City population
995,129
person
Member since
2024
Mayor
Municipal President of Mérida Mr Alejandro Iván Ruz Castro
Vision
Mérida is committed to a number of key objectives aimed at preserving its multicultural identity, promoting the teaching and learning of language and inherited cultural heritage, ensuring equitable educational opportunities, especially for historically excluded groups, and providing gender-sensitive education for young people and the unemployed. The city is dedicated to improving urban living conditions and air quality through the promotion of alternative transportation and environmental stewardship.
Policies, plan and implementation
Sustainability and health
The Green and Healthy Learning City strategy emphasizes behavioural change, environmental protection and citizen engagement. School sports initiatives, bike campaigns, self-care workshops and the Héroes de la Abuelita Tierra project aim to foster active citizenship. These efforts are supported by 79 programmes from organizations like HUNAB, the Sustainable Development Unit, Fab City Yucatan and the local Education Secretariat (SEGEY).
Equity and inclusion
Mérida is committed to bridging the education divide and ensuring that everyone has access to learning. Through the Integral Programme of Learning for Life, the aim is to reclaim the cultural heritage of the Mayan language and include more than 70,000 speakers in the education system. By enhancing programmes in Development Centres and the Integral Centre for the Fulfilment of Older Adults, the city provides non-formal educational opportunities for adults as well as young children aged 4–6 who are not enrolled in pre-school education.
Decent work and entrepreneurship
A number of city initiatives, among them the Municipal Fund for Culture, Sustainable Development and Learning, aim to improve the local economy and deliver skills-building opportunities for the unemployed. These also strengthen the work carried out by the University of Anáhuac, Fab Lab, the Autonomous University of Yucatán and the municipality.
Good practices
‘Centros Mérida Aprende’ (CEMAS) (Mérida Learns Centres)
This project has repurposed six public buildings in vulnerable neighbourhoods to create spaces for community development. The focus is on culture, sports, personal development and health, and the community is actively involved in designing and managing these spaces in order to foster cultural transformation at the grassroots level.
‘Servicios de Enseñanza Ambiental en Comunidades Urbanas, Rurales e Indígenas’ (Environmental Education Services in Urban, Rural and Indigenous Communities)
This collaborative initiative involves multiple organizations and aims to provide environmental education to 10,000 students, 851 teachers and a number of rural groups through engaging activities, workshops and the distribution of the HUNAB environmental newsletter.
‘El Instituto Municipal para el Fortalecimiento de la Cultura Maya’ (Municipal Institute for the Strengthening of Mayan Culture)
This institute promotes the recognition and development of Mayan culture, emphasizing language, traditions, customs and community development. It offers language training, artistic workshops, cultural celebrations and advice for other cities on preserving their indigenous heritage.