The Maya Golden Landscape encompasses a number of communities, particularly the villages of Medina Bank, Golden Stream and Indian Creek. These primarily Mayan communities generally use their landscape in a traditional way, earning their living from farming of corn, beans, cacao and other crops. However, with an ever increasing population, there is more competition for the once abundant natural resources.

To assist communities in preparing for their ever-changing socio-economic situation, Ya'axché is working as an equal partner with them to develop community resource use and developmental plans. This will assist the communities to meet the needs of current and future generations through increased self-sufficiency.

To date, Ya'axché has assisted Indian Creek village to produce its first ever community development plan and is currently assisting Medina Bank to do the same.

Community development planning is an activity listed under the Maya Golden Landscape Management Strategy and is complemented by the Maya Golden Landscape Business Planning Strategy. After developing the plan, Ya'axché provides support to communities in implementing them through its Community Outreach and Livelihoods Programme.