Institute of Social Action

SCIAF works with the Institute of Social Action ‘Juan XXIII’ to run community development projects with a strong emphasis on strengthening community groups and supporting them to advocate at a municipal level.

The institute, based in Managua, has years of experience in responding to, and preparing for, the many natural disasters that have afflicted its people, where survivors are immediately at risk from hunger, exposure, contaminated water and disease.

SCIAF supported the institute to help rebuild homes and livelihoods following Hurricane Mitch in 1998. This included training to improve agricultural production and support for families and teachers to ensure that children were able to attend school. SCIAF’s involvement also helps to strengthen community organisations so they can lobby the local government directly for infrastructure, education and health service improvements.