Nicaragua

Asociación Hagamos Democracia
$74,000
To provide citizens with information on the National Assembly, and to increase transparency and accountability in the use of discretionary social funds by legislators. Hagamos will publish a “Democracy Barometer” newsletter that will analyze the state of democracy from a civil society perspective. Hagamos will organize four public forums with youth and grassroots leaders to disseminate information about the legislature, discuss threats to democracy in the country, and encourage participation in next year’s national elections.

Civic Education
$44,000
To improve the understanding of democratic issues and civil and political rights among community leaders. Through a series of workshops, the organization will train community leaders on democratic issues and legislation regarding regional autonomy, municipalities, common land titling, indigenous rights, and women’s rights to equip them to better advocate for their rights and participate in political processes and decision-making.

Centro de Investigaciones de la Comunicación (CINCO)
$40,500
To promote analysis and public debate on issues related to democracy and governance in Nicaragua. CINCO will monitor democracy and governance issues, including the political system, social and political conflict, citizens’ perceptions, and international trends affecting the country. Based on this information, CINCO will produce a radio program on local governance issues and a monthly magazine with political analysis.

Comisión Permanente de Derechos Humanos de Nicaragua (CPDH)
$55,000
To improve access to justice in four departments of Nicaragua. CPDH will provide legal advice and support to citizens in cases where access to justice is denied or illegally delayed, to ensure respect of their right to justice. CPDH will monitor citizens’ access to the judicial system. Finally, CPDH will facilitate interactions between citizens and judicial officials to identify obstacles to accessing justice and to coordinate solutions.

Corporación de Radios AM y FM de Occidente (CORASA)
$35,260
To encourage citizen participation through the promotion of access to identity cards in the municipality of Leon. CORASA will produce and conduct a media campaign in the municipality of Leon to raise awareness and disseminate information on the multiple uses of identity cards and the process for obtaining one. Further, CORASA will provide direct technical and economic support for citizens as they undergo the application process.

Federación Red Nicaragüense por la Democracia y el Desarrollo Local (Red Local)
$55,000
To strengthen the ability of civil society organizations (CSOs) to influence public policy and to raise awareness of the contributions of CSOs in strengthening democracy and citizenship. Red Local will create a strategy of local development based on citizen participation and decentralization and will provide technical assistance to implement it. Additionally, Red Local will organize a Democracy Fair where CSOs can publicize their efforts to improve society.

Fundación Iberoamericana de la Cultura (FIBRAS)
$75,000
To encourage citizen participation and discussion of democratic values in marginalized communities in Managua. Fibras will train 120 local leaders in four districts of Managua on citizen participation tools, including political advocacy and social communication. Additionally, Fribras will facilitate community forums and meetings to discuss democratic values and current democratic challenges in Nicaragua.

Fundación Orlando Robleto Gallo (FORG)
$29,580
To increase the understanding and use of Nicaragua’s access to public information law. FORG will conduct 12 training workshops targeting grassroots leaders, political party representatives, and local journalists. Following the workshops, FORG will facilitate the formation of a local committee to advocate for increased access to information.

Grupo Projusticia
$37,250
To raise awareness, especially among youth, about constitutional rights in Nicaragua, and to promote the defense and respect of the Nicaraguan Constitution. Projusticia will conduct a series of seminars on constitutional rights with university students from across the country and will disseminate similar information through a radio program, copies of the Constitution and text messages.

The grant listings posted here are from tthe 2010 Annual Report, published in August 2011.