Young people spearhead the social and economic development of Aguilares and Paisnal municipalities

Young people from El Salvador especially those from marginalized backgrounds such as rural areas and gang-controlled neighborhoods frequently experience violence and face limited access to resources and opportunities.

This leaves them vulnerable to discrimination and stigmatization with few options aside from migration to escape violence and systemic economic inequality.

The IAF is committed to expanding opportunities for youth to earn more income and take greater leadership in their communities.

Our grantee Asociación Para el Desarrollo de El Salvador (CRIPDES) will solidify its youth-adult partnership model by  accompanying youth-led organization Asociación Intersectorial para el Desarrollo Integral de la Juventud de El Salvador (ADIJUVES) to strengthen its institutional capacity to promote the economic and social development of youth in two municipalities of the department of San Salvador.

Together these organizations heighten youth community involvement and rootedness by increasing young people’s knowledge and technical skills in natural resource management cultural heritage and entrepreneurship.This grant is part of the IAF's efforts to build inclusive societies and address chronic violence as one of the causes of irregular migration in Central America.