COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
WHAT WE DO
With Opportunity International Nicaragua, all projects are community led. Despite differences in religious background or political beliefs, people come together to create change using their different abilities. We strive to serve as a partner for these groups by walking alongside them with guidance and support, rather than leading initiatives from the front. In this way, we empower and invest in leaders while providing essential assistance such as seed capital, technical knowledge, and business planning to address community issues.
OUR PROJECTS
1 |
Community Infrastructure
roads, water, electricity
2 |
Leadership Development
leadership seminars, technical
3 |
Spiritual Development
supporting spiritual growth both with staff and in communities we serve, YoungLife groups, church loans, cooperation among diverse Christian congregations
4 |
Financial Literacy
savings and credit group support, training seminars
5 |
Health
traveling women’s health clinic, therapy and grief counseling support
CED CORE PRINCIPLES
Collaborative effort/community based - most significant change occurs locally at the family and community level in collaboration with partners
Asset based - leveraging their existing assets, not just focused on needs
Lead with economic development - their greatest felt need/emphasis on SME development
Strategic partnerships - leveraging partnerships that contribute to family and community thriving
Shared economic benefits - by partnering WITH the low-income families
Role of outsiders - facilitating, advising, connecting, and resourcing (as appropriate) - not top-down directives
Long term, on the ground commitment - “generational” work in authentic relationship
In accordance with the Community Economic Development model, we implement our Core Principles into every community initiative in Nicaragua. After leading with economic development through the agriculture program, we follow up with communities by working alongside local leaders to address their greatest felt needs.
The goal of the community development program is to solve pressing issues while forming current and future local leadership. This holistic and sustainable methodology gives our partners the opportunity to use their own skills while receiving the missing tools to solve problems as prioritized by the community.
OUR IMPACT IN 2022
21
municipalities
9
communities
15,605
individuals
OUR PROGRAMS
105
water projects
4
leadership trainings
health service projects
100
