El Salvador
- Population:
- 7 million
- Capital city:
- San Salvador
- GDP per capita:
- $5,804
- HDI ranking:
- 106 out of 182
- Life expectancy:
- 71 years
VSO is working in El Salvador in the areas of protecting environments and managing natural resources, and youth economic and social inclusion.
Protecting environments and managing natural resources
Among the priorities identified in El Salvador’s National Development Plan are support for small businesses and micro-enterprises, protection of the environment, and promotion of decentralization, transparency and efficiency in governance. Rapid urbanization has contributed to pressure on the country’s natural resources, especially water – contamination of water is a significant issue. Civil society organisations working for environmental protection and the creation of a legal framework for conservation of natural resources find themselves in conflict with influential private interests.
VSO volunteers work to support:
strengthening of local capacity to respond effectively to the decentralization of management responsibilities and budgets
dissemination and adaptation of tools, mechanisms and methodologies for participatory planning and monitoring
local capacity for analysis and communication of the economic, social and environmental implications of alternative management strategies
local capacity for policy analysis and advocacy, and linkages to policy/advocacy networks
implementation of participatory resource and ecosystem assessments
documentation/adaptation of indigenous knowledge and traditional land use and resource management systems
local capacity to participate in and benefit from sustainable, resource-based economic activities.
Youth economic and social inclusion
Young people between the ages of 15 and 24 make up 20 per cent of the total population of El Salvador, and account for a quarter of the economically active population. The current youth unemployment rate is 12 per cent, while 41 per cent are underemployed.
Youth migration from El Salvador is common, especially to the United States where many join the notorious “maras,” gangs, entering a vicious circle of juvenile delinquency. El Salvador, like other Latin American countries, is in a stage of demographic transition, raising concerns for the future situation of these young people with respect to their role in social and economic development processes.
VSO volunteers work to support:
strengthening of youth groups/organisations
strategies for promoting economic activity that will generate income and employment for youth
initiatives to provide youth with job-skills training and improved access to micro-credit
increased youth participation in local economic development initiatives
awareness-raising, information and communication on issues relating to youth employment
strategies for engaging youth through the arts, culture and sports
participatory assessment and documentation of integrated youth employment centre pilot projects.
The impact of VSO is that young women and men confronting poverty, unemployment and social exclusion will have benefited from access to new opportunities for employment, education and community participation. VSO’s work in this program area in El Salvador is focused around the provincial town of Suchitoto, and is supported through a special partnership with Stratford, Ontario in Canada.
