Nicaragua
From 2008-2010 the CSI was implemented in Nicaragua by La Red Nicaraguėnse por la Democracia y el Desarrollo Local (RNDDL).
Restrictions and the politicisation of civic space: challenges for civil society in Nicaragua
The key finding of the CSI study in Nicaragu a relates to the external environment dimension, which assesses the conditions within which civil society operates. This was the lowest score of all five dimensions in the Nicaraguan CSI, and the report notes that the situation shifted rapidly during the process of the research study. Two contradictory trends are revealed. Over the last few decades, many CSOs have promoted human rights and citizen participation in public administration, in particular for vulnerable groups such as women, children and indigenous peoples. After concerted campaigns, a series of laws were passed favouring political democratisation, such as the law of citizen participation and the public information access law, in an effort to strengthen spheres of dialogue and negotiation with the state. But at the same time, and contradicting this democratisation process, the major political parties made a pact to dole out state powers and set electoral rules that suit them. The report suggests that disregard of the rule of law and the application of rigged laws has been a historical trend, in which the current government participates.
Case Studies (in Spanish):
“La Practica de la Transparencia en la Sociedad Civil Nicaragüense: La Experiencia de La Cuculmeca”
“La Incidencia en Politicas Ambientales: La Experiencia del Centro Humboldt”
CSI Country Reports in Nicaragua
- Nicaragua CSI Report: Full Report