Civil Society and Democratization (1996–1997)

U.S. Agencies

U.S. Agency for International Development

Japan Agencies

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Context

Part of ongoing NGO work in El Salvador and incorporated into the Common Agenda.

Goals

To facilitate voter outreach and civic education, to provide transportation to voting centers, and to provide evaluation forums.

Significance

After the Salvadoran Civil War ended in 1992, the country moved toward democracy. The U.S. and Japan began working with NGOs to help this process in 1996 in preparation for the 1997 municipal and legislative elections. They worked to expand civic education and voter outreach, reaching hundreds of thousands of people. On Election Day, they gave approximately 95,000 people from rural areas free transport to voting centers. After the elections, they also provided evaluation forums and training for the future.