Local Economic Development in Nicaragua

The United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), in collaboration with the government of Nicaragua and the Nicaraguan Institute of Municipal Development (INIFOM), established the Fondo de Inversi?n para el Desarollo Econ?mico Local (FIDEL) in 2008. Its mandate is to promote food security in communities with high or extreme poverty. The Capstone team observed how these funds were used in two municipalities, Morrito and San Miguelito. Over a ten day period, the Capstone team conducted interviews with local municipal authorities, program beneficiaries, and representatives of Nicaraguan central government agencies. The team pursued two primary lines of investigation related to local economic development: municipal level capacity (institutional, technical, financial) for strategic planning; and the process employed by INIFOM to generate investment projects and ensure sustainable projects that address community needs.