SAN SALVADOR– Over a hundred people attended the launching of the SolucionES (Solutions) crime prevention project in the municipality of Ciudad Arce, La Libertad.  SolucionES is an innovative public-private partnership designed to prevent crime and violence in 50 communities in five high-risk municipalities of El Salvador through a joint effort with the private sector and municipal governments.

Over a five-year period, the project will receive $20 million from USAID, and the Alliance will raise an additional $22 million from foundations, corporations, municipalities and civil society, for a total contribution of $42 million. The amount of direct investment in SolucionES in San Martin is an estimated $400,000. The SolucionEs project contributes to achieving the goals of President Barack Obama’s Partnership for Growth (PFG) initiative, a joint effort between El Salvador and the United States to increase security and expand economic growth in El Salvador.

The alliance, which was announced nationwide in February, combines the experience and skills of five of El Salvador’s leading foundations:  the National Foundation for Development (FUNDE), the Salvadoran Foundation for Health and Human Development (FUSAL), Glasswing International, the Salvadoran Foundation for Economic and Social Development (FUSADES), and the Business Foundation for Educational Development (FEPADE).  FEPADE directs the Alliance and is responsible for project implementation. The five organizations have considerable experience in education, health, community and economic development, research and youth leadership.

In San Martin, SolucionES will provide technical assistance to the city council and residents to implement the crime prevention plan and various activities, including training for youth and their families on conflict prevention, youth leadership programs, training for youth entrepreneurship and extracurricular clubs, such as soccer leagues. It is expected that about 4,000 youth and 750 parents will be involved in those activities, as well as teachers and members of the community.

Among the expected results in San Martin over the next three years include: the participation of 2,100 inhabitants in the Civic Day (cleaning and rehabilitation of community public spaces), training of 125 youths on entrepreneurship, training of 1,920 young on conflict prevention, youth leadership and life skills through participation in soccer leagues, training of 192 parents on supervision, leadership, motivation, conflict resolution and parenting, as well as their participation in leagues as coaches or representatives. In addition, 1,680 youth are expected to participate in a series of workshops to develop life plans focused on goals, and 81 youth are expected to participate in an intensive program of community development, which will aim to prepare the next generation of leaders in crime prevention. Also, 20 teachers will receive training on stress management, leadership, conflict resolution and emotional intelligence, among others. Finally, 10 grants will be awarded to organizations in San Martin or other experienced in the municipality to implement programs focused on family and youth.

The launch event in SolucionES San Martin was chaired by the Mayor of San Martin, Victor Manuel Rivera, the Director of the Office of Democracy and Governance at USAID / El Salvador, Barbara Ellington-Banks, the Executive Director of FEPADE and local representative of the SolutionES project, Eugenia de Castrillo, PRE-PAZ Department Director, Roberto Lopez, the representative of National Civil Police of San Martin, Inspector Miguel Angel Delgado, and representatives of Ruta Joven San Martin, Veronica Perez and Marcos Lopez. After the launch event, dozens of volunteers helped refurbish the General Services Unit of the Municipality of San Martin, which will be converted into a youth center.

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