Central America Program
Regional program of the Netherlands

Source: Focus
Economic, June 2013

Growth: + 34%
Growth: + 16%
Growth: + 4%
Growth: + 18%
Total: USD 8,9 bln (Colombia: USD 15,5 bln)
Growth: + 10%
Growth: + 5%
Source: CEPAL /
Col Bank of the
Republic / ISSUU

Source: International Finance Cooperation and the Worldbank – Doing Business (Measuring Business Regulations)

Economic growth measured as the annual
% change of GDP
Source: World Bank, 2012
Market USD 350 billion,
43 million inhabitants, growing middle class
EU - AA

1,1 / 100.000
1 murder every 2 days
If The Netherlands were Honduras: 36 per day
79/ 100.000
18 murders every day

Position Ineq. Adj. HDI
Difference HDI
Source: HDI 213

 Central America: market USD 350 billion, 43 million inhabitants and a growing middle class
 Reduction of violence / crime no automatic solution for inequality in societies
 However, World Bank estimates a 10% reduction of violence and crime in Central America could boost annual economic growth per capita with 1 %.
Gini coefficient (The value fluctuates between 0 and 1 with 1 being the highest inequality)
Source: Estado de la Región, 2013

Central America Program
Why?
 Regional problems require regional solutions
 Poverty and unequality, yet growth and opportunities
 Violence, international organized crime and impunity
 Situation women, human rights defenders and journalists
 Business: high costs security
 Closing embassies Guatemala and Nicaragua

Central America Program
What?
 Regional program; 7 countries
 Emphasis on Nicaragua, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, without excluding Costa Rica, Panama and Belize
 2012 – 2015
 USD 50 million
 Human security
 Access to justice
 Human Rights

Human Rights; 7,5
Acces to justice; 17,0
Security; 20,0

16 000 000
14 000 000
12 000 000
10 000 000
8 000 000
6 000 000
4 000 000
2 000 000
0
Division 44 million Euro Central America Program
EUR
11%
1%
6%
5%
4%
17%
0%
23%
Division in percentages
33%
OAS FJ programma
SICA - violence women
Reg MR fonds ICCO
PREVENIR - youth violence
IEPADES small arms
CEPREV - youth violence
CICIG 3 - Guatemala
ICG Indicators Human Security
MAP Ondersteuningsfonds

Judicial Facilitators Program
 Model of mediation in communities
 `A barking dog can kill you´
 Implementation via Judicial branche
 Direct impact on security and impunity
 Change of work for judges
 Example of sharing experiences in region
June 2012 – December 2015
USD 18,7 mln
Access to justice

Sistema de la Integración Centroamericana
Prevention violence against women and human trafficking
 SICA Security Strategy (ESCA) / Prevention pillar
 First full regional program under ESCA
 Implemented via UNFPA and OIM
 Co-financing Finland (USD 6,3 mln)
 Example of sharing experiences in region
June 2013 – December 2015
USD 12,5 mln
Human Security

 Implementation ICCO
 2 Calls for Proposals
 1: HR defenders, journalists and CSR
 2: Vulnerable groups (women, LGBTI, children, indigenous people)
 Now in selection and contracting process (www.iccoca.org/fhdh)
October 2012 – December 2015
EUR 7,5 mln
Human Rights

Prevention youth violence
 Silent partnership Germany, also Australia
 Part of SICA Security Strategy (ESCA) / Prevention pillar
 Focus on municipalities (80): prevention strategies
 Youth employment
 Prevention violence at schools
January 2012 – December 2015
EUR 5 mln
Human Security

Prevention (youth) violence
 Work in neighbourhoods Managua
 Prevention community and prison violence
 Peace education in prison, police, schools
 Impact: reduction crime 50%
 Small arms – CASAC / SICA
 Start Honduras
November 2012 – December 2015
EUR 2 mln
Human Security

Prevention youth violence
 Small arms and ballastics
 Prevention, control and application legislation
 Assistance police and prosecutor’s office
 Regional outreach
October 2012 – October 2014
EUR 2,5 mln
Human Security

CICIG 3
 Investigation and prevention parallel security systems
 Promote accountability, lower impunity, strengthen RoL
 New phase after 2013, support via EU
October 2012 – August 2013
EUR 1,9 mln
Access to justice

Regional research and statistics
 Gathering information for reform
 Establishment system benchmarks
 Assisting in mapping exercise
October 2012 – December 2014
EUR 0,7 mln
Human security

 MAP example Dutch integrated approach: security, business, development
 Regional approach: pros and cons
 Positive impact MAP on human security, justice and human rights
 Benefits for Doing Business in region in the long run
 Modern diplomacy: external and internal (regional, integrated, laptop)
 Way ahead: Looking for partners / donors to safeguard continuity

Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
San José, Costa Rica
Bastiaan Engelhard
T: +506 2296 1490
E: sjo@minbuza.nl
www.holanda.cr