ICNL works with partners across Latin America and the Caribbean to promote a legal environment that strengthens civil society, advances freedom of association, fosters philanthropy, and enables public participation.
Our work has helped expand civic space in the region and empowered civil society leaders to navigate complex legal environments.
Be sure to browse our Focus Areas, Key Resources, and Country Overviews.
The Inter-American Juridical Committee has published an updated version of its Declaration of Inter-American Principles on the Legal Framework for the Creation, Operation, Financing, and Dissolution of Non-profit Civil Entities, which were originally adopted in March 2023. The document includes 12 key human rights principles that should be taken into account when regulating CSOs in the Americas. Read the document here.
In June 2025, El Salvador enacted the Foreign Agents Law, Decree 308 (LAEX), becoming the latest in a growing number of countries that have adopted legislation creating so-called “foreign influence registries.” ICNL has conducted an analysis of the new law and its implementing regulations – read a summary here.
ICNL has been invited to attend the III Third Sector Law Summit in São Paulo, Brazil, on June 12, 2025. Senior legal advisor Claudia Guadamuz will speak on a panel titled “Global Challenge: How Current American Policy Impacts Brazil’s Third Sector”. For more information about the event, please see here.
Venezuela has implemented new risk management rules for banking institutions which could negatively impact freedom of association rights for nonprofits in the country. An ICNL analysis has also found that the rules include measures which contravene Financial Action Task Force standards for the prevention of terrorism financing. Read more here.
On May 27, 2025, the Oversight Board overturned Meta’s decision to leave up content targeting a human rights defender from Peru, citing ICNL’s public comment in their decision. The post portrayed the defender with her face covered in blood and insinuated financial wrongdoing by NGOs. Read more here.
In collaboration with local experts, ICNL has developed a series of guides and practical checklists that help nonprofit organizations meet their obligations under national laws and regulations. Materials are available for five countries: Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and Paraguay.
We provide expert legal analysis rooted in international standards, helping partners craft sound arguments to improve national and regional frameworks for civil society.
We equip our partners with the technically sound foundations they need to engage in policy discussions on complex issues.
We help partners and donors understand and navigate increasingly complex legal environments across the region.
Our evidence-based research, global experience and regional networks have helped partners make informed decisions, diversify their funding, and improve their operational strategies for over three decades.
We foster multi-sector dialogue with the aim of building diverse, long-term movements that protect civic space.
By creating opportunities for civil society, governments, and others to engage in respectful, solutions-driven conversations, we help establish the common ground necessary to sustain civic space.
This landmark document proposes 12 key human rights principles that should be taken into account when regulating the creation, operation, financing, and dissolution of CSOs in the Americas.
Digital Legal Library: ICNL’s Spanish-language resources include the texts of laws and regulations from 25 Latin American and Caribbean countries, along with analyses of their provisions.
These Spanish-language guides were designed to help non-profit organizations understand and meet various legal obligations under current regulatory frameworks. Guides and/or compliance checklists are available for five countries:
• Costa Rica (guide & checklist)
• Guatemala (guide & checklist)
• Honduras (checklist)
• El Salvador (checklist)
• Paraguay (checklist)
Click below to see country-specific resources.
