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.
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 20, 2025, the Legislative Assembly of El Salvador approved a Foreign Agents Law (available here in Spanish), which has yet to be published in the official newspaper (Diario Oficial). ICNL reviewed the law and found that it falls short of international law standards applicable to El Salvador for regulating for non-profit organizations (NPOs). This problematic Law, however, also applies to businesses and individuals in the private, for-profit sector as well.
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.
On April 29, ICNL convened civil society organizations from Latin America to discuss growing concerns about shrinking funding streams and increasingly restrictive environments that threaten their ability to operate and protect fundamental rights.
Participants underscored the urgency of building resilient alliances, diversifying resources, and adapting to fast-evolving risks through innovation and collaboration. The meeting called for deeper engagement with donors to rethink rigid funding frameworks and explore more flexible, impact-driven support. Investing in civil society now is critical – not only to safeguard civic space, but to ensure that organizations on the front lines remain equipped, visible, and effective in defending fundamental freedoms. For more information on the meeting outcomes and our work in the region, please contact LAC@icnl.org.
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.
