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.
On May 20, 2025, the Legislative Assembly of El Salvador approved a Foreign Agents Law. The law establishes a Registry of Foreign Agents (RAEX) and requires any person or entity who “carries out activities directly or indirectly in the interest of, under the control of, or through funding” from a “foreign principal” to register. Foreign principals include foreign governments and political parties, private entities, their agents, or anyone else the Salvadoran government deems to be a foreign principal. Notably, the law imposes a 30% tax on funds originating from a foreign principal.
Under the Salvadoran Constitution, the Legislative Assembly has ten days to send the approved text of the law to the president, who must approve it or veto it within eight days. After that, the Constitution allows for fifteen days for its final publication in the official newspaper (Diario Oficial). Only the published text is binding, and it may differ from the text that is currently circulating.
ICNL is currently reviewing this text to identify and shed light on concerning provisions that fall short of international legal requirements for regulating for non-profit organizations (NPOs) and safeguarding freedom of association. Come back soon for an update.
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.
This report analyzes current regulations related to digital rights in El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and elsewhere, comparing them with international standards. It exposes gaps in cybersecurity and human rights protection in the digital space and proposes concrete solutions. Download the report here or visit the accompanying interactive map.
During its 102nd regular session in Rio de Janeiro, the Inter-American Juridical Committee adopted the Declaration of Inter-American Principles on the Legal Framework for the Creation, Operation, Financing, and Dissolution of Non-profit Civil Entities. The 12 principles – which were championed by Commissioner Ramiro Orias and ICNL – bring together in a single document previously dispersed standards relevant to regulating the lifecycle of CSOs in the Americas. Read the IAJC Principles here.
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.
