Project Financing

IAES is principally a financing institution. As a national trust fund, FIAES has many different functions and has a variety of roles at its disposal, limited only by its legal mandates, the guidelines of the Administrative Council and higher administration and the ample environment in which it operates.

FIAES provides funding for projects on a competitive basis.  Applicants may choose from among the different strategic areas defined in the various agreements and established regulations.  FIAES closely monitors the counterpart support and information reported through rigorous trimester field visits that measure project advancement.   

FIAES and MARN (Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources), as the national environmental authority, coordinate closely through a special relation. The environmental projects financed by FIAES must reflect the priorities and strategic areas identified in the National Environmental Strategy and the Biodiversity Strategy. In addition, if a project includes activities related to natural areas, micro-watersheds, mangroves or solid waste management, the project must be approved by MARN.  FIAES has persevered to maintain its independence as a Salvadoran civil society institution while at the same assuring that projects financed respond to national priorities.

The grant process is competitive, clear and transparent, but with relatively restrictive eligibility requirements. Non-governmental and community development organizations meeting these requirements have a greater possibility of receiving funding.  Qualifications include, (1) be a legally constituted organization,  (2) possess a successful project history without negative audit reports, and (3) have the financial capacity to finance the $25.00 application fee, prepare and deliver a project profile for the initial phase of the competition.  If the profile is approved, a complete proposal is prepared.  As part of the annual project competition, all applicants are required to attend an informational workshop sponsored by FIAES where they receive the application and regulations.  Those organizations whose profiles were approved during the initial application phase, are required to attend a second workshop designed to assist them in preparing a full proposal.  FIAES will not provide financial resources for the preparation or design of project profiles or proposals.