MISSION

We motivate and strengthen the organization, formation and mobilization
of the CRIPDES communities, energizing and developing the involvement of
women, men and young people in grassroots organizing, local government
and other decision-making structures in a way that contributes to
democratic social, political, economic and cultural transformation in El
Salvador.

VISION

To be a solid, consensus-building grassroots organization capable of
effectively proposing and influencing public policy; an organization
that, in coalition with other national and international actors,
contributes to the improvement of conditions in rural communities in
harmony with the environment by integrating the communities in processes
of social organization, the construction of local power and community
participation in the definition or modification of official decision-making.

STRATEGY

CRIPDES? organizing strategy is grounded in the active participation of
the member communities. The communities and community groups are the
principal actors in their own development. CRIPDES brings these
communities together and establishes alliances with the broader popular
movement and key actors in the social, economic and political spheres.
Since its founding, CRIPDES has played a prominent role in the national
struggle to attack the structural causes of injustice and
underdevelopment. CRIPDES? membership organizes public education
campaigns and direct street actions to make its voice heard.

In order to sustain the organization, CRIPDES engages in national and
international outreach for resources, counting on individual and
institutional donations, as well as funds to execute specific projects.

DEFINITION OF DEVELOPMENT

CRIPDES holds a view of development that cannot simply be reduced to
economic growth:

For the communities of CRIPDES, development occurs through the
collective efforts of people who strive for improvement in social,
cultural and economic spheres. Development also must be defined within
structural, institutional and community contexts which CRIPDES members
create or influence and which have shaped the current social conditions
the communities face. Development, then, is a holistic, integrated,
dynamic and progressive process for the communities of CRIPDES.

GRASSROOTS DEMOCRACY IN ACTION

Democratization is an indispensable means to combat social exclusion and
poverty. For CRIPDES communities, Democracy is based in the popular
participation in decision-making at the grassroots level. From this
base, CRIPDES creates a collective view that represents its membership.
The membership has empowered CRIPDES? leadership to work together with
a diverse set of national and international actors that share the
communities? principles and values. With these partners, CRIPDES
participates in the creation of alliances and networks to propose
social, political and economic alternatives.

Regarding care for the environment, our priority is to focus on the
participation of the affected communities in deciding the use of local
resources based on an integrated vision of local development and not
only on economic growth.