Overview
Nicaragua is a lower middle-income country in Central America with a population of approximately 7 million people. The country is highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change and climate-related disasters, such as hurricanes, floods and droughts, particularly in the Dry Corridor and coastal zones.
Nicaragua has rich biodiversity and natural resources, but also faces major challenges related to poverty, governance, and human development. The EU remains committed to supporting the Nicaraguan people, particularly in areas of sustainable development and climate resilience benefiting vulnerable population directly.
Our partnership
The EU-Nicaragua partnership is aimed at supporting inclusive and sustainable growth, strengthening climate and environmental resilience, and improving living conditions for vulnerable communities.
In line with the EU’s strategy, the partnership contributes to a fair green transition and inclusive recovery, prioritising investments that improve resilience, support sustainable rural livelihoods, and protect natural ecosystems.
The EU’s intervention focuses on three core areas: addressing climate change and environmental challenges; fostering sustainable economic development, particularly in rural areas; and strengthening human development.
For the 2021–2027 period, the EU has allocated €77 million to projects in Nicaragua, focusing on climate adaptation, inclusive economic recovery, and support to civil society.
EU-Nicaragua partnership documents can be found in the 'Related documents' section below.
Our key initiatives
- Environment and climate change
Efforts focus on strengthening climate resilience, disaster preparedness and access to sustainable resources, notably by:
- Improving access to clean drinking water in vulnerable areas of urban zones of Managua.
- Strengthening disaster risk reduction and early warning systems in vulnerable areas.
- Sustainable economic growth
The EU promotes inclusive rural development and more sustainable value chains. This involves developing sustainable cocoa value chains through improved soil management and traceability (to better respond to EUDR’s requirements).
- Education, civil society and human development
The EU supports inclusive human development in Nicaragua by promoting access to quality education and fundamental rights.
- Improving equitable access to secondary education in rural areas.
- Promoting fundamental rights, gender equality and inclusion through civil society organisations in a collaborative and targeted effort