The Institute of Economic and Social Research and Consulting (ICES) is a non-governmental organization  (NGO) that provides different services in the economic and social fields and promotes programs that benefit the poorest populations.

 

ICES is an adviser, researcher and provides empowerment. It manages social, innovation and environmental programs and projects.

 

ICES is duly legalized in Nicaragua. On 3 July 1991 it establishes its constitution and bylaws. The National Assembly grants ICES legal status through Decree No. 575 of 21 April 1993, published in  ‘La Gaceta’ No. 86 in May 1993. The Ministry of the Interior extends registration certificate No. 668 dated 22 January 1996.

 

ICES is composed of inter-disciplinary teams of professionals that work on studies, research and innovation, including scientific innovation and technology, and empowerment in the following areas:  1. Micro, Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (MSMEs) 2. Citizen Participation 3. Sustainable Endogenous Rural Development  4. Participative Municipality Public Policy   5. National Public Policy  6. Endogenous, Sustainable National Development with Citizen Participation, Social Equity and Gender Equality.

 

These aspects are analyzed from an integral conception that takes into account the economic, social, gender and environmental dimensions of the issues at stake. Likewise, in order to encourage debate, these activities are linked to the University sphere.

 

The aim of ICES is to contribute to the development of citizens and societies through research and scientific, social and economic analysis and to provide empowerment in the field. This is essential for endogenous sustainable development, with citizen participation, social equity and gender equality, basis and guarantee of direct democracy.  Its overall objective therefore is to promote and support national, regional and international experiences, programs and projects in the light of the poorest populations vital interests and needs.

1. Micro, Small-Medium Sized Enterprises (MSMEs): To research economic phenomena and conditions in which rural and urban MSMEs are evolving; To identify obstacles to their development and to achieve growth through innovation, empowerment and research of investment, production and marketing.

 

2. Citizen Participation: To study contemporary urban and rural phenomena in societies, such as the Nicaraguan, to understand and interpret the changes that occur in the socio-economic stratification of cities and the countryside; To empower successfully citizen participation in local governments, to strengthen human development based on social economic development.

 

3. Endogenous and Sustainable Rural Development: To study the rural productive structure in the municipalities in order to assess their potential and contribute to the restructuring of the productive value chain that guarantees agro-industrialization based on endogenous and sustainable development; providing empowerment in the productive, organizational and marketing aspects.

 

4. Participatory Municipal Public Policy:  To strengthen the institutions of local governments through studies on innovation, gender, rural eco-tourism and the environment; To promote effective citizen participation in the design, development, management, execution and control of municipal public policy, in order to achieve human development based on social economic development.

 

5. National Public Policy: To carry out analysis on the design, implementation, execution and evaluation of public policies related to the protection of the environment, the promotion of the agro-industry, organic agriculture and rural eco-tourism in order to achieve greater impacts in the structuring of Endogenous, Sustainable National Development, with Citizen Participation, Social Equity and Gender Equality.

 

6. For the Care and Development of the Environment, promoting conservation research projects and training on biodiversity, environmental management that involves: Ecological restoration, biodiversity monitoring, Watershed management, Tourist carrying capacity, Creation of biological corridors, Proposing sites of importance for protected areas, among others.