CEPAD facilitates strengthening the capacity and self-advocacy of thirty-three organized communities, 206 Peace Commissions, and 120 pastoral groups throughout Nicaragua, using social promotion and community organization. It works less-intensively with forty-five additional communities.
CEPAD believes that it is important for community members to resolve their own problems and to decide for themselves what they need. If a community requires assistance, however,
CEPAD enters that community once invited by the local leadership.
CEPAD then establishes and trains a Community Development Committee (CDC) made up of community members. Once trained, CDC members work to help their community move forward by exploring other organizations and resources, including state authorities and municipal governments. Equal participation of men and women is encouraged. CEPAD's training process helps female and male community leaders learn to share decision-making processes and also helps them to have equal access to use and control of the benefits from development initiatives.
- Environmental Management and Development
Trains small-scale farmers in organic farming, sustainable agriculture and marketing skills. This program aims to help small farmers become more self-sufficient and to diminish environmental degradation.
- Comprehensive Family Development
Teaches women and youth about their rights and provides psycho-social development for children in rural communities. The Patio Project operates through this program, providing training, seed and small animal species to women so that they can better nourish their families and even have a small source of income.
- Political Advocacy Education
Educates community development committees, CEPAD peace commissions and other community leaders on community laws protecting the separation of church and state, food security, and citizen participation. This program teaches people how to be advocates for the application of these and other laws key to democracy and development in Nicaragua.
- Theological Education by Extension
Trains community lay leaders and pastors in subjects ranging from how to accompany survivors of a tragedy to self-esteem, the Book of Revelations to the Protestant Reformation. The program brings lay theological education to the communities, providing leaders the skills to teach others in their communities and churches about these and other important subjects.
- Educating for Life
Offers regular secondary education to young people and provides adult students the option to study independently during the week and in a classroom on Saturdays. Extension education students receive their diplomas - recognized by the Ministry of Education - in five years, and are able to better serve their communities and even move on to study for a higher degree.
- Nehemiah (delegations, partnerships and services for conferences)
Facilitates programs for visiting short-term delegations and long-term partnerships from the North to Nicaragua. It also has a conference center to host the visiting groups as well as local and regional events.
- Radio CEPAD
Broadcasts on 1120 AM and serves the Pacific and Central regions of Nicaragua with news, analysis, Christian music and family programs. It can be heard by about two-thirds of the Nicaraguan population. CEPAD Radio is also a means of increasing awareness among the people of Nicaragua in the face of their political, economic and social realities.
