Fe y Alegría El Salvador was one of the national offices most significantly impacted by the sudden suspension of U.S. foreign aid. From entrepreneur workshops to vocational training programs, and even lessons on soft skills for the workplace, the projects that U.S. foreign aid supported in El Salvador were directly targeted at vulnerable and underserved populations. Education is the key to social transformation and these programs help to provide meaningful alternatives for young people who may otherwise not be able to find employment opportunities in their local communities.
Since the freeze was first announced on January 24th, we have been working with the Fe y Alegría International and our partners in El Salvador to evaluate and mitigate this impact. In early March, our partners at Fe y Alegría El Salvador shared the following testimony about the shock that this freeze has been for their work. More importantly, they also remind us of the incredible reach of their programs and reaffirm their commitment to continue this important work. The resilience that this team has shown in the face of such sudden financial challenges is truly encouraging and we are inspired by their creativity and commitment to the right to education for all.
Fe y Alegría Remains Strong in the Fight for the Right to Education
In January 2025, the international cooperation community was shaken by the news of the pause in U.S. foreign aid funding.
This had a tremendous impact on Fe y Alegría El Salvador’s training and education efforts, particularly in areas such as entrepreneurship with purpose, irregular migration, technical training, and psychosocial support for young people in stigmatized communities. This pause left 4,311 young people, instructors, families, and collaborators without access to important benefits.
Most of the projects impacted were aimed at improving the livelihoods of participants through technical or vocational training, self-employment workshops, school reintegration programs, educational reinforcement, job intermediation and placement services.
This funding pause has directly affected Fe y Alegría’s four technical training centers, which offer free technical courses. Due to a lack of financial resources, 128 Fe y Alegría staff members had to be laid off, impacting education for young people aged 16 to 35.
To address these challenges, Fe y Alegría is focusing on institutional sustainability, ensuring innovative management to maximize its educational impact.
For 56 years, Fe y Alegría in El Salvador has worked tirelessly to bring education where the asphalt ends. It remains committed to creating opportunities for growth by offering affordable, high-quality courses. These efforts aim to generate income to sustain infrastructure and operations at the four technical centers.
Additionally, Fe y Alegría is working to develop courses tailored to people’s needs, including soft skills training, which is increasingly in demand by the private sector for workforce development. These courses can be customized for companies seeking specific training solutions. While these initiatives do not fully replace the coverage once provided by U.S. foreign aid, they add value to Fe y Alegría’s mission and educational continuity.
At a time when education urgently needs resources, these efforts help ensure sustainability and impact in the communities that need it most.
