2024 Award "Best Practice in Citizen Participation"

The collaborative management model of Cuscatlán Park is a remarkable example of synergy between a public entity such as the Mayor's Office of San Salvador Centro and a private non-profit organisation such as the Cuscatlán Park Foundation (FUNDAPARC) involving neighbourhood associations in the area. This approach stems from the Specific Collaboration Agreement signed on 30 April 2021, which seeks to lay the foundations for the sustainability of an important public space in the city.

This agreement highlights the creation of the Joint Working Committee (JWC), where both the municipality and FUNDAPARC have equal representation and where decisions are made by consensus, thus promoting an environment of collaboration and equal participation. In addition, FUNDAPARC is designated as responsible for collecting the funds generated by the park services, ensuring that these resources are used exclusively for its conservation, with prior authorisation from the CTC.

This model has proved its effectiveness through various improvement indicators. For example, annual visitor numbers to the park have increased by a remarkable 680% to over 780,000, thanks to the implementation of this new management approach. In addition, visitor diversity has increased significantly, with a higher percentage of women and children, reflecting a more inclusive and family-friendly environment.

Visitors' perception of safety has increased significantly, from 20% to 94%, demonstrating the effectiveness of the measures implemented in this respect. In addition, the number of activities planned in the park has increased exponentially, offering a wider range of entertainment and leisure activities to the community.

In short, the Cuscatlán park has succeeded in positioning itself as a pleasant, clean, safe and family-friendly space, thanks to the collaboration between the town council and FUNDAPARC. This collaborative management model has not only promoted the development and sustainability of the park, but has also strengthened the community's sense of ownership and enjoyment of this important public space, which has had a significant impact on their physical and mental health. What's more, this synergy is proving to be an important experiment that can be replicated in other public spaces in the city.