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Safe Housing –Validating and adapting the “Construya” model 

In many vulnerable urban areas, self-built housing lacks structural safety, posing risks to families. This pilot, led by Swisscontact with Hilti Foundation’s support, aims to train local builders (maestros de obra) in safe, sustainable construction practices while validating and adapting the Construya model for El Salvador. Originally funded by the Hilti Foundation in South America, the Construya model has proven effective in improving housing safety. This pilot will test its feasibility in the Central American context, refining training methodologies and establishing a scalable approach for long-term impact.
invalid
San Salvador
13.6929403
-89.2181911
El Salvador
Project duration
2025 - 2026

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The Project

The pilot aims to lay the foundation for a scalable, evidence-based model to improve progressive housing in El Salvador and the Central American region. Over an eight-month period, the project will transfer essential knowledge to ensure depth, feasibility, and practical application in safe construction practices.

The key objectives of the pilot are to identify unsafe building practices through structured assessments, adapt and implement Construya training modules tailored to local needs, and launch rapid awareness-raising campaigns to actively engage communities.

This structured and collaborative approach aims to ensure long-term sustainability and regional expansion of safe housing practices.

Project Goals

  • Identify unsafe building practices through structured assessments.
  • Adapt and implement training Construya modules tailored to local needs.
  • Launch rapid awareness-raising campaigns to engage communities.

Project Partners

  • INCAF – national TVET authority
  • National construction material providing companies

Expected Results

By the end of the pilot phase, we aim to achieve two key milestones:

  • institutional buy-in, with INCAF (the National TVET Authority), ready to integrate Construya courses and apply the transferred methodology,
  • and private sector commitment, demonstrated by a formal expression of interest from local companies.

In addition to these milestones, the pilot focuses on providing ongoing training in safe construction for local builders (maestros de obra), leveraging data and structured assessments to improve housing safety, and validating the scalability of the Construya model for broader application across Central America.

Financing Partners

This project is financed by the Hilti Foundation and Holcim. It is part of the Swisscontact Development Programme, which is co-financed by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA.