Freundeskreis León-Hamburg e.V.

Founded in 1996, Freundeskreis León-Hamburg e.V. is a non-profit association based in Hamburg, Germany working on water & sanitation, children & youth, environment & climate.

The Freundeskreis León-Hamburg e.V. is a charitable association based in Hamburg, Germany, that supports development projects in the Nicaraguan partner city of León. Funded mainly through the Restcent campaign, in which employees of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg and other Hamburg institutions donate the cent amounts of their salaries, the association finances the expansion of drinking water supply and wastewater disposal in León, along with projects for street children such as a daily midday meal, educational and psychological support. Residents receive materials to build household sewer connections and carry out the work in small teams, with skilled Nicaraguan specialists completing the more technical tasks. Projects are selected on the recommendation of a selection committee in León, reviewed by experts before funds are released, and audited after completion. The association, founded and registered in 1996, is run by volunteers, most of whom work for the City of Hamburg. It maintains a representative office in León, coordinates with the Hamburg Senate Chancellery's development policy unit, and reports annually on its work.