Regional office · San José, Costa Rica

Puntos de Encuentro

We are a Central American, nonprofit, feminist, autonomous civil society organization based in Costa Rica with a regional reach.
Our work focuses on transforming unequal power relations in order to achieve a society
free from violence, discrimination, and exclusion—a society characterized by democracy, mutual respect, and equality at home, in the bedroom, and on the street.

Scholarship call for the digital security workshop

Scholarship call · Open until November 9

Digital security and data governance workshop for NGOs

For boards and executive directors of Latin American NGOs. Four virtual modules in Spanish from November 17. Free of charge.

Apply for a scholarship Program (PDF, Spanish)

New · 2026 research

The digital manosphere

Algorithms and narratives about masculinity in El Salvador and Honduras. Listen to the full study or download it (in Spanish).

Listen to the audio Download PDF

New · 2026 research

Study on sexuality and contraception

8 in 10 young Central Americans have doubted or found false information on social media. Discover what else they told us (report in Spanish).

Free download

Costa Rican flag waving next to a modern building — Our home in Central AmericaSan José, Costa RicaFrom here we support activists, organizations and movements in Nicaragua, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Costa Rica.In the United States: Fundación Puntos de Encuentro Inc. →

Our History

The Puntos Association began operations in 2021. It builds on a 30-year history of work in the Central American region carried out from 1991 to 2022 by the Puntos de Encuentro Foundation, based in Nicaragua.

The Puntos de Encuentro Association is a new organization based on the same founding principles and conceptual framework as the Foundation. Since its inception, the Association has embraced a process of evolution, adaptation, and innovation in new contexts.

View the Foundation’s most notable programs from 1991 to 2022.

Starting Points

Transforming Unequal Power Relations

To achieve the society we want, aspirations alone are not enough. The unequal power relations that perpetuate authoritarianism, violence, discrimination, and exclusion do not change on their own.

At home, in bed, and on the street

To advance democratic values and practices, as well as equity and mutual respect at home, in the bedroom, and on the street, changes are needed in various spheres and at various levels: in social norms and popular culture, as well as in interpersonal and family relationships, in the community and institutions, in policies, and in political culture.

Change starts with people

We focus our work primarily on people who are driving these changes: activists and leaders working in their communities, in organizations, institutions, and the media, as well as in social movements fighting for the rights of women of all ages, LGBTIQ+ people, and the Central American migrant community.

Collective action is key

While people are the driving force behind these changes, they cannot be achieved through individual effort alone. Collective and community action is needed, as well as groups and organizations that come together in social movements to demand and bring about the desired changes.

Conceptual and methodological approaches

A feminist approach to diversity with equity.
The personal is political and the political is personal.
Methodologies and content with a psychosocial approach.
The local and the global are interconnected.

The right to have rights.
A sense of belonging.
We must build bridges.

Individual and collective empowerment.
Non-violence, mental and physical health.
Social support, self-care, protection and security.

Strengthening the social fabric.
Communication for social change.
An inclusive and democratic political culture.

What We Do and How We Do It

We work with activists, women leaders, organizations and movements in person in Nicaragua, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Costa Rica, and online beyond Central America. We combine four complementary processes:

Training and capacity buildingIn-person and online processes so activists and women leaders can strengthen their skills and build agendas for change.Women’s UniversityMy school, a safe placeLearn more

Communication for social changeOur own media and networks of young communicators that turn complex issues into accessible language and build community.DKY DigitalMiradas MoradasMigrante appLearn more

Partnerships and collaborationsWe build bridges between organizations, movements and generations to drive shared agendas and collective action.Feminist movementsLGBTIQ+ organizationsLearn more

Research, learning and innovationWe study what works and why, so every project responds to the real needs of the people we work with.The digital manosphere2026 studyLearn more

Programs and resources

Resources

Media and tools we create with young people, women and migrants across Central America.

Youth digital media

Educational and entertaining audiovisual content for young people aged 18 to 35 on sexual rights, diversity, migration and gender-based violence in Central America.

Learn more

Feminist digital magazine

A Central American magazine connecting activists from women’s, feminist and LGBTIQ+ movements through articles and stories that reflect and support their struggles.

Learn more

Your safe protection guide

A free app created with migrant human rights defenders and activists. It offers guidance on rights and protection in Costa Rica, Spain, Guatemala, the United States, Mexico and Panama.

Learn more

Get it onGoogle Play Get it onApp Store

Preventing violence in schoolsMy school, a safe placeA training program for teachers and students that uses stories, narratives and drama to prevent sexual violence and suicide, and to foster dialogue and empowerment.Learn more

Voices that inspire us