CEPAD works with 40-50 communities over the course of 5 years. Following the 5th year, there is an entry/exit year where communities CEPAD has been working in prepare for CEPAD’s departure and communities where CEPAD will be working prepare for CEPAD’s programs. One thing that makes this community-choosing process unique is that CEPAD only works with a community where we are invited by the community members. Other criteria for choosing communities include:

• Existing ecological conditions (water, soil, rain supply) that can withstand agricultural production and food and environment security.
• A poverty level indicating high need.
• The 7 communities chosen in each department for a 5-year cycle should be within 20km of each other.
• Little to no existing presence of other nonprofit organizations or the government.
• Some (even if minimal) road access to reach the community.

Below are the communities CEPAD is working with for the 2015-2019 cycle organized by department.