Hurricane Mitch, which tore through Honduras in 1998, highlighted both the country’s social and economic vulnerability and Honduran civil society’s weak organization. However, while emergency assistance programs were being carried out, a slogan arose from the grassroots: "transform tragedy into opportunity!" The population wanted to be more organized, have more solidarity and be less vulnerable.

To help the population achieve these goals, Development and Peace established a far-reaching program to create and consolidate local organizations. Hundreds of groups benefited from this program: women’s associations, development committees, water management groups, farmers and others. It was the beginning of unprecedented participation by the population, as people learned that by dealing with local authorities and setting up development projects, they could improve their living conditions.