Selavip

Con gran pesar despedimos a Monique van der Rest

admin — Wed, 27 May 2026 20:26:51 +0000

It is with great sadness that our Foundation wishes to offer our condolences to our colleague Marc van Overbeke on the passing of his loving and wonderful mother, Monique van der Rest, who, after a life spanning almost 90 years, a marriage of over 60 years and five children, has left this world.
SELAVIP would like to express its heartfelt thanks to Monique, who always welcomed us into her home, showered us with affection and gave us wonderful moments to share.
Rest in peace; you deserve it.

Llamado proyectos 2027

admin — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 15:02:23 +0000

As every year, and following our commitment to improve the lives of the poorest, the SELAVIP FOUNDATION would like to invite all non-profit organisations and local communities in developing countries (that are registered and activated in our projects’ management system by February 28, 2026) to send us their projects for new dwellings, drinking water systems, sewage systems, water supply and sanitation systems, toilets, sanitary latrines, repairs and regularization of land titles in territories with informal occupations for the 2027 Call.

This year we want the initiatives to be creative, focusing mainly on poor families in urban areas, that promote the participation of communities, that seek to include the public and private sectors, that incorporate new sources of funding, and that are sustainable and inclusive in order so that the proposal is an effective improvement in the dignity and quality of life of the poorest and most vulnerable.

This is why we ask you to carefully read the application guidelines, as in some cases there have been slight changes in the family's contribution.

Like in the 2026 call, the organizations should clearly state which materials they will use.

In addition to the above, SELAVIP will pay special attention to latrine projects, as it would not be financing, as in previous years, those that are not environmentally friendly.

It is relevant for the proper understanding of your initiatives that you attach as many of the following as possible: plans/blueprints, cost tables and a clear and precise description of the project.

We hope that you will be enthusiastic about this new application process as SELAVIP wishes to reaffirm its commitment to work and thus continue to transform its commitment to work and thus continue transforming, together with you and other social actors, the right to housing. the right to decent housing and to build better cities.

As last year, the process will start on April 15 and end on June 15. In addition, we recommend you to submit your projects before the mentioned deadline, as the online application system will not consider the time differences between countries at the closing.

For your reference, please download the document of the 2027 call and the application form so that you can prepare your project:

Download Postulation background

Download project’s application form

Bases de téléchargement

Téléchargez le formulaire de présentation du projet

This form is for reference, applications can only be sent online through the Selavip Project Management System.

Documental retrata la transformación urbana del barrio Chamanculo en Mozambique

admin — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 16:25:37 +0000

Testimonies from residents show how community organization drove urban improvement and access to the right to the city.

Chamanculo: Paradise - Building the Right to the City, depicts the urban transformation process in Chamanculo C, in Maputo, Mozambique. The film showcases the changes experienced by this community, historically affected by floods and lack of infrastructure, toward an environment with more accessible streets and better living conditions.

It will premiere on March 19 at 7:30 PM at Cines Girona in Barcelona, Spain. The screening will be free and open to the public, marking the start of a tour through other cities and festivals.

The project marks ten years of work by Arquitectura Sin Fronteras in the neighborhood. Through testimonies from residents themselves, with special prominence given to women, it recalls past difficulties such as floods and lack of infrastructure, and shows how community organization processes have driven territorial transformation.

It also proposes a reflection on the right to the city, understood as access to basic services, infrastructure, and decent housing. This process highlights advances in access to DUAT (land use and benefit rights), as well as the generation of regulations approved by the local government, considered a milestone in the improvement of informal neighborhoods across the African continent.

The production is supported by the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation, Spanish Cooperation, and the Barcelona City Council. Experiences like this initiative align with projects promoted by SELAVIP, which supports housing, land tenure regularization, and habitat improvement in communities across various countries.

SEE TRAILER

SELAVIP refuerza su trabajo en terreno en Ecuador

admin — Mon, 16 Mar 2026 19:16:59 +0000

Bamboo and wood houses, direct dialogue with families, tours of neighborhoods and construction sites, coordination meetings with local partners, and the signing of agreements for future projects marked SELAVIP's visit.

As part of its annual agenda of monitoring and supporting the projects it funds in Latin America, the foundation visited Ecuador, a country of more than 18 million inhabitants where poverty affects 21.4% of the population (approximately 4 million people) and nearly 2 million households lack adequate housing. Within the Latin American context, Ecuador is currently among the countries with the highest levels of poverty, with rates exceeding the global average, demonstrating how far the region still is from guaranteeing basic rights such as housing.

Since 2022, the foundation had been unable to conduct in-person activities in the country due to pandemic-related restrictions, making this visit essential to learn about the projects. This trip allowed them to re-establish direct contact with partner teams and with the families whose homes have been transformed thanks to projects funded by SELAVIP.

One of the main focuses of the tour was the work with the Hogar de Cristo Ecuador Housing Corporation, an ally for over five decades. This long-standing collaboration has promoted sustainable housing solutions, adapted to the local context and aimed at providing dignity and security to families in highly vulnerable situations.

In addition to Hogar de Cristo, Somos Ecuador Foundation and Raíz Ecuador Foundation complete this local network, expanding the reach and impact of interventions in different communities across the country.

As part of the visit, the delegation learned about the housing manufacturing processes and spoke directly with the beneficiary families, gathering experiences and assessments about the concrete impact of these solutions on their daily lives.

As part of his agenda, Said participated in the public meeting "Of Wood and Cane," organized by Hogar de Cristo Ecuador. Despite the heavy rain, attendance was excellent. The event brought together representatives from civil society, academia, and the private sector to reflect on the right to decent housing. At this meeting, the executive director confirmed "the continuation of our support for two more years for the financing of wood and cane housing, so hated by some and loved by the poorest."

During the meeting, tributes were paid to key figures in SELAVIP's history, such as Father Josse Van der Rest, S.J., the institution's founder, and his close relationship with Father Francisco García Jiménez, S.J. (Uncle Paco), both inspired by the legacy of Father Alberto Hurtado, S.J., a leading figure in social justice in Latin America and founder of the Hogar de Cristo (Home of Christ). In this context, Sergio Said was recognized for his commitment and career, highlighting his work and leadership in SELAVIP's sustained efforts in Ecuador and throughout the region.

Over the past ten years, the foundation has approved 13 housing projects in Ecuador, benefiting 824 families, with a total investment of nearly USD 1.200.000. Of these projects, 11 have already been visited and supervised on-site, while two new initiatives, selected for 2026, are in the agreement signing stage with Hogar de Cristo Ecuador and Raíz Ecuador Foundation.

This visit reaffirms SELAVIP's commitment to the close and responsible monitoring of the projects it finances, as well as to strengthening local partnerships that, through community work, contribute to generating dignified and sustainable housing solutions for the most vulnerable families.

Hogar de Cristo organiza el encuentro “De Madera y Caña” sobre vivienda digna en Ecuador

admin — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 14:37:34 +0000

Hogar de Cristo Ecuador will hold the "Of Wood and Cane" event on Wednesday, January 28, at 7:30 p.m. This event is dedicated to raising awareness about access to decent housing in communities along the Ecuadorian coast. It will take place in the Zaruma Room of the Sánchez Aguilar Theater in Samborondón and will feature Sergio Said, executive director of SELAVIP Chile.

In these communities, many families build their homes with traditional materials like wood and cane. Despite adverse conditions, they have developed strong support networks, and their resilience is reflected in every collective project.

Said will participate as an exhibitor, sharing SELAVIP's experience in financing and collaborations that facilitate access to decent housing for low-income families.

The event will bring together representatives from institutions, social organizations, and individuals interested in learning about initiatives that promote the right to housing. In addition to the discussion, an audiovisual presentation will be shown featuring testimonials from families and demonstrating the power of community support in the process of building dignified homes.

For SELAVIP, this space represents an opportunity for the exchange of experiences and the strengthening of collaborative networks, which contribute to integral human development in contexts of urban poverty.

Listado definitivo de Proyectos seleccionados para el año 2026

admin — Thu, 06 Nov 2025 21:45:33 +0000

Once again, we would like to thank all of you who participated in the 2026 call for projects.

SELAVIP received a total of 390 projects from Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, of which 81% (316 projects) were declared eligible and obtained a ranking, Based on this ranking and the funds authorised for 2026, which amount to almost USD$6,000,000, 73 projects have been selected that will improve the quality of life for more than 14,000 families.

We invite the NGOs whose projects were selected to work together with the families that will benefit and, if possible, to join the public and private sectors, as this network makes everything easier when there is a will on all sides to get families out of these environments of poverty and misery.

We would also like to report, in accordance with our transparency policy, that the remaining 19% (74 projects in total) were declared inadmissible because they did not include the information needed to properly evaluate the project, did not calculate costs correctly, did not read the terms and conditions of the call for proposals, did not meet the objectives defined by SELAVIP, used asbestos in the construction process, which is prohibited, and due to delays in the execution of projects from previous years, some of which have not yet been completed.

We would have liked to select many more. However, our resources are limited. Every year, our Foundation increases its funds so that we can select more projects and reach families in need and vulnerable situations, since with most of the NGOs with which SELAVIP has worked in the past, as well as with the new ones we add each year, we have built friendships, trust, and a commitment to reaching the places of greatest need, with transparency in our joint work on behalf of the poorest of the poor.

Fraternal greetings and many thanks to all those who work for a more equal world with greater social justice.

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE LIST

Conmemoración de los 5 años de la partida de Josse

admin — Thu, 24 Jul 2025 14:47:52 +0000

Josse van der Rest SJ, founder of SELAVIP, passed away on 24 July 2020 in the Jesuit community of Santiago de Chile and when the world had already decreed a general confinement due to the COVID 19 pandemic.

From a personal point of view, Josse was known as the Father of the simple and coarse words, as he used to use the slang taught to him by street children in Chile. However, Josse was much more than that.

He was a curious man - intellectually speaking -, sensitive and very cross-cutting in his relationships, as he could relate to royalty as well as to the homeless man in the street.

Josse left no one indifferent and always had a word for the people he met.

Josse, after arriving in Chile in 1958, lived in three slums in Santiago before becoming involved in the Hogar de Cristo Fundación Vivienda Factory. From there, in his tireless struggle on behalf of the poorest, he became known as the Father of the Mediaguas, since this type of housing was created by him based on the needs of families to have a decent roof over their heads.

Josse, together with several people including Father Pichi sj, decided to create SELAVIP in 1971 and from there he started to support housing projects in South America, then came to Asia, with the help of Father Jorge Anzorena sj, and finally, it was at the end of the 90's when SELAVIP decided to go to Africa.

We would like to thank Josse for his contribution to improving the lives of the poorest families, as well as his fight against urban speculation.

Today, SELAVIP continues to support housing, water systems, sanitation, toilets and land regularisation, with the main focus being that people live in a clean and dignified environment.

Evento en conmemoración del padre Padre Josse van der Rest, sj

admin — Thu, 24 Jul 2025 14:03:16 +0000

FUNDASAL invites you to pay tribute to the lives and legacy of two people whose integrity, vision, and dedication have profoundly influenced our journey: Edín Martínez, former director of our institution, and Father Josse van der Rest, founder of SELAVIP.

Father Josse's faith became a home, a community, and hope.

Thursday, July 24
8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
FUNDASAL Auditorium

A space to honor their memories, embrace their legacy, and renew our commitment.

Gracias por participar en nuestra convocatoria de proyectos 2026

admin — Mon, 16 Jun 2025 21:16:19 +0000

The 2026 call for proposals has closed and we would like to thank all the organizations that have participated in it. We have received a total of almost 400 projects from the different continents where we are currently working with different partners in improving the living conditions of the poorest and most vulnerable who do not have a decent home.

The list of selected projects will be published in NOVEMBER on our web page (www.selavip.org). We will also contact the winning NGOs by e-mail. We thank you in advance for your patience for the time you will have to wait.

Llamado para Proyectos 2026

admin — Mon, 07 Apr 2025 16:23:18 +0000

To all Organizations:

As every year, and following our commitment to improve the lives of the poorest, the SELAVIP FOUNDATION would like to invite all non-profit organisations and local communities in developing countries (that are registered and activated in our projects’ management system until February 28, 2025) to send us their projects for new dwellings, drinking water systems, sewage systems, water supply and sanitation systems, toilets, sanitary latrines, repairs and regularisation of land titles in territories with informal occupations for the 2026 Call.

This is why we ask you to carefully read the application guidelines, as the amount per family for the projects has been increased for housing projects where three different amounts of financial support will be given depending on the materiality to be used, which also means that more financial support can be given for these projects, the organizations should clearly state which materials they will use.