Production and commercialisation of "do-it-yourself" construction products in Nicaragua Given the extreme housing deficit in Central America and the poor quality of the existing houses, both partners decided to focus on providing low-income households, many of which currently make their own inexpensive but low quality building bricks, with better and affordable construction materials.The partners have developed a business plan for the production and commercialisation of "do-it-yourself" construction products.The PSI pilot project will focus on the market in Nicaragua and Costa Rica.The partners will establish a factory and facility in Ciudad Sandino, Managua with a capacity to produce and commercialise 60,000 m2 in self-installation kits of 5 types: houses, house improvement and house extension.The applicant, Estamperia Industrial Costarricense S.A. (EIC), is dedicated to the import, manufacturing, marketing and distribution of textiles for consumers and businesses. A key B2B segment has always been the construction industry, where EIC has a portfolio of 200 customers. In the past 8 years the owners of EIC have started some construction projects by themselves in Costa Rica and Nicaragua.The mission of the local partner Prefabricados de Nicaragua S.A. is to provide the construction industry in Nicaragua with value-adding construction materials. The company produces column/panel systems used for perimeter walls, bricks and blocks.A joint venture will be established in which the applicant will participate for 35% and the local partner for 65%.The product that the joint venture will bring into the market is new and the project contributes to solving the problem of the housing deficiency in Nicaragua. The effect on suppliers is substantial, it is estimated that the project will create 500 indirect jobs.Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)One of the results is the development of a CSR policy for the joint venture. This policy will reflect the mission of the joint venture to commercially support solving the problem of the housing deficit in Central America.The joint venture aims to cooperate with NGOs which are working on the housing problem.The joint venture will offer labour conditions which are slightly above the legal requirements. All staff members will get training in factory safety. Staff members will be obliged to wear protective clothing and other safety equipment.Impact•	Employment and working conditionsThe employees will be offered all benefits required by law and a higher salary than the minimum salary. The employees will be well trained. Good and safe working conditions will be ensured. Employees can purchase a self-installation kit at cost price. Finally the joint venture will finance a soccer team for the employees.•	Innovation / Transfer of knowledgeThe project is in many ways innovative:- the product and market, affordable construction materials for low-income households.- new business opportunity for suppliers of windows and roofs.- new production method for obtaining and building a house.- logistic: a new way of building a house by offering a "do-it-yourself" kit will be promoted.•	Chain effectsThe impact on local suppliers is positive. Local suppliers of windows and doors, toilets, kitchens will be included in the new business. Their turnover will increase. Also, suppliers of raw material like sand and cement, and transporters benefit from the project. Furthermore, retail stores may employ additional sales staff. Finally local masons can benefit, as they will be contracted by customers to construct the houses.Low income household can obtain a good quality house for less money. The houses will be situated in areas where they also will have access to water and electricity, and other services like schools, health posts, etc.•	Impact on the sectorThe joint venture will look for cooperation with NGOs which are also active in solving the problem of the housing deficit and poor housing quality.•	EnvironmentAt the moment many people build their own house with bad materials like plastics and corrugated plates. Due to the bad quality, the materials need replacement on a regular basis. This causes much waste.The project will reduce the waste, as they will offer good quality houses which last for many years.•	Position of womenThe joint venture will employ 28 women of which 20 in medium-/high-level. These women will be involved in marketing and sales, and administration. Nicaragua knows many female engineers and architects working in the construction industry. To offer a commercial solution to the housing deficiency and quality problem in Central America by establishing a production facility for self-installation housing kits and producing 2,750 units at the end of the project, which will be sold in Nicaragua a