The Burlington/ Puerto Cabezas Sister City Program was founded in 1984 to promote understanding between the people of Vermont and the people of the Atlantic Coast of Nicaragua. The forms that relationship has taken have been varied, and have followed the differing strengths and interests of individual participants, both Vermonters and Nicaraguans.
         Past Sister City projects have involved material aid, the creation of a tree nursery, cultural and educational exchanges, and establishment of a community video project. Because of the unique character of Vermont and of Nicaragua's Atlantic Coast, projects have related to issues of economic self-sufficiency, autonomy, indigenous rights, and community empowerment.
    The main strength of the program, however, has been and continues to be facilitation of people-to-people connections.