Strengthening and Challenges Facing Nonprofit Organizations in Vulnerable Urban Contexts A Participatory Assessment Through Service- Learning

Objective: To analyze the processes of strengthening social organizations in vulnerable contexts, based on a participatory assessment facilitated by the service-learning model. Methodology: An exploratory-descriptive qualitative approach was used, employing participatory techniques, narrative analysis, and the construction of semantic networks. Data was collected through interviews, group dynamics, and self-assessment exercises with administrative teams from various non-profit organizations (ESALS), segmenting the analysis into dimensions of digital marketing, financial sustainability, organizational processes, and identity. Key Findings: The findings reveal strategic fragmentation in digital and financial management, despite the existence of significant symbolic and identity-based capital. Nonprofits recognize the importance of the digital environment and new sources of funding, but face barriers related to knowledge, resources, and coordination. Conclusions: The study establishes an impact trajectory that transforms academic diagnosis into permanent institutional capacity. It concludes that the service-learning methodology fosters territorial social responsibility, where the university not only provides a service but also co-leads the professionalization of nonprofits. This strategic alliance strengthens the social fabric and endows organizations with resilience based on symbolic sovereignty, ensuring that the project’s impact endures over time.