This paper will present results of a research project on civil society held in three Central American states, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Honduras, in July and August, 2009, as part of the Irish Aid funded and DCU led Active Citizenship in Central America project. The paper is based on a wide range of events and interviews held in these three countries, with five distinct populations, many of them involved in the Active Citizenship Project: students of NGO Management and Municipal Leadership Diplomas funded by the project; university staff from the three partner and associate universities giving these courses; local NGO directors; local community groups; government officials. The main question framing these activities was: what is the current relation between the state and civil society in the three project countries in the context of the move to the left in Latin America? Results are examined in terms of future trends for civil society/state relations in these countries and their implications for sustainable development.