Costa Rica and Luxembourg Launch Cooperation Program for Sustainable Development

Costa Rica and Luxembourg have joined forces to launch a new program aimed at fostering sustainable development and social equity across Latin America and the Caribbean. The initiative, named 'COOPERA' (Support for South-South and Triangular Cooperation in Costa Rica), is backed by a fund exceeding $6.5 million.

The strategic binational alliance seeks to establish Costa Rica as a primary hub for Triangular Cooperation within the region. It emphasizes a multi-actor, multi-level, and multi-sectoral approach to cooperation. "With this mechanism, Costa Rica assumes a dual role on equal terms. We no longer act exclusively as a recipient country, but we consolidate ourselves as a strategic partner that provides solutions and shares its success stories so that the entire region moves forward together," stated Carla Morales, Costa Rica's Minister of National Planning and Economic Policy.

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With this mechanism, Costa Rica assumes a dual role on equal terms. We no longer act exclusively as a recipient country, but we consolidate ourselves as a strategic partner that provides solutions and shares its success stories so that the entire region moves forward together.

The COOPERA program is structured around three key components. The first is a competitive fund designed to finance innovative triangular cooperation projects proposed by public and private entities. The second focuses on South-South cooperation, facilitating the direct exchange of knowledge, technological transfer, and best practices among continental nations. The third component involves a strategic alliance with the Caribbean to bolster technical relationships and address vulnerabilities in the region.

Charles Schmit, Chargé d'affaires at the Embassy of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, highlighted that supporting South-South and Triangular Cooperation is a strategic investment. "An investment that will multiply the impact of good practices, foster mutual learning, and generate solutions adapted to the realities of the region. COOPERA is born precisely with this ambition," he said. The program's execution in Costa Rica is jointly managed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of National Planning and Economic Policy, with support from Luxembourg's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its international cooperation agency, LuxDev.

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Luxembourg considers that supporting the strengthening of South-South and Triangular Cooperation is a strategic investment. An investment that will multiply the impact of good practices, foster mutual learning, and generate solutions adapted to the realities of the region. COOPERA is born precisely with this ambition.