Community Development Host Organizations (the following project list is updated regularly):

Alianza Garabito. A community alliance formed by members of Garabito de Aguas Zarcas, a village in the Zona Norte region of Costa Rica whose main objective is to establish a sustainable income for the community, while protecting the local environment, in particular, the water resources of the area. The long-term goal of the community is to become an example of a successful, sustainable-developed community, in which all the families enjoy healthy lifestyles and employment opportunities.

APROSAMA, San Marcos. The Association of Agro-forestry Producers and Environmental Management, located in San Marcos de Cutris, was legally constituted as a non-profit association in 1992 with the mission to improve people’s quality of life in the Northern Region of Costa Rica. In order to achieve that, APROSAMA has created and implemented projects in three strategic areas: sustainable production; environmental management and education; and agro-ecotourism maintaining the local culture.

APECH, San Jerónimo. El Chirripó Producers Association (APECH), located in the slopes of Chirripó National Park, unites local producers to provide agricultural and social development alternatives for the surrounding community. Their main activity and source of income is the production of citrus fruits. APECH is helping to design and implement an agro-ecological program to enhance the Association's organic agriculture, environmental education, and reforestation programs.

ASOMOBI, Biolley. The Organized Women’s Association of Biolley (ASOMOBI) was established in 1996 by a group of 15 women from Biolley,a community located in the slopes of La Amistad Biosphere Reserve. ASOMOBI was created to generate productive options that would allow its members to make their living in an environmentally and culturally sustainable manner, and through these opportunities, the organization also served as an alternative for the locals who would otherwise migrate due the lack of jobs in the area. Members of the Association are currently involved in the coffee process and production, aswell overing ecotourism services.

ASOPROLA, Altamira. The Association of Producers, La Amistad (ASOPROLA) develops projects that allow the region’s inhabitants to make their living in an environmentally and culturally sustainable manner. They develop environmental education programs to promote natural resource conservation in the area, as well as sustainable community development.

El Yüe, Organic Farmers. The Association of Producer Families El Yüe was established by 12 women from three small communities in the Province of Limon, who were concerned about the unsustainable use of the natural resources in this region. Their goals include increasing the number of families working as organic farmers in the region, the development of alternatives to improve their quality of life through sustainable and environmentally friendly means, and improving the health of their communities by producing pesticide-free products.

Quizarrá Forest Conservation Committee, (Cocoforest). Located in the village of Quizarrá, in Pérez Zeledón County, the organization’s mission is to protect areas surrounding Los Cusingos Sanctuary for Neotropical Birds, and the Alexander Skutch Biological Corridor. This will help to counter the loss of forests due to logging and farming, enhance the remaining areas of evergreen tropical rain forest, promote environmental education, and develop environmentally sustainable employment opportunities in the community.

Santa Elena de Pital. The Asociación de Mujeres Amigas (The Association of Women Friends) was founded in June 1995 by a group of women in the community of Santa Elena de Pital who were looking to improve their educational opportunities and provide a more just income for their families as well as encourage the development of their community through various projects. Their mission is “Constant improvement, protection of the remaining patch of forest, and the conservation of flora and fauna”, and their vision is to achieve an improved standard of living for themselves and their families. 

Please note: Projects are available on specific dates only. Hence, depending on each participant’s assigned departure date, only certain projects will be available. Participants are asked to please be flexible in their project preferences; these are ALL great projects in amazing locations with significant social/developmental and educational value.