of the progress of a
civilization than that of
progress in cooperation”
53 Organizational Structure
55 Financial Statements
CRUSA FOUNDATION Annual Report 2008
Redefining CRUSA...
An opportunity to make a greater
impact on improving the quality of
life of Costa Ricans.
CRUSA FOUNDATION Annual Report 2008
As a result of this process, in 2008 the CRUSA
Foundation began to implement a new approach
to work, taking advantage of the knowledge and
experience accumulated during its many years of
operation in order to actively and systematically
foster the building of partnerships, alliances and
joint efforts with different institutions in support
of initiatives that would have a major impact on
Costa Rican society. In creating this broad range of opportunities for
its partners, CRUSA realized that Amigos also
had the potential to assist with other tasks, such
Portfolio of Opportunities and Services as coordinating the provision of technical support
in the design and implementation of proposals,
This new vision translated into the creation of systematically and periodically identifying fund-
a portfolio of opportunities and services that ing opportunities for other donors and participat-
CRUSA offers to its partners - both to those insti- ing in a joint search for funds. This new vision
tutions seeking support in the design, implemen- of our office in the United States is described in
tation and funding of their initiatives, to those the section on “The new role of Amigos of Costa
looking for good opportunities to invest their Rica” on page 10 of this Report.
resources in projects with a high social and eco-
nomic impact in Costa Rica. Full details of these
opportunities and services are described in the sec- Certification: CRUSA obtains a high score
tion: “Portfolio of Opportunities and Services” of
this Report. Last October the Société Générale de Surveillance
(SGS) certified, for the third consecutive time,
that the CRUSA Foundation’s operational and
The new role of Amigos of Costa Rica administrative processes comply with the highest
international standards in terms of the effective
A fundamental element for the success of this administration of its resources and operations.
new strategy has been the redefinition of the
role of Amigos of Costa Rica, CRUSA´s strate- On this occasion, CRUSA’s processes were as-
gic platform based in Washington D.C.. sessed according to 103 parameters defined as
best operating practices for non-governmental
organizations (NGOs).
Details of the results of this strategy, including • Peace with Nature in ACOSA. During
a list of the projects supported, by Area, may be 2008, in the context of the President of
found in the section “Transforming good ideas Costa Rica’s “Peace with Nature” ini-
into projects…” which begins on page 12 of this tiative, the President of CRUSA, Luis
Report. Diego Escalante, became actively in-
volved in the articulation and coordi-
In the sections describing our efforts in each themat- nation of the different institutions and
ic area we have highlighted certain projects that we actors that operate in ACOSA, making
consider to be strategically important, either because numerous visits to the area to coordi-
of their great impact on society or because they have nate actions with the different groups
allowed us to explore new modalities of cooperation of decision-makers.
with third parties or institutions:
CRUSA FOUNDATION Annual Report 2008
Science & Technology
• Joint Cooperation Agreement with Local and international economic contexts have
the Higher Council for Scientific Re- made it necessary to rethink our investment poli-
search of Spain-CSIC. A partnership cies under the commitment to maintain and even
between CRUSA and this Spanish increase CRUSA’s impact in Costa Rican society.
institution to carry out joint research
projects. In this regard, the Treasurer’s Report an integral part
of this document, offers specific details on the steps
taken by the Foundation in relation to its invest-
ments and financial management.
Sincerely,
Hermann L. Faith
Executive Director
CRUSA FOUNDATION Annual Report 2008
Strengthening its image
CRUSA FOUNDATION Annual Report 2008
As a result of this effort, CRUSA’s information
and public relations processes were systematized
and several communication tools were developed
or improved, including:
• Brand book
• Key monthsages defined
• Web site redesigned
• Contingency and crisis management
plan prepared
• Institutional video produced
• Databases redesigned and updated
• External signs designed
• Internal and external newsletters produ-
ced
• Instruction manual for beneficiaries on
The Communications Committee is made up of how to publicize projects
the following members: • PR strategy directed at national and re-
gional media organizations
• Eduardo Ulibarri, General Coordinator • Monthly program for the dissemination
• Marjorie Sibaja of activities
• Fernando Leñero
• Omar Jiménez During 2007, media coverage of CRUSA’s activi-
• Luis Diego Escalante ties was very significant compared with previous
• Hermann Faith years, and the reports mainly revolved around
• Katty Fernández the Foundation’s Tenth Anniversary and related
activities. During 2008, media coverage increased
The Strategy is based on two essential lines of ac- by 100%, going from 18 publications in 2007 to a
tion: a proactive approach, designed to reinforce total of 37 in that year.
a set of positive perceptions or values in relation
to the CRUSA Foundation, and a reactive appro- The greatest area of growth in media coverage was
ach, to respond to any public opinion issues that in television, with a 500% increase with respect to
might arise. 2007, going from 2 televised reports to 12.
CRUSA FOUNDATION Annual Report 2008
SGS Certification
NGO Benchmarking
CRUSA FOUNDATION Annual Report 2008
New approach to cooperation
11
CRUSA FOUNDATION Annual Report 2008
5. Technical support for project imple-
mentation. Although the main respon-
sibility for the implementation of joint
projects rests with the executive partners
–since these organizations have experti-
se in the various fields of action of the
projects- CRUSA will provide technical
support in the aspects of project design,
formulation and presentation.
2. Facilitation of matching funds. For pro- 6. Joint fundraising efforts. In specific ca-
jects implemented jointly, CRUSA may ses, CRUSA will facilitate the time and
provide a financial contribution (do- efforts of its staff in its offices in Was-
nation) to match the resources that are hington D.C. and/or in Costa Rica for
requested from other institutions. The joint fundraising activities. This effort
amount and conditions of these matching will include a range of actions – from
funds will vary according to the specifi- publicizing the initiatives on Amigos of
cations. In most cases, CRUSA’s matching Costa Rica’s web site (http://www.ami-
contribution will be granted as a “challen- gosofcr.org/projects.htm), to organizing
ge fund” - in other words it will only be presentations and joint meetings with
disbursed if the funds requested from the potential donors/ investors.
other institution(s) are obtained.
7. Transfer and Administration of third
3. Up to date information on funding party funds. When a joint project or ini-
opportunities. Our staff in Washington tiative is approved by a donor or investor,
D.C. and in Costa Rica consult various all the financial resources are initially
databases, web sites and online resour- transferred to CRUSA, which subse-
ces on a daily basis, with the aim of quently transfers the funds to an executi-
identifying and providing our executive ve partner. In most cases, CRUSA trans-
partners with information on potential fers the full amount, without making any
funding opportunities in Costa Rica and deductions. However, depending on the
the United States. complexity, scale or other specific featu-
res of a project, the Foundation will re-
4. Capacity to obtain tax deductible re- tain a percentage, which is agreed upon
sources in Costa Rica and in the Uni- in advance with the executive partner.
ted States. Through a public interest
declaration, or through Amigos of Costa In addition to transferring resources, CRUSA
Rica (category 501) –the Foundation’s ad�������������������������������������������
ministers project funds, assuming full res-
strategic arm in the USA– CRUSA may ponsibility for the financial control of the pro-
receive contributions from businesses ject (payments, disbursements, reports, audits,
and corporations in both countries, whi- bank accounts, payment of professional fees,
ch are tax-deductible. and supervision of budget execution). In order
12
CRUSA FOUNDATION Annual Report 2008
to cover the cost of these activities, and depen- capacity and financial resources so that institutions
ding on the specific requirements of each pro- interested in financing projects in Costa Rica will
ject, the Foundation charges a percentage that have the necessary facilities and assurances to
is jointly agreed in advance by CRUSA and the obtain a high return (in terms of impact) on their
executive partner. social investment.
13
CRUSA FOUNDATION Annual Report 2008
Depending on the level of monitoring required
by the financial partner, the Foundation will
charge to the project budget a previously agreed
percentage of the amount contributed by the fi-
nancial partner.
5. Access to prestigious executive ins-
titutions with a proven track record.
After more than a decade of work, the
CRUSA Foundation has developed an
extensive network of relations with the
In addition to transferring resources, CRUSA most prestigious governmental and non-
administers project funds, assuming full respon- governmental institutions in its different
sibility for the financial control of the project fields of action.
(payments, disbursements, reports, audits, bank
accounts, payment of professional fees and super- CRUSA has worked directly with executive or-
vision of budget execution). In order to cover the ganizations on more than 450 projects. With its
cost of these activities, and depending on the par- detailed knowledge of the background and ex-
ticular requirements of each project, the Founda- perience of these institutions, the CRUSA Foun-
tion charges a percentage that is jointly agreed in dation is in a position to recommend the orga-
advance by CRUSA and the executive partner. nizations that are best qualified to implement a
project in an area of particular interest to the fi-
4. Technical monitoring of projects. In nancial partner.
addition to administering project funds,
the CRUSA Foundation has obtained
international certification that demons- How to become a financial partner
trates its capacity to provide appropriate of crusa?
technical monitoring or follow-up of the
projects it manages. If your organization is interested in financing/do-
nating funds for the implementation of a project
CRUSA offers technical Project monitoring servi- in Costa Rica, please contact the CRUSA Progra-
ces to financial partners wishing to delegate to the ms Office by calling: 506-2283-0665, or sending
Foundation the responsibility of safeguarding the an e-mail to: proyectos@crusa.cr.
fulfillment of the approved project goals. CRUSA
is able to provide different levels of monitoring: If your institution’s areas of interest coincide with
from preparing a consolidated Final Report on the current priorities of our strategic areas of ac-
a project, to issuing monthly progress reports, tion, CRUSA will be pleased to assist you in en-
carrying out field visits, inspections and audits suring that your resources generate the greatest
and providing technical accompaniment, among possible impact on Costa Rica’s economic and so-
other services. cial development.
14
CRUSA FOUNDATION Annual Report 2008
The new role of “Amigos of Costa Rica”
15
CRUSA FOUNDATION Annual Report 2008
Transforming good ideas into projects …
The leading donors in CRUSA’s four
thematic areas of interest, include:
Environment
• Linden Trust for Conservation
• Hewlett-Packard
• Wal*Mart
• British Embassy
• Debt for Nature Swap
Education
• Banco de Costa Rica
Based on its portfolio of opportunities and
• Radiográfica Costarricense (RACSA)
services, in 2008 CRUSA supported a total of 53
• The Intel Foundation
initiatives in its four areas of interest. This support
• Several suppliers of the PriceSmart Clubs
took the form of:
Science & Technology
• Total funding for the initiative.
• Intel Foundation
• Or, support was limited to administe- The following Table is a summary of the initiatives
ring third party funds for the imple- supported by CRUSA in 2008 and the amounts
mentation of one or several projects. invested:
16
CRUSA FOUNDATION Annual Report 2008
Administration of Third Party Funds
Although 2008 was a year of transition and re- activities, the CRUSA Foundation managed to
definition of the organization’s new vision and attract nearly USD $350,000.00 from different
Foundations, companies and private individuals,
both national and international, to be administe-
red under very different conditions, in different
thematic areas and for very different purposes.
This put CRUSA’s administrative capacity and
flexibility to the test –with outstanding results.
This sum represented nearly 17% of the total
funds contributed in support of the Foundation’s
projects and programs.
17
CRUSA FOUNDATION Annual Report 2008
Environment
19
CRUSA FOUNDATION Annual Report 2008
Debt for
Nature Swap
The Forest Conservation Agreement (FCA) bet- With respect to the administration of funds,
ween the Government of Costa Rica, the Central the Agreement establishes that these will be ad-
Bank of Costa Rica, The Nature Conservancy ministered through a Trust, comprising three
(TNC) and Conservation International (CI) lays accounts. The first of these is the Debt Service
the foundations for reinvesting part of the debt Account, into which the Central Bank will de-
swap funds in the country’s natural areas. It co- posit the agreed payments, which will then be
vers aspects related to the mechanisms for utili- transferred to one of the other two accounts.
zing the funds, as well as participation, supervi- The second account is the Patrimonial Fund Ac-
sion and monitoring mechanisms. count whose purpose is to capitalize the money
deposited therein, with a view to giving financial
sustainability to the initiative. Finally, the Dona-
tions Account will be used to deposit funds for
the implementation of projects by organizations
that contribute to the protection of the forest in
six geographic areas of the country: the Osa Pe-
ninsula, La Amistad, Tortuguero, Maquenque,
Rincón de la Vieja and Nicoya.
20
CRUSA FOUNDATION Annual Report 2008
CRUSA as administrator of the funds
21
CRUSA FOUNDATION Annual Report 2008
WEB CONTENT
www.crusa.cr/10
ACCESS MULTIMEDIA / ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
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CRUSA FOUNDATION Annual Report 2008
WEB CONTENT
www.crusa.cr/11
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24
CRUSA FOUNDATION Annual Report 2008
2. Training phase: the residents of the
selected communities were invited to
participate in the creation and conso-
lidation of Community Credit Unions
(ECC), as a way to generate income for
their partners. During this phase, the
project will work to activate the eco-
nomies of the selected communities Having obtained a loan from the communal credit company in
Bahía Ballena, Ronald Guzmán promotes ecotourism in the area.
through a credit mechanism, available He bought bicycles and rents them to tourists.
to groups and individuals interested in
starting their own enterprises. The ECC
partners and other community mem-
bers will also be invited to participate in
a business/enterprise training program.
This will not only help them to identify
business ideas, but also to prepare a bu-
siness plan and put it into practice with The outcome of this initiative will be largely
a view to developing micro or small bu- determined by the creation and consolidation
sinesses. of five Community Credit Unions, and by the
identification and implementation of production
3. Evaluation and consolidation phase: the alternatives with 25 entrepreneurs – men and
project also contemplates an assessment women – in the marine-coastal zone of ACOSA.
of the economic, social and environ- This effort will hopefully result in the creation of
mental feasibility of the business plans micro and small businesses in the hands of local
and several business consultancies to people, based on the sustainable use of the marine
strengthen the enterprises that emerge and coastal resources, within and outside the
from this process. AMPS of ACOSA.
25
CRUSA FOUNDATION Annual Report 2008
List of aproved projects
in environment
The funds requested from CRUSA would be specifically used to cover the costs of organizing the workshop
and the publication of the reports.
26
CRUSA FOUNDATION Annual Report 2008
Strategic Capacity
29
CRUSA FOUNDATION Annual Report 2008
Photo courtesy of the National Center for Supercomputing Applications
(NCSA) and the Board of Directors of the University of Illinois
31
CRUSA FOUNDATION Annual Report 2008
Advanced Research And
Technology Collaboratory For
32
CRUSA FOUNDATION Annual Report 2008
mented with the incorporation of new partners
who can participate in the identification, prepara-
tion and execution of programs and projects.
The transmission of scientific data in Latin America by means of
supercomputer networks, is one of the goals of ARTCA.
In order to receive the necessary training, bet-
ween June and August of 2008, 24 researchers
and graduate students from Costa Rica and other
countries of the region participated in summer
workshops on Computational Science, financed developing the necessary knowledge and skills to
and organized by the TeraGrid consortium. participate in interdisciplinary projects related to
computer science.
It is also important to mention that, in a period of
less than one month, CRUSA was able to respond Between August and October, several prospec-
to an opportunity presented by the Intel Founda- ting visits took place to find possible partners for
tion, obtaining a grant of USD $39,000.00 for the ARTCA. One of the most important contacts was
organization and implementation of a Program of with the National Scientific Computing Labora-
Interdisciplinary Courses in Computer Science, tory (LNCC) of Brazil, specifically to participate
in the context of ARTCA. During the first semon- in a research group that is working on malaria.
thter of 2009, this project will prepare a full study This initiative is being led by the University of
program, at Masters level, for existing graduate Nairobi and the University of Alabama, in Bir-
courses in the fields of natural science, enginee- mingham, which is competing for funds from
ring, and computer science. The focus will be on the Gates Foundation. Visits were also made to
the Universities of San Carlos and Del Valle, in
Guatemala.
33
CRUSA FOUNDATION Annual Report 2008
WEB CONTENT
www.crusa.cr/12
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34
CRUSA FOUNDATION Annual Report 2008
• The annual publication of a Report on the Sta-
te of Science, Technology and Innovation in
Costa Rica. The idea of this report is to perio-
dically monitor the country’s progress in the
areas of science and technology. This effort
was implemented jointly with the State of the
Nation Project.
In this regard, it is important to mention that with • The design and formulation of the Project
the legal constitution of this Association in 2008, “Multilingual Costa Rica”, which proposes to
Estrategia Siglo XXI became the first autonomous improve the level of knowledge and use of the
organization, completely separate from the CRU- English language in the country.
SA Foundation, to emerge from an initiative by
CRUSA’s Assembly of Founding Members. • The design and formulation of a project for the
Definition of Digital Standards for Teachers
With respect to the implementation of the Strate-
gy, the work begun in 2007 continued throughout • Support to the National Training Institute
2008, with a strategic decision by the Governing (INA) in an effort to design and raise funds
Board to focus its efforts on the Area of Educa- for the creation of a Technical Training Cen-
tion. The activities carried out to date have invol- ter in Advanced Technologies (CATTEA).
ved the following institutions and projects: The project has been implemented with the
joint support of EARTH University, the Ad
• Support to the Ministry of Science and Astra Rocket company and Strategy for the
Technology in the preparation of Costa 21st Century.
Rica’s Innovation Atlas. This document
was prepared in 2007 by the National • Collaborative work with a group of “partner”
Innovation Commission (of which Es- universities in the United States, with the aim
trategia Siglo XXI forms part) and was of supporting projects and programs that are
published in May of 2008. key to the implementation of the Strategy for
the 21st Century. To date, the group of partner
• The formulation of a proposal for the Pro- universities includes: i) Kansas State Universi-
ject: State of Science, Technology and In- ty, ii) Michigan State University, iii) University
novation (Sc+T+i), a joint initiative by the of California, in Los Angeles, iv) University of
State of the Nation Project (Estado de La Florida, v) University of Kansas and vi) Univer-
Nación) and Strategy for the 21st Century. sity of Texas, Austin.
35
CRUSA FOUNDATION Annual Report 2008
WEB CONTENT
www.crusa.cr/13
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In 2008, a total of 17 project proposals were sub- Funding was also approved for a research project
mitted for evaluation by two panels of experts in led by Dr. Edgardo Moreno, a researcher at the
each of the topics. The panels met in Spain and National University’s School of Veterinary Medi-
Costa Rica and selected five proposals that will cine. This team will work on the development of
receive funding for a period of 24 months. new vaccines for brucellosis, a disease that attac-
ks cattle and that could be harmful to humans.
36
CRUSA FOUNDATION Annual Report 2008
Another of the projects selected was proposed by
Dr. Jose Maria Gutiérrez along with other scien-
tists at the Clodomiro Picado Institute, of the
University of Costa Rica. This project will study
the composition of various snake venoms found The consequences derived from the protection of wetlands in the
development of amphibians of the northwest area of the country,
in Costa Rica to find out why these damage the is one of the goals of the projects supported by the CRUSA-CSIC
tissue in the area where the venom is injected, in Agreement.
37
CRUSA FOUNDATION Annual Report 2008
List of aproved projects
in science and technology
Specifically: host a meeting to mark the formal launch of the work of ARTCA’s Management Committee.
Seed fund for the creation and consolidation of the Advanced Research and
Technology Collaborative for the Americas (ARTCA).
Executor: Centro Nacional de Alta Tecnología/ Administrator: FUNCENAT
National Center for High Technology
Colones: 147.342.000,00 Dollars: 290.000,00 Duration: 36 months
Description:
The aim is to build and consolidate a consortium of institutions in order to create opportunities for regional
and hemispheric collaboration in different areas of scientific and technological research and development
(R&D) among partners from the three Americas. These efforts will seek to promote sustainable solutions
to common problems.
Support for the project to design a Digital Strategy for Costa Rica
Executor: Club de Investigación Tecnológica Administrator: INCAE
Colones: 10.000.000,00 Dollars: 20.272,00 Duration: 2 months
Description:
The purpose of this project is to design a Strategy for the short-term implementation of improvements in
four specific areas: connectivity, education, productivity and transparency.
This exercise will use a pragmatic approach and will adopt the recommendations made in various studies
carried out in the country in recent years. It will identify actions that are supported with realistic funding,
as well as the necessary human and technological resources.
More specifically, the project will partially cover the fees of the experts responsible for drafting the chap-
ters of the Strategy and for overseeing its publication and dissemination.
38
CRUSA FOUNDATION Annual Report 2008
“CSIC/CRUSA” Cooperation Agreement
Executor: Consejo Superior de Investigación Administrator: CRUSA Foundation
Científica de España/ Higher Council for Scientific
Research of Spain (CSIC)
Colones: 77.047.612,00 Dollars: 156.875,05 Duration: 12 months
Description:
As a result of an agreement signed by the Scientific Research Council of Spain (CSIC) and the CRUSA
Foundation, an annual budget of €100,000 from the CSIC, and approximately $100,000 from CRUSA, has
been allocated to finance this program. The funds will be shared between five research projects.
Under the agreement, a maximum of five projects may be approved annually, each with a duration of one or
two years, with the additional possibility of being renewed for another two years. In this case, the projects
would compete with other proposals, for a total duration of four years. The maximum amount of funding
awarded to each project will be €40.000 (€20,000 from CSIC and €20,000 from CRUSA).
Specifically, CRUSA will provide matching funds to cover the publication costs of the CAATEC Series:
Costa Rica Digital, in Spanish and in English, both versions in digital format. The Spanish version will also
be available in print. The digital versions will be distributed within the country and abroad.
Developing digital experiences and resources to update priority topics in the tea-
ching of science and mathematics
Executor: Foundation for the National Center Administrator: Foundation for the
for Science and Technology National Center for Science and Technology
Colones: 4.996.000,00 Dollars: 9.769,00 Duration: 12 months
Description:
An effort to give continuity and update the country’s education programs, strengthening their scope in
areas such as climate change and the teaching of science combined with mathematics. The aim is to streng-
then formal and informal education in science, mathematics and technology, giving priority to issues that
require new approaches and continuous learning in order to adapt to environmental changes with eco-
friendly practices, foster the use of technology and promote innovation.
This effort is being implemented in the context of the traditional national science and mathematics confe-
rences, a joint initiative by the Ministries of Education, Science, Environment and Culture, as well as state
universities.
Specifically, the funds requested from CRUSA will be used to contract several consultants and to finance
workshops, courses and lectures that will be imparted by at least five experts in these subjects from the
United States.
39
CRUSA FOUNDATION Annual Report 2008
Triple E - Phase 2. Enterprise and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
Executor: Foundation for the Development of Administrator: Foundation for the
International Trade (FUDECI) Development of International Trade (FUDECI)
Colones: 5,492,400.00 Dollars: 10,000.00 Duration: 6 months
Description:
For more than three years, with CRUSA’s support, the Foundation for the Development of International
Trade (FUDECI) has successfully implemented a training initiative with secondary school students in
schools throughout the country. The training programs known as Triple E (Student Export Enterprises
2005 – 2007) and K9-GLOBE (The International Market – Global Business Enterprise 2006 – 2008, have
been implemented with a positive impact, in partnership with Empresarios Juveniles de Costa Rica (Junior
Achievement).
The topics covered by the TRIPLE E and K9-GLOBE programs focus on business development and entre-
preneurship with an emphasis on international trade. These workshops have helped to develop business
awareness and promote an export-oriented mentality among the approximately 2,500 students who have
participated.
The “Triple E - Phase 2 Project: Entrepreneurship and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)” will initially
involve the implementation of four practical workshops directed at groups of high school students. The
workshops will be imparted in different schools, with the participation of companies that are interested
in making an impact on student communities, and whose task will be to strengthen the links between the
company and the local community through CSR. As a result of this effort, another group of 250 young en-
trepreneurs will receive training.
This initiative involves a partnership with the Institute for Innovation Management (INGENIO) of the
Polytechnic University of Valencia (UPV) in the design of a Masters program in technology and innova-
tion management, based on the advances achieved in this field in the developed countries, also taking into
consideration the business environment in the Central American region.
Specifically, CRUSA would provide matching funds to cover the travel costs to enable ITCR staff to participate
in a workshop in Spain, and the travel costs of UPV staff to participate in the workshop in Costa Rica.
40
CRUSA FOUNDATION Annual Report 2008
Education
42
CRUSA FOUNDATION Annual Report 2008
WEB CONTENT
www.crusa.cr/14
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Outstanding initiatives
43
CRUSA FOUNDATION Annual Report 2008
and science curriculum for ninth and tenth gra-
de high school students. In terms of operational
results, all the goals established at the start of the
program were achieved.
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CRUSA FOUNDATION Annual Report 2008
List of aproved projects
in education
Specifically, CRUSA will provide matching funds for the preparation of a study on the global education-
tourism market, its potential for development in Costa Rica and its impact. Similarly, the study will assess
the availability of educational programs in Costa Rica that might be attractive to “education” tourists.
The idea is to set up a bakery selling bread and cakes in the community of Santa Cruz, which will also help
to provide job opportunities for local women.
45
CRUSA FOUNDATION Annual Report 2008
Support for Peace Corps volunteers, Costa Rica
Developing a recreational, social and cultural center in the community of Santa
Cruz, Turrialba
Executor: Development Association of Santa Administrator: Development Association
Cruz de Turrialba of Santa Cruz de Turrialba
Colones: 1.459.279,00 Dollars: 2.954,00 Duration: 4 months
Description:
The local community center is currently in a poor state of repair. This project aims to remodel the building
so that it can also be used for different sporting and cultural activities.
This project aims to provide the community with a physical space in good conditions so that children and
young people can spend their leisure time in a healthy environment, without turning to other undesirable
forms of entertainment such as drugs, which are becoming a problem in Santa Cruz.
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CRUSA FOUNDATION Annual Report 2008
Support for Peace Corps volunteers, Costa Rica
Construction of Bio-digesters to reduce dependence on traditional cooking
methods and promote environmental conservation in the community of Monte
Alegre.
Executor: Association of Women Producers Administrator: Association of Women
and Conservationists of Monte Alegre de Guatuso Producers and Conservationists of Monte
Alegre de Guatuso
Colones: 1.653.093,00 Dollars: 3.341,00 Duration: 3 months
Description:
Provide funds to an association of women agricultural producers and conservationists in the settlement of
Monte Alegre de Guatuso to build nine bio-digesters and teach them how to operate and maintain these
correctly. This project is a joint effort by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, EARTH University, the
Peace Corps and CRUSA.
The funds requested from the CRUSA Foundation would be used specifically to hire a fulltime professional
to take charge of the tasks of designing and submitting projects for funding, and following up on these
projects.
Specifically, the project will build a waste management facility that meets the basic requirements established
by the Ministry of Health for the effective implementation of a Collection Point for recycling in the canton
of Tilarán.
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CRUSA FOUNDATION Annual Report 2008
Green Project: Growing Opportunities
Executor: Centro Nacional de Educación Espe- Administrator: Fernando Centeno Guell
cial Fernando Centeno Guell/National Center for National Center for Special Education
Special Education
Colones: 5.500.000,00 Dollars: 10.102,00 Duration: 12 months
Description:
The project aims to improve the quality of life of students with cognitive challenges and other related disa-
bilities, through a horticulture program in the multi-sensorial gardens developed on the school premises.
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CRUSA FOUNDATION Annual Report 2008
Support for Peace Corps volunteers, Costa Rica
Improving environmental conditions in the classrooms of Block One of the
Special Education Center of Pérez Zeledón
Executor: Administrative Board of the Special Administrator: Administrative Board of
Education School, Pérez Zeledón the Special Education School, Pérez Zeledón
Colones: 1.922.340,00 Dollars: 3.497,00 Duration: 8 months
Description:
The lack of a ceiling at this special education Center often interferes with the students’ learning, due to the intense
heat in the classrooms or the excessive noise when it rains. This project aims to improve the infrastructure in the
classrooms that serve children with special education needs.
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CRUSA FOUNDATION Annual Report 2008
Support for Peace Corps volunteers, Costa Rica
Promoting recycling at El Progreso elementary school and in the community in
genera
Executor: Education Board of El Progreso Ele- Administrator: Education Board of El
mentary School Progreso Elementary School
Colones: 1.228.178,00 Dollars: 2.228,00 Duration: 3 months
Description:
Despite the fact that the inhabitants of the community of El Progreso depend directly on the environment
for their subsistence, they lack the necessary resources to ensure its conservation and care. Moreover, there
is no garbage collection service in the community.
For this reason, El Progreso elementary school is planning to build and implement a collection center to
promote the recycling of the solid waste generated by the community.
Specifically, the project will encourage and promote good habits in the management of solid waste among
the students and in the community as a whole. This will help to improve the environment, the school and
the community of El Progreso.
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CRUSA FOUNDATION Annual Report 2008
Support for Peace Corps volunteers, Costa Rica
Improving access technology in the Bribri indigenous territory
Executor: Education Board of Suretka Administrator: Education Board of Sure-
Elementary School tka Elementary School
Colones: 1.890.125,00 Dollars: 3.434,00 Duration: 2 months
Description:
Improve the installations and security of the computer lab at the Suretka elementary school, by extending
and repairing the roof and installing electricity, thereby providing better facilities for the students.
The project aims to improve the learning facilities at the Rey Curré Indigenous Elementary School, through
the construction of a new classroom to impart kindergarten lessons.
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CRUSA FOUNDATION Annual Report 2008
Towards strengthening rural education: International Baccalaureate
Executor: Liceo Experimental Bilingüe de Administrator: Liceo Experimental
Palmares/ Palmares Bilingual School Bilingüe de Palmares
Colones: 14.999.995,00 Dollars: 30.407,45 Duration: 12 months
Description:
In addition to offering better opportunities for young people to develop as professionals and as members of a
competitive society, this initiative seeks to offer students an excellent standard of education, similar to that offered
by private school in the Metropolitan Area without having to leave their families or their communities.
Specifically, the funds requested will be used for the training of teachers, coordinators and personnel who form
part of the program, with a view to preparing them to effectively implement the International Baccalaureate.
The results of this assessment will provide the basis for structuring the training plan that was launched in
2008 with the participation of 500 teachers in intensive 8-week courses. Funds for the implementation of this
initiative have already been approved in the Ministry’s regular budget.
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CRUSA FOUNDATION Annual Report 2008
Organizational Structure
Assembly of
Founding Members
The Assembly of Founding Members is the
CRUSA Foundation’s governing body. It is made
up of an equal number of Costa Ricans and Nor-
th Americans and is responsible for ensuring the
fulfillment of the Foundation’s objectives and for
preserving its Endowment Fund. It is also in char-
ge of approving the institution’s regulations.
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CRUSA FOUNDATION Annual Report 2008
Staff Armando Alfaro,
senior program officer
The Administration of the CRUSA Foundation aalfaro@crusa.cr
consists of an Executive Directorate, a Programs
Ana María Camacho,
Directorate, and an Administrative/Financial Di-
program officer
rectorate. For certain specialized tasks, CRUSA acamacho@crusa.cr
relies on the services of external consultants or
service providers. It also has various specialized Mayra Zamora
committees, such as the Investments Committee secretary
and the Communications Committee, which are mzamora@crusa.cr
made up of distinguished professionals.
Financial-Administrative Directorate
Executive Directorate
Robert Salazar,
Hermann L. Faith, financial-administrative director
executive director rsalazar@crusa.cr
hlfaith@crusa.cr
Noma Díaz,
Katty Fernández, administrative-accounting officer
image and communications officer ndiaz@crusa.cr
kfernandez@crusa.cr
Carlos Laurent,
Mariana Cortés, information technology (IT) officer
secretary claurent@crusa.cr
mcortes@crusa.cr
Keneth Jaen
information technology (IT) officer
Programs Directorate kjaen@crusa.cr
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CRUSA FOUNDATION Annual Report 2008
Financial Statements
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CRUSA FOUNDATION Annual Report 2008
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CRUSA FOUNDATION Annual Report 2008
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CRUSA FOUNDATION Annual Report 2008
Mission
Vision
Visit our web site at: www.crusa.cr. Here you will find extensi-
ve information about CRUSA Foundation`s work and activities,
including a complete list of projects that CRUSA has supported
during 12 years of operations, opportunities, previous annual re-
ports, news, forms and many more documents.