As part of the strategic actions of the BELLA II project, representatives from RedCLARA carried out a mission to Costa Rica aimed at strengthening alliances that support the country’s integration into the regional digital ecosystem and enhance its contribution to digital transformation processes in Latin America and the Caribbean.
José Palacios, member of the RedCLARA Board and President of the Chilean network REUNA; Carlos Gamboa, Executive Director of Costa Rica’s National Research and Education Network (RedCONARE) and also a member of the RedCLARA Board; and Leonel Tapia, International Cooperation Advisor at RedCLARA, comprised the delegation.
Costa Rica, recognized as one of the most digitally advanced countries in Central America, is among the priority countries of the BELLA II project, along with Peru, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. BELLA II, implemented by RedCLARA and co-funded by the European Union (EU), seeks to develop the infrastructure needed to consolidate and expand a digital ecosystem for science, technology, education, and innovation that helps address key regional challenges and foster socioeconomic development.
For Costa Rica, joining BELLA II presents a strategic opportunity to expand its capabilities, strengthen its national research and education infrastructure, build international partnerships, and position itself as a regional leader in science, technology, and innovation. The country would gain an operational capacity of 20 Gbps—connectivity with significant potential, especially when applied to research, education, and technological development. With its solid digital foundation, Costa Rica is well-positioned to quickly leverage the benefits of BELLA II and enhance its impact in Central America.
RedCLARA advanced discussions with the Ministry of Science, Innovation, Technology, and Telecommunications (MICITT) during its mission to sign an agreement soon that will formally incorporate the country into BELLA II and activate new connectivity capacities.
The delegation also held meetings to present the BELLA II project, its roadmap, and priorities aligned with national goals, while identifying specific opportunities for joint work with academia, national operators, technical agencies, and multilateral organizations. These partnerships aim to strengthen research and education infrastructure, promote the use of RedCLARA’s advanced digital services, and activate training and innovation spaces with territorial impact.
RedCLARA’s representatives met with the EU Delegation in Costa Rica, the Costa Rican Chamber of Infocommunication and Technology (INFOCOM), the Bank of Costa Rica (BCR), the National Academy of Sciences, the Costa Rica Network Information Center (NIC), the National Technical University (UTN), the University of Costa Rica (UCR), the State Distance University (UNED), the Ministry of Public Education (MEP), and wholesale telecom operators UFINET and FONATEL.
In the meeting with the EU Delegation, attended by Willy Carvajal, Regional Digital Projects Officer, discussions covered the progress of BELLA II and its contributions to the Copernicus Program. The meeting with INFOCOM explored collaboration opportunities in rural connectivity, talent development, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence. INFOCOM representatives showed interest in aligning efforts with academia and confirmed their willingness to participate in TICAL2025, RedCLARA’s flagship conference to be held in November in San José.
The National Academy of Sciences and NIC Costa Rica, which manages the country’s internet domain names, voiced strong support for BELLA II, describing it as a highly strategic initiative. They also expressed interest in promoting membership in the national Internet Exchange Point (IXP), which is essential for optimizing national connectivity and strengthening research, education, and technological capacities.
University meetings focused on the training, research, and collaboration opportunities BELLA II will bring. Discussions included the use of RedCLARA’s tools and services and the development of joint projects in areas such as artificial intelligence, real-time data analysis, mental health, environment, and applied research. Workshops were also planned to raise awareness about the benefits of advanced connectivity and explore new avenues of institutional cooperation.
Telecom operators UFINET and FONATEL showed interest in collaborating to strengthen Costa Rica’s national research and education infrastructure. The mission concluded with a visit to the Ministry of Public Education, where possible synergies were explored to expand access to RedCLARA’s regional knowledge platforms for primary and secondary education.
