What if innovation didn’t begin in major tech hubs, but instead in local markets, community halls, and small-town councils? In Costa Rica, Connection SDGs (Conexión ODS) is proving just that. By combining digital tools with local leadership, the initiative is enabling women entrepreneurs, community leaders, and municipalities to harness technology for everyday solutions—and to build a more inclusive future.
So far, more than 300 people have strengthened their skills in digital literacy, data analysis, artificial intelligence and online security. At the same time, 160 women have consolidated their capacities to lead businesses and community projects thanks to targeted training in leadership and the use of digital tools. These results are part of the joint programme Connection SDGs, an initiative that is reshaping the relationship between communities and local governments in Costa Rica by linking technological innovation with gender equality, community participation, and sustainable development.
Implemented in the cantons of Atenas, Palmares, and Sarchí, the project demonstrates how digital transformation can be a driver of inclusive and sustainable development at the local level. It stands out in three key areas: the empowerment of women entrepreneurs and community leaders who have strengthened their projects with digital tools; the modernization of municipal public management through technologies that promote evidence-based decision-making; and the strengthening of the Community Innovation Labs (LINCs) as spaces to design local solutions using technology.
Connection SDGs is led by the United Nations in Costa Rica through UN-Habitat, UN Women, and UNDP, with institutional leadership from the Institute for Municipal Development and Advisory (IFAM) and the Ministry of Science, Innovation, Technology and Telecommunications (MICITT), in partnership with the municipalities of Sarchí, Palmares, and Atenas. The Joint SDG Fund provides technical and financial support.
With this collaboration, the programme not only brings technology closer to communities, but also strengthens democratic governance and citizen participation—laying the foundations for a more connected and sustainable future.
“From the communities is the best way in which we see science, technology and innovation grow. People themselves have made their own development possible, they have become central figures of change. Thanks to the LINCs as a tool, they have taken on the task of innovating and undertaking. Thanks to all of them, and to those who made it possible to carry out this initiative,” highlighted Orlando Vega, Vice Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation.
Technology with a human face
The project has supported the LINCs to become true community laboratories: spaces equipped with 3D printers, drones and digital learning stations, where technology is at the service of people and communities. “All these resources have made me gain confidence, to know that I really can. We are women with all the strength to move forward,” said Krissia Dylana Jiménez, soap entrepreneur in Palmares.
Beyond technology, Connection SDGs promotes a social transformation with a gender focus. Women like Judith Víquez, councilor in Atenas, have strengthened their political and organizational capacities thanks to community leadership workshops. “When I arrived at the municipality I knew nothing about public policies, but this programme opened my eyes. Now many women are motivated to get more involved in public affairs,” she said.
The programme also supported the development of a Gender Equality Policy in Sarchí and a methodological model for the development of similar policies in the other cantons. This policy, built through a participatory process that involved public officials, community organizations, youth and people with disabilities, establishes concrete mechanisms to integrate the gender perspective in municipal planning, from budget allocation to the design of public services.
More transparent and efficient local governments
Connection SDGs has been key to strengthening municipal management through digital tools. The three municipalities now have data dashboards, gender-focused planning processes and tools to improve tax collection and public services.
In Sarchí, for example, it was found that the municipality collected only 37% of its potential in property taxes. With the project’s analysis and technical advice, work is now being done to improve these systems and close the identified gaps.
“This is a very important project that we must replicate in other territories. It has not only provided technological tools, but also contributed to data analysis to improve municipal collection, strategic planning and territorial governance that leads us to formulate precise local public policy. This project also transforms the way in which territories are managed, through spaces that promote greater citizen participation to jointly solve the various challenges that our local governments must face,” emphasized Maricela Hernández, Executive Director of IFAM.
Scaling towards national impact
This work of digitization and municipal strengthening transcends Atenas, Palmares and Sarchí. Through the Network of SDG-Promoting Cantons, coordinated by the UN, IFAM and MIDEPLAN, it seeks to replicate the lessons learned in other cantons, providing technical assistance and access to projects such as Connection SDGs. By strengthening this transformative initiative, the implementation of the programme offers a replicable model to drive digital modernization with a gender focus and promote sustainable development from the local level.
“The joint programme Connection SDGs is a concrete example of how coordinated action between local governments, communities and international cooperation can generate real transformations in the territories. Betting on digital innovation, with a gender focus, strengthens local governance and reduces structural gaps. Today we reaffirm our commitment to these kinds of initiatives that put people at the center, promote equity and contribute to achieving sustainable development from the local level,” said Allegra Baiocchi, UN Resident Coordinator in Costa Rica.
This programme demonstrates that when technological innovation is combined with people-centered policies, especially in women and traditionally excluded groups, sustainable human development can be accelerated at the local level. The model, based on multi-actor and multi-sector alliances and multi-level governance, stands out as a good practice of digital transformation with a gender focus.
Note:
All joint programmes of the Joint SDG Fund are led by UN Resident Coordinators and implemented by the agencies, funds and programmes of the United Nations development system. With sincere appreciation for the contributions from the European Union and Governments of Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Monaco, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and our private sector funding partners, for a transformative movement towards achieving the SDGs by 2030.
