Asociación ANAI, a Costa Rican nonprofit organization, has pioneered some of the world's most successful and highly participatory community based development initativies in tropical zones. Since 1978, ANAI has worked hand in hand with the inhabitants of Costa Rica’s
Talamanca region, a
UNESCO World Heritage Site and ‘Biodiversity Hotspot’. ANAI and its Talamancan partners have found ways to advance a sustainable development agenda in one of the most logistically and socially difficult areas of Central America. This alliance has successfully nurtured local entrepreneurs to carry out economically viable activities that are environmentally sound as well as national technical capacity and leadership.
Talamanca is making a contribution to biodiversity conservation far beyond its borders, and
ANAI is demonstrating the significant effect that an experienced, creative and dedicated group can have in a strategically important region such as Talamanca.
ANAI and the Talamanca Initiative were proud recipients of the
United Nations Equator Prize which recognizes “extraordinary accomplishments in reducing poverty in the tropics through conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity”. The uniqueness of
ANAI is reflected in the practical steps taken in creating a grassroots process putting these ideas into practice in a region where most adults lack secondary education. Please use this website to learn more about us and ways you can become involved in helping!
