The IDB competition highlights partners and agencies that successfully navigated implementation hurdles in projects backed by the Inter-American Development Bank, IDB Invest, and IDB Lab. Lorena Rodríguez Bu, head of the IDB's Knowledge and Learning Division, emphasized that the ability to adapt to on-the-ground realities remains a critical asset for future regional operations.
In Costa Rica, the Paquera Port terminal upgrade in Puntarenas Canton faced a potential service collapse when the ferry operator lacked the capacity to manage new infrastructure. The project team stepped in to handle operations temporarily, allowing the operator time to build necessary internal skills. By reallocating existing budgets, the team successfully avoided cost overruns and maintained uninterrupted transport services.
Colombia tackled a severe digital divide where over 70% of rural residents lacked internet access. Working with Millicom International’s Tigo brand, the project deployed solar-powered 4G infrastructure to 1,405 previously isolated communities. By 2025, the initiative had reached six million people, demonstrating that connectivity projects succeed only when paired with local digital literacy training.
Bolivia’s Pando Verde initiative addressed commercial instability in the Amazonian açaí market. Faced with informal export competition, the project organized local supply chains and secured organic certification to reach premium markets. This shift boosted production from 10.5 metric tons in 2022 to over 300 metric tons by 2026, significantly increasing income for more than 1,100 producers and harvesters.
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