Building entrepreneurial capacity among Guánica stakeholders to develop resilience and maximize the socioeconomic development potential of its natural, cultural, and touristic assets

Building entrepreneurial capacity among Guánica stakeholders to develop resilience and maximize the socioeconomic development potential of its natural, cultural, and touristic assets

Tambourine Innovation Ventures (TIV) partnered with Protectores de Cuencas (PDC) Inc. on a transformative initiative entitled "Support for Protectores de Cuencas Inc.: Building Entrepreneurial Capacity among Guánica Stakeholders to Develop Resilience and Maximize the Socioeconomic Development Potential of its Natural, Cultural, and Touristic Assets." This vital project aimed to foster economic resilience and optimize the use of Guánica's natural and cultural resources through strategic community empowerment and entrepreneurial capacity building.

The primary goal of the initiative was to bolster the economic opportunities of the Guánica community by enhancing their entrepreneurial skills and creating viable eco-tourism, agro-tourism, and cultural experiences for both residents and visitors. Our approach integrated comprehensive community capacity building with educational programs designed to empower local organizations and community members to harness the socioeconomic potential of Guánica’s diverse assets. Through our collaboration, we conducted extensive reviews of academic and community-based literature to align our strategies with the most effective practices for rural and Indigenous community engagement and development. Our efforts focused on leveraging existing cultural and natural resources to stimulate economic development while preserving the area's environmental integrity and cultural heritage.

We identified innovative, adaptive solutions rooted in the community's rich cultural traditions and conservation practices. TIV’s team of experts systematized these practices into a comprehensive framework to guide the integration of traditional knowledge with modern entrepreneurial activities, ensuring sustainable development that respected the local culture and environment.

Our work with Protectores de Cuencas and the Guánica community demonstrated TIV’s commitment to supporting underserved communities through innovative and sustainable economic development initiatives. By integrating traditional insights with contemporary business practices, we laid the groundwork for significant enhancements in the area's quality of life and economic stability, fostering a sustainable and resilient development model.