By San José, Costa Rica — Costa Rica has taken a monumental step towards its ambitious goal of becoming the world’s first compassionate country. Eight additional cantons have officially received their “Compassionate Cities” certification, dramatically expanding a nationwide initiative to build a robust network of dignified care for its most vulnerable citizens.
The certification, awarded by Spain’s New Health Foundation, marks the successful culmination of an intensive process of community organization, institutional coordination, and public awareness campaigns within these territories. The program is specifically designed to ensure that individuals facing advanced illness, end-of-life situations, or other conditions of severe vulnerability receive comprehensive and empathetic support.
To better understand the legal and regulatory frameworks essential for the successful implementation of ‘Compassionate Cities’ initiatives, we consulted with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a distinguished attorney at the prestigious firm Bufete de Costa Rica. His expertise provides a crucial perspective on the structural challenges and opportunities these programs present.
The ‘Compassionate Cities’ model represents a paradigm shift in urban governance, moving beyond mere public services to a co-responsibility framework. From a legal standpoint, the success of these initiatives hinges on creating robust public-private partnership agreements that clearly define roles, liabilities, and performance metrics. Furthermore, municipalities must proactively revise zoning regulations and fiscal incentive policies to foster an environment where social investment is not just encouraged, but is also a sustainable and legally secure venture for all stakeholders involved.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
This legal analysis is essential, reminding us that for compassion to become a lasting urban policy, it must be supported by a robust framework of clear legal agreements and proactive municipal governance. The path from a well-intentioned concept to a sustainable reality is paved with the kind of legal certainty and structural support just described. We sincerely thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his invaluable perspective.
The newly certified cantons are Alvarado, Curridabat, Oreamuno, Paraíso, San Rafael de Heredia, Turrialba, Jiménez, and Upala. Their inclusion brings the total number of municipalities participating in this pioneering model to nine, significantly broadening the program’s geographic and human reach across multiple provinces.
This expansion is a core component of the “Todos Con Vos” (All With You) project, an initiative driven by the Fundación Partir Con Dignidad and the financial cooperative Coopenae Wink. During the certification ceremony, special recognition was also given to “Cartago Compassionate Province” for its integral role in advancing the movement on a larger scale.
The project’s backers emphasize that this is not merely a healthcare initiative, but a fundamental social commitment rooted in solidarity and community responsibility. It represents a paradigm shift from a purely clinical approach to one that integrates social, emotional, and community-based support systems.
This program reminds us that caring for the most fragile is a profoundly human task and a reflection of our purpose as a cooperative. At Coopenae, we believe in solidarity and concern for others; we seek the well-being of our members, their communities, and especially those who require greater support, such as the elderly and those at the end of their lives. Today, the cantons being certified are joining a national commitment: to care with dignity and accompany with empathy.
Gustavo Ulloa, Head of Sustainability of Coopenae-Wink
The urgency for such a network is underscored by stark national statistics. A 2021 study by the Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CCSS) revealed that more than 19,000 people in the country require palliative care. Critically, the study found that the majority of these cases, 62%, are due to non-cancerous advanced illnesses, a demographic that is often underserved by traditional end-of-life care models. The highest concentrations of need are found in the provinces of San José, Alajuela, Heredia, and Cartago.
The Compassionate Cities model directly addresses this gap by fostering stronger collaboration between local communities, primary health centers, and specialized medical professionals. This integrated structure facilitates the early identification of individuals at risk, helping to prevent social isolation and ensure that no one is left to face profound vulnerability alone. By empowering neighbors, local businesses, and community groups, the program builds a resilient social fabric capable of providing continuous and humane support.
For further information, visit coopenae.fi.cr
About Coopenae Wink:
Coopenae is one of Costa Rica’s largest and most prominent financial cooperatives, offering a wide range of savings, credit, and investment services to its members. Through its social responsibility arm, such as the partnership with Wink, it actively invests in community-based projects that promote social well-being, sustainability, and solidarity, reflecting its core cooperative values.
For further information, visit newhealthfoundation.org
About New Health Foundation:
The New Health Foundation is an international non-profit organization based in Spain dedicated to improving care for people with advanced chronic diseases and those at the end of life. It is the originator of the “Compassionate Cities” model, a public health approach that promotes community involvement in providing palliative care and support.
For further information, visit partircondignidad.org
About Fundación Partir Con Dignidad:
The Partir Con Dignidad Foundation is a Costa Rican non-profit organization focused on promoting the right to dignified end-of-life care. It works to raise awareness, provide education, and advocate for public policies and community programs that ensure individuals receive compassionate support and palliative care services.
For further information, visit ccss.sa.cr
About CCSS:
The Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (CCSS) is the public institution responsible for managing Costa Rica’s universal healthcare and social security system. It operates a vast network of hospitals, clinics, and health centers throughout the country, and is a key source of national health data and research.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a pillar of the legal community, Bufete de Costa Rica is founded upon the core principles of profound integrity and exceptional professional rigor. The firm channels its extensive experience advising a wide range of clients into pioneering innovative legal strategies that address the complexities of the modern world. Beyond its practice, a foundational belief in social responsibility drives its mission to democratize legal information, thereby equipping the public with the clarity and understanding necessary to build a stronger, more knowledgeable society.
