Help 150 Communities Plan and Design Their Future

Over the past few months, 100 cartucheras have made their way into the hands of community leaders across more than 70 communities. Each one is more than just a toolkit—it’s a companion in the journey of grassroots organizing, participatory planning, and collective action. We’ve seen them land in the hands of neighbors dreaming up community gardens, artists reclaiming abandoned spaces, and educators creating safe learning environments. Every cartuchera carries the seeds of possibility, offering practical tools, strategies, and inspiration to those working to transform their surroundings.

Meanwhile, our second round of capacity-building for community project management certification is in full swing, welcoming seven participants from diverse backgrounds. These individuals bring with them stories of resilience, determination, and a shared commitment to strengthening their communities. The program goes beyond theory—it’s a hands-on, collaborative process, where participants learn by doing, exchanging knowledge, and supporting one another as they develop real-world projects. Watching them connect, strategize, and take ownership of their initiativesreinforces why building local capacity is one of the most powerful investments we can make.

Dadópolis is a game rooted in urban elements, featuring activities that activate connections between public spaces, nature, and community interactions. Participants use icons as storytelling tools, weaving together diverse narrativesthat reflect shared urban experiences. Through play, Dadópolis fosters imagination, collaboration, and dialogue, encouraging participants to reimagine their surroundings and explore new possibilities for public space activation.

The game was designed by our team, incorporating salvaged wood and laser engraving to create a durable and engaging experience. Additionally, a local artist contributed by crafting the fabric pouches using recycled materials, ensuring that Dadópolis not only serves as a tool for community engagement and learning but also reflects sustainability and creative reuse in its production.

As we continue this journey, we remain committed to expanding access, refining our approach, and adapting these tools to meet evolving community needs. Every cartuchera delivered, every workshop held, and every conversation sparked is another step toward a more self-sustaining, empowered Puerto Rico. We are excited to see how these tools will continue to ignite creativity, strengthen networks, and fuel the incredible work being led from the ground up.

This initiative has launched with incredible momentum, achieving the distribution of nearly 100 toolkits to a diverse group of organizations, community leaders, and professionals engaged in participatory design and sustainable community development. The toolkits were designed to empower users with practical resources and methodologies, and their dissemination marks a significant milestone in promoting collaborative and sustainable practices across various sectors.

To ensure a deeper understanding of the toolkit’s capabilities, we hosted three introductory presentations in key locations: Caguas, Río Piedras, and Ponce. These events provided an opportunity for participants to familiarize themselves with the tools and explore how they can be applied to address specific community challenges. The response has been overwhelmingly positive, highlighting a strong demand for resources that foster localized solutions and community-driven approaches. 

As part of the rollout, we successfully trained five professionals specializing in areas such as urban planning, animal rescue, arts, and sustainable tourism. This diverse group showcased the broad applicability of the toolkit, emphasizing its potential to support initiatives ranging from environmental preservation to cultural enrichment. These training sessions also revealed how the toolkit can bridge different disciplines, encouraging cross-sector collaboration and innovation.

Looking ahead, we are excited to deepen our impact by partnering with three organizations to develop customized training sessions tailored to their unique missions and services. This approach will allow us to personalize the toolkit’s application, ensuring it directly addresses the specific needs and goals of each organization. By integrating the toolkit into their workflows, these organizations will be better equipped to drive sustainable development and meaningful change within their communities.

This journey has been one of profound learning, not only for the communities and professionals we’ve engaged but also for our team. The rollout of this toolkit has illuminated its vast potential to serve as a transformative resource, enabling communities to take charge of their development through innovative and sustainable approaches. As we move forward, we remain committed to refining and expanding this initiative to reach even more communities and catalyze sustainable development across a broader spectrum of sectors.

Thanks for the support!