SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — Foundation for Puerto Rico has launched a new Knowledge Capsule series designed to explore key concepts and findings emerging from its research efforts, including the Eastern Region Strategic Vision (ERSV) and other strategic frameworks developed by the organization.

The short-form video series complements Foundation for Puerto Rico’s Una Cita en el Colab podcast and is hosted by team members leading some of the organization’s most groundbreaking investigations. Through concise and accessible conversations, the capsules break down complex topics into practical insights for community leaders, stakeholders, and residents interested in the region’s long-term development.

To date, the series has featured capsules on:

• Mobility as a Service (MaaS) is an integrated approach to improving transportation and mobility across the Eastern Region.
• The Visitor Economy Impact Model examines how visitation contributes to regional economic development.
• Clusters as a strategy to strengthen attraction visitation, encouraging coordinated growth and increased competitiveness.

Each capsule connects research to action, reinforcing the ERSV’s broader framework for sustainable growth rooted in resilience, data-driven decision-making, and shared prosperity.

By expanding access to research findings in a dynamic, digestible format, Foundation for Puerto Rico continues to foster informed dialogue on the structural challenges and opportunities facing the Eastern Region.

We invite the public to stay tuned to our social media platforms for upcoming Knowledge Capsules and to join the conversation shaping the future of Puerto Rico’s Eastern Region.

At Foundation for Puerto Rico (FPR), we view cultural heritage as a powerful driver of sustainable economic development. Through our Community Innovation Hub, we are advancing the Sugar Heritage Route —an attraction itinerary designed to transform the Eastern Region’s sugar legacy into market-ready tourism products that benefit local communities.

From Historic Sites to Coordinated Experiences

Our team has traveled across 11 municipalities in the Eastern Region, engaging historians, municipal leaders, cultural managers, and entrepreneurs to co-design this route. We have visited historic sugar mill ruins such as Central Azucarera de Canóvanas and Central Azucarera Roig, as well as cultural institutions like Museo Afro Casa Silvana, which preserves Afro-Caribbean heritage and identity. We are also collaborating with local businesses such as Rum Caray and Yabucoa Rum Company, integrating contemporary enterprises into a cohesive heritage experience.

Through this process, we have traced potential routes, identified thematic narratives, and are developing scripts for guided interpretive experiences to ensure consistent, engaging, and culturally grounded storytelling.

From Design to Implementation

The Sugar Heritage Route is being developed in collaboration with the Puerto Rico Tourism Company, the Instituto de Cultura Puertorriqueña, the Regional Tourism Office, and municipal offices of Tourism and Culture.

Once finalized, the route framework and tour materials will be shared with the Puerto Rico Tourism Company so they can formalize arrangements and promote these destinations through their sustainability and routes programs.

By organizing these sites and businesses into a coordinated itinerary, we aim to diversify tourism offerings, strengthen local enterprises, and ensure that the region’s history becomes a catalyst for inclusive, long-term economic growth.

The Governance Strategy of the Eastern Region Strategic Vision (ERSV) is now available in its pre-publication edition.

Around the world, governance systems are evolving to respond to increasingly complex realities: challenges that cross jurisdictional boundaries, require coordination across sectors, and demand agility in the face of social, economic, and environmental change. Puerto Rico’s Eastern Region is no exception.

The accelerated impacts of climate change, population shifts, infrastructure vulnerabilities, and the growing demands of the visitor economy make clear that collaboration across diverse stakeholders and a shared vision are needed.

The Governance Pillar lays out a clear vision for regional sustainable development, supported by a representative governance framework that strengthens and supports community- and municipal-level capacity and advances long-term shared prosperity.

Why This Study?

Through extensive research, stakeholder engagement, and analysis across the 15 municipalities of the Eastern Region, a consistent theme emerged: implementation capacity and coordination are just as critical as vision.

Throughout the research process and engagement efforts, communities and leaders expressed the need for stronger alignment across municipalities, clearer regional structures for decision-making, and mechanisms to share expertise and resources. Without a coordinated framework, even the most promising economic, mobility, and placemaking initiatives risk fragmentation.

This strategy was developed to address that gap — proposing institutional models, coordination mechanisms, and governance structures capable of supporting the broader Eastern Region Strategic Vision.

Key Findings

1. Governance Must Operate at the Regional Scale

• Many of the region’s economic, environmental, and infrastructure challenges extend beyond municipal boundaries.
• Fragmented decision-making limits strategic alignment, resources, and investment effectiveness.
• A regional framework is necessary to coordinate priorities, funding, and implementation.

2. Institutional Capacity is a Structural Constraint

• Municipal governments often face technical, financial, and administrative capacity limitations.
• Shared services and regional collaboration can reduce duplication and increase efficiency.
• Long-term competitiveness depends on strengthening institutional systems and professional expertise.

3. Continuity Beyond Political Cycles is Essential

• Sustainable regional transformation requires structures that endure beyond electoral terms.
• Clear governance roles, accountability mechanisms, and transparent processes build long-term stability.
• Strategic consistency strengthens investor confidence and intergovernmental coordination.

4. Data and Collaboration Drive Smarter Decisions

• Reliable, accessible regional data is foundational for effective planning.
• Cross-sector collaboration — including public, private, nonprofit, and academic partners — enhances implementation capacity.
• Shared metrics and measurable outcomes improve transparency and collective impact.

5. The Eastern Region Has a Unique Opportunity to Lead

• The region’s geographic cohesion, economic assets, and active stakeholder ecosystem create favorable conditions for innovation.
• A unified governance framework can position the Eastern Region as a national model for coordinated development.
• Institutional strengthening and regional alignment are central to advancing long-term shared prosperity.

Looking Ahead

The Governance strategy seeks to bring diverse stakeholders to the same table to work together to achieve the Eastern Region Strategic Vision, supporting mobility, human capital, attractions, and economic development initiatives through structured coordination and institutional strengthening.

We invite you to explore the full Governance strategy and learn how a collaborative, regionally aligned governance approach can help shape a more resilient and prosperous future for Puerto Rico’s Eastern Region.

Access the full document here.

We are pleased to share the prepublication release of the Transportation and Mobility Strategy of the Eastern Region Strategic Vision (ERSV).

This chapter presents a comprehensive analysis of the challenges and opportunities shaping transportation and mobility across Puerto Rico’s Eastern Region. It addresses regional connectivity and integrates diverse transportation modes to promote equitable access and economic development — all grounded in sustainability, resilience, and long-term regional coordination.

Why This Study?

Over the past several years, through our work across municipalities in the Eastern Region, one theme surfaced consistently: mobility is both a barrier and a catalyst for development.

Residents shared stories of limited transportation options restricting access to jobs, education, healthcare, and recreation. Municipal leaders highlighted fragmented transit systems and the absence of coordinated regional planning. At the same time, the region’s strategic assets — from Ceiba’s airport and ferry terminal to gateway access points such as El Yunque National Forest — demonstrated significant potential for integrated, multimodal connectivity.

We undertook this study because transportation is not simply about moving people. It is about enabling opportunity, supporting local businesses, strengthening workforce participation, and positioning the Eastern Region as a cohesive economic and ecological system.

Key Findings

Learn about some of the key findings in our study.

1. Technology as a Placemaking Tool

• Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) platforms enable real-time visibility between riders and transit providers, optimizing transportation business models across modalities.
• MaaS integrates transportation routes, payment systems, and information on a single platform.
• Technology and digital infrastructure support inclusive placemaking by linking residents and visitors to local offerings.

2. Integrated Transportation Promotes Economic Development

• Visitation activity can increase ridership and the financial viability of a transportation system.
• An integrated transportation system can better distribute visitors across the region, enabling economic opportunities and mitigating tourism burdens.
• Blending transportation access with cultural interpretation deepens residents’ and visitors’ experience.
• Equitable access to transportation can improve job and essential service access for locals.

3. Modern Mobility Hubs as Placemaking Engines

• Mobility hubs can function as civic public spaces that drive commerce, tourism, and community pride while telling the story of regional heritage.
• Ceiba and Naguabo, for example, are strong contenders for a pilot initiative for an integrated multimodal placemaking strategy.

Learn More

Learn more about the Eastern Region Strategic Vision and explore the full document to understand how a coordinated approach to mobility can shape a more connected, resilient, and opportunity-driven future for Puerto Rico’s Eastern Region.

At Foundation for Puerto Rico, we believe that young professionals are not just the leaders of tomorrow but also catalysts for change today. That belief is at the heart of our Foundation Fellows Program; an experience designed to equip emerging leaders with the tools, networks, and real-world exposure needed to drive meaningful economic development across Puerto Rico.

Why Fellowships Matter

Fellowship opportunities play a pivotal role in a young professional’s life. Mentorship, initiative-based work, and cross-sector exposure accelerate career readiness, strengthen leadership skills, and build professional confidence. Fellowships bridge the gap between academic training and real-world application, allowing participants to develop critical thinking, project execution, and collaboration skills that are needed in dynamic environments.

Beyond skill-building, fellowships expand access to professional networks. For many emerging professionals, mentorship and exposure to industry leaders are transformative experiences that shape long-term career trajectories.

A Fellowship with Purpose

The Foundation Fellows Program is intentionally designed. Through Immersive Initiatives complemented by Mentorship, Fellows gain hands-on experience in economic development initiatives that directly impact Puerto Rico’s future. Fellows may join Seasonal (2–3 months full-time), Semester-Long (4–8 months part-time), or Year-Long (12 months full-time) tracks, with hybrid options available. Regardless of the track, Fellows act as knowledge brokers — applying research, data, strategy, and innovation to real projects that support the island’s socioeconomic transformation.

Puerto Rico’s transformation requires bold ideas, collaborative leadership, and a new generation of professionals ready to contribute. The Foundation Fellows Program provides a structured pathway for emerging leaders to step into that role, gaining invaluable experience while actively participating in the work of building a stronger, more prosperous island.

Are you interested in joining this program? Learn more about the program and apply here.

CEIBA, Puerto Rico — Members of Foundation for Puerto Rico’s Community Innovation Hub recently toured the new Ceiba Ferry Terminal, currently under construction, a transformative infrastructure project designed to improve connectivity between Puerto Rico’s main island and the Municipal Islands of Vieques and Culebra while strengthening mobility across the Eastern Region.

The new terminal will include a two-level passenger waiting area with capacity for approximately 800 passengers. It will also feature a multi-story parking structure with space for approximately 380 vehicles, as well as another parking area accommodating roughly 150 vehicles. Retail and food concessions are planned within the facility to enhance the passenger experience and create new opportunities for local economic activity.

To modernize service, operations will add four new passenger-and-vehicle vessels and one additional cargo-only vessel. The facility has been built with resilience as a priority: it includes a backup generator to ensure continuity during electrical outages and was constructed to withstand storm surges. The site was also selected to avoid areas identified by the U.S. Navy as contaminated, reinforcing long-term safety and sustainability.

The Ceiba Ferry Terminal will serve as a critical transportation hub, connecting Vieques and Culebra to the Eastern Region and facilitating greater interconnectivity with other parts of the island. Strengthening transportation infrastructure is essential to advancing regional development. Greater connectivity not only enables increased visitation—translating into stronger economic impact for businesses and communities—but also enhances quality of life for residents by expanding access to healthcare, education, employment, and essential services.

The visit aligns with the Community Innovation Hub’s mission to address more than 10 targeted challenges in Puerto Rico’s Eastern Region, including gaps in transportation and regional connectivity. Strategic investments such as the Ceiba Ferry Terminal represent meaningful progress toward building a more integrated, resilient, and opportunity-driven regional economy.

We thank David Luna, Project Manager from the Autoridad de Transporte Integrado (ATI), Architect Jessica Díaz, Contract Engineer Roberto Espada, Engineering Inspector Noel Pérez, and ATI’s Director, Josué Menéndez, for providing a tour of these innovative new facilities.

As part of Foundation for Puerto Rico’s ongoing efforts to foster sustainable development in the Eastern Region, our Community Innovation Hub continues to explore challenges that affect regional coordination. One key obstacle identified by the Hub is the lack of alignment among different levels of government and other stakeholders—a challenge that can slow progress and limit the impact of transformative initiatives.

In our latest episodes of Una Cita en el Colab, Javier De Jesús Martínez, Innovation Strategist at Foundation for Puerto Rico, sits down with the Mayors of Loíza and Canóvanas to discuss these challenges and opportunities. Mayor Julia Nazario Fuentes of Loíza and Mayor Lornna Soto of Canóvanas share examples of ongoing and upcoming initiatives that demonstrate how collaboration across municipal, regional, and state levels can drive real transformation. They also offer practical recommendations to improve coordination among leaders and stakeholders in the region.

These conversations are part of the Community Innovation Hub’s broader effort to foster collaboration, strengthen governance, and develop scalable solutions that address key challenges in the Eastern Region. By sharing these insights, we aim to inspire leaders and communities to work together toward a more coordinated and resilient future.

Promoting sustainable economic development in Puerto Rico’s Eastern Region requires open dialogue, effective partnerships, and targeted action. In line with this commitment, Foundation for Puerto Rico (FPR) met with Resident Commissioner in Washington, Pablo José Hernández Rivera, to discuss key initiatives aimed at fostering regional growth.

A central focus of the conversation was PC 862, a measure that seeks to establish the “Eastern Region Economic Development Council Act” and authorize the creation of the Eastern Region Economic Development Council, Inc. (CDERE). This organization would be dedicated to coordinating, developing, and implementing strategies for the sustainable economic transformation of the Eastern Region.

FPR extends its gratitude to Commissioner Hernández Rivera for providing this space for dialogue and supporting initiatives that promote sustainable growth. Strengthening the Eastern Region not only benefits local communities but also contributes to a more resilient, prosperous future for all of Puerto Rico. If you wish to learn more about PC 862, we invite you to read this El Nuevo Día article.

Foundation for Puerto Rico (FPR) recently met with the Asociación de Industriales de Puerto Rico to discuss strategies for economic growth and explore collaborative initiatives in the Eastern Region. These conversations emphasized the importance of aligning the Visitor Economy with the manufacturing sector, recognizing that both must work together to achieve meaningful socioeconomic transformation.

FPR extends its gratitude to the Asociación’s president, Rafael Vélez Domínguez, and vice president, Karen Mojica-Franceschi, Esq., for their time, insight, and dedication to advancing Puerto Rico’s economic development.

The discussions also highlighted the role of FPR’s upcoming Eastern Region Strategic Vision, a plan that outlines practical solutions to strengthen governance, human capital, mobility, and regional economic development.

Puerto Rico’s transformation requires the active participation of all sectors. By fostering collaboration between tourism, manufacturing, and local leadership, we can continue building a resilient, inclusive, and thriving economy in the Eastern Region and across the island.

Foundation for Puerto Rico (FPR) recently met with the Mayor of Humacao, Hon. Rosamar Trujillo Plumey, and the Mayor of Juncos, Hon. Alfredo Alejandro Carrión, to continue advancing collaborative efforts that promote the sustainable socioeconomic transformation of Puerto Rico’s Eastern Region.

As part of its mission to foster sustainable development across the archipelago, FPR has focused its efforts on the Eastern Region — an area rich in natural and cultural assets such as El Yunque National Forest, yet one that continues to face challenges in governance, mobility, and economic opportunity.

Through years of research, open forums, and conversations with experts, local leaders, and government agencies, FPR has been working to identify strategies that strengthen local governance, optimize the management of tourist attractions, promote human capital development, and improve transportation and mobility. These efforts have culminated in the forthcoming Eastern Region Strategic Vision, a comprehensive document that proposes actionable solutions to address these challenges and create a roadmap for long-term regional growth.

These meetings with municipal leaders represent an important step toward implementing that vision—exploring opportunities to establish collaborative mechanisms, propose new legislation, and develop initiatives that protect community interests while driving meaningful, sustainable change across the region.