Panama, located at the intersection of North and South America, is famously known as the “bridge of the world”. This also reflects its iconic Panama Canal, a marvel of engineering that benefits global trade by dramatically shortening maritime routes. Panama, renowned for its rich biodiversity, is a hotspot for scientific research and home to numerous endemic plant and animal species.
While Panama is considered the most developed and wealthiest country in Central America, inequality remains a significant issue. Many communities face extreme poverty, and access to quality education is a persistent challenge. Additionally, Panama’s incredible biodiversity is under threat from rapid development and deforestation, driven by increasing investment.
In Panama, FutureSense Foundation primarily work in two areas. In El Valle de Antón, we collaborate with three partner schools to improve education and create meaningful opportunities for growth and support the local recycling centre in the community. We also work in The Azuero Peninsular, where our efforts are concentrated on collaborating with local organisations to support large-scale reforestation efforts and protecting the sea turtles that nest along its shore.
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Life Expectancy
While steps have been taken in recent years to narrow the gap between affluent and underserved communities, much of the development and investment—and consequently, prosperity—remains concentrated in Panama City and its surrounding areas. Outside the capital, the country is predominantly rural and often lacks the infrastructure and resources available in urban centers.
The disparity forces many people to migrate to the city in search of better opportunities, leaving rural communities at a disadvantage. In some cases, economic support and development initiatives fail to reach these remote regions, further widening the inequality gap.
While the Panama hub is looking to broaden our focus areas, our programmes currently focus on providing quality education, promoting biodiversity, and addressing the impacts of climate change, when it comes to achieving Sustainable Development Goals set out by the United Nations.
Conversational English & Cultural Exchange
Through our Education programme we focus on teaching English to approximately 1,650 students across 4 partner schools, to provide them with valuable skills that opens a door to greater opportunities. Our approach combines language learning with cultural exchange to broaden students’ horizons. Through hands-on workshops, we aim to break the traditional education system by enhancing teamwork, problem-solving, and creative thinking skills, while promoting environmental conservation. Lessons focus on recycling, tree protection, and reforestation, fostering sustainable lifestyles and preserving Panama’s biodiversity.
The Azuero Peninsula is one of Panama’s hottest regions due to deforestation for livestock farming. In collaboration with local foundations, we aim to create a biological corridor of trees, using the Azuero spider monkey (an endemic species of the region) as a symbol, to support wildlife movement and conservation. In 2024, we planted over 15,000 trees in partnership with private landowners, who are committed to caring for these new forests.
In Anton Valley, we support the local recycling center and raise community awareness about recycling and reuse. Through workshops using recyclable materials, we promote sustainable practices and environmental awareness in the local population.
Through our Livelihood programme we aim to introduce locals to income-generating opportunities within their own communities rather than just in the city, primarily through sustainable tourism. We equip local residents with the necessary skills to develop sustainable tourism ventures, offering them the chance to thrive in their own communities.
In Isla Cañas, we work to replace turtle egg sales with conservation efforts. By promoting conservation and responsible tourism, we help the community protect turtles while generating sustainable income.
“Panama is a country of stunning natural beauty, from pristine beaches to mountains offering views of both Pacific and Caribbean. Yet, its greatest treasure is its people—warm, charismatic, and proud of their culture. However, inequality and corruption pose significant challenges, especially in rural areas where access to education and basic services is limited. Our programmes aim to bridge these gaps by fostering creativity, English language learning, cultural exchange and environmental awareness. We inspire communities to protect their ecosystems and equip them with tools for sustainable development, empowering them to create opportunities within their communities while preserving Panama’s incredible natural heritage.”
Panama Country Manager
© 2024-2025 Futuresense Foundation® | Develop by Mahbub Alam
