-As of November, the company recorded more than 20,600 hours of corporate volunteering.
-The initiatives impacted over 6,000 people and included educational programs, support for shelters, reforestation, and beach cleanups.
-Since 2009, FIFCO has accumulated more than 1,115,000 volunteer hours.
On the occasion of International Volunteer Day, promoted by the United Nations and commemorated every December 5, FIFCO recognizes the efforts of all individuals who, with their time and energy, contribute to the country’s social and environmental well-being. The company announced that as of November 2025, it recorded 20,604 volunteer hours. With this achievement, its corporate program Elegí Ayudar has surpassed 1,115,000 accumulated hours since its creation in 2009.
This milestone reflects a year of massive mobilization: 2,486 volunteers—including employees, communities, consumers, and partners—participated in high-impact activities across the country. Actions included support for the “De Vuelta a Casa” project, beach cleanups, reforestation days, assistance in shelters, environmental education programs, and recovery of public spaces.
As highlighted by the United Nations, volunteer work is essential for global progress. Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals is impossible without people’s participation at all stages and levels. Volunteering turns individuals into part of the solution: it empowers communities to engage in their own development, facing challenges with dedication, courage, and purpose. It also fosters a culture of service that strengthens social fabric, unites generations, and drives sustainable transformations in territories.
In 2025, the actions carried out include:
- 9,720 kg of waste collected in coastal areas and rivers.
- 6,190 people directly benefited through social programs.
- 2,080 trees planted for ecological restoration.
- 300 pollinator plants implemented in community gardens.
“For us at FIFCO, the Elegí Ayudar program is a tangible way to practice conscious citizenship and create well-being where it is most needed. We firmly believe that solidarity and sustainability go hand in hand, and this volunteer program allows our employees to experience it firsthand,” said Maria Pía Robles, FIFCO’s Director of Corporate Relations.
Social and Environmental Action in Communities Across the Country
Elegí Ayudar carried out initiatives in urban and rural areas of Guanacaste, Limón, Puntarenas, Cartago, and the Central Valley. Among the most notable projects:
- Cleaning and maintenance in National Parks, including Carara, Braulio Carrillo, and Barra Honda.
- Massive beach cleanups, collecting waste and microplastics in Conchal, Camaronal, Tárcoles, Guacalillo, and Tamarindo.
- Environmental restoration through community gardens, forest nurseries, and pollinator gardens.
- Social support in children’s homes, shelters for the elderly, CENCINAI centers, and animal shelters.
- Biodiversity counts, including bird monitoring and the jabiru, the largest bird species in Central America.
- Participation in specialized projects, such as classifying more than 36,000 shells in the “De Vuelta a Casa” project.
The program integrates efforts from all company divisions, ensuring that the volunteer culture remains active throughout the year. This year’s actions are directly linked to FIFCO’s sustainability goals for 2027.
“Sustainability is not built only with large projects, but with thousands of constant actions that regenerate territories, care for people, and strengthen social cohesion. Elegí Ayudar is an example of what we can achieve when we unite energy, purpose, and community,” added Robles.
With more than 15 years of experience, FIFCO’s volunteer program continues to grow in scale and specialization, incorporating new impact methodologies and partnerships with local organizations, rescue teams, educational centers, and environmental entities. Learn more about the Elegí Ayudar program and other company projects in the 2024 Integrated Report available, under Social Strategy, Volunteering, page 206.
