With the support of Flexible Funds, Prof. Manuel Santos Silva was able to welcome three visiting scholars from Costa Rica for a short stay at Freie Universität Berlin in 2024. The group consisted of two professors of the Universidad de Costa Rica (UCR) and one practitioner at the interface of research and politics. Additionally, one researcher from the Universität Groningen joined the team. The goal of the visit was the strengthening of cooperations between research institutions in Costa Rica and Freie Universität Berlin and the creation of a new regional research alliance.

During the one-week stay, the researchers worked intensively on joint projects: They developed a joint research idea in a workshop and prepared a funding application. Additionally, the guests gave a lecture in the MA course Interdisciplinary Latin American Studies which was received very well by the students as it offered interesting insights into the practicalities of knowledge transfer and the question of how to integrate scientific discoveries into policymaking and what obstacles are to be overcome in this process. The guests were also available for questions in open office hours, for example to discuss possible master’s theses.

The personal exchange was especially valuable for the joint project development as the multiple days of in-person teamwork facilitated intensive brainstorming and focused discussion. The research project developed in Berlin was presented a few months later at a conference in Costa Rica and sparked a lot of interest. At the moment, two research articles are in the final stages of preparation for submission at scientific journals. The flexible funds therefore facilitated not only the deepening of existing relationships but also the development of new joint research projects and long-term cooperation. At the same time, the exchange strengthens the international network of Freie Universität Berlin and opens up new perspectives for future research and teaching.