Regional networks for exchange and scientific collaboration

As part of the actions promoted by the regional project ?Strengthening science and innovation policy capacities in the member countries of the Central American Integration System (SICA), the results of the regional scientific exchange and collaboration networks are presented, to culminate with the expected results in the project.
Within the project, 9 scientific collaboration networks have been formed and strengthened, being the same:

- REBAMAR, with the purpose of evaluating marine plastic litter in Central America through the formation of a regional research network.
- RED-CIED, formation of the Central American and Caribbean Network for Research in Economics and Development.
- HidroREDCA, creation of a hydrogeological research network to strengthen the preparation and resilience to extreme weather events of the populations of the Central American Dry Corridor.
- RT-LAMP, interdisciplinary network for capacity building in Central American countries for the development of a diagnostic test for proactive screening in sources of SARS-CoV-2 virus infection using technology.
- RECIEC, Central American network of research in critical extension.
- RedCMD, Central American network for the management of epidemiological data.
- RCN, network of researchers for the development of natural sciences.
- Red Free Network, articulation of actors from the academy-industry-state for the generation of economic reactivation initiatives post COVID-19 pandemic and strengthening of the innovation ecosystem in Central America.
- RIESI, regional academic network for the support of higher educational inclusion for people with disabilities and social disadvantage in the countries of the Central American and Caribbean region.

The project has been promoted by the General Secretariat of SICA, in conjunction with the Central American Higher University Council (CSUCA) and the International Development Research Center (IDRC) based in Canada, the National Secretariat of Science and Technology (SENACYT) of Guatemala as the Permanent Secretariat of the Commission for the Scientific and Technological Development of Central America and Panama (CTCAP) and the National Secretariat of Science, Technology and Innovation of Panama (SENACYT). The networks have been created and strengthened and estimate their sustainability, presenting their goals in the short, medium and long term.