In March 2026, members and partners of TIPC’s Latin American and Caribbean Transformative Innovation Hub and from the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research in South Africa, visited Panama for an engaging week of learning, reflection and dialogue focused on how to address the challenges of transformations in urban waste management and the circular economy.
The event marked an important step in strengthening the network of actors engaged in TIP practices in Latin America and South Africa, and in developing a shared methodological approach to support circular economy transitions in Global South cities.
Building on the initial visit to South Africa in December 2025, the Panama visit further explored how the transitions from linear to circular economies are being shaped by complex urban and rural contexts, as well as social and institutional challenges across cities in the Global South. It extended earlier analysis and facilitated mutual learning among participants with experience across different sectors and regions, strengthening South-South collaboration.
Researchers from the University of Sussex, Matias Ramirez, Chux Daniels, Rob Byrne and Claudia Obando, and CSIR, Suzane Oelofse and Tinashe Dube, discussed common problems and possible solutions based on their insights from the South Africa and Latin America experience. The event programme provided an opportunity to engage with a range of organisations across Panama’s circular economy ecosystem, including:
- Recimetal, a family-owned company focused on the responsible management, recovery and reuse of materials.
- FAS Panamá, a non-profit organization, driving initiatives that improve quality of life and environment conditions, and local capacity building.
- REMAR, a non-profit organisation supporting individuals in vulnerable situations; in collaboration with Trashforma, it combines recycling activities with social support and integration.
- Afluena Oil, an industrial-scale facility transforming used lubricating oil into reusable base oils.
- Leafsinc/Ecospot, an initiative promoting sustainable consumption through refill systems and alternatives to single-use plastics.
During the visit, participants also saw practical work from and heard of the experiences of four transformative projects in Panama supported by the Panama National Science and Technology Agency, SENACYT and TIPC, and funded by the Inter-American Development Bank.
These initiatives apply Transformative Innovation Policy (TIP) approaches in practice, addressing rural mobility, and regeneration of urban neighbourhoods through new transport hubs and peri-urban development. One of these projects is working to shift the transport system’s priorities away from freight and individualised road transports towards safer and more inclusive alternatives centred on walking and cycling.
Two projects based in the poor neighbourhoods of San Miguelito are working on systemic challenges to waste accumulation and informal recycling and looking to regenerate neighbourhoods in an inclusive manner. A fourth project in a peri-urban neighbourhood is attempting to introduce sustainable ways of managing an influx of mass tourism without damaging the local environment.
About the event
The gathering was hosted by Kalimera, a leadership and organisational development initiative, and organised in collaboration with TIPC, the University of Sussex, Fundación SEED, a Latin American non-profit organisation; CiiECYT AIP, a Panamanian research and innovation centre; and ITSE Panama, a public technical higher education institution.
Many thanks to Kalimera and its founder Susan Williams, who expertly facilitated the event that will help to establish future impactful collaboration.