Logo for InfluenceWatch InfluenceWatch

Donate
Other Group

Democracy Lab Foundation

Website:

www.demolabcr.org/
Type:

Democratic Advocacy Group
Formation:

2015
Location:

San Jose, Costa Rica

Contact InfluenceWatch with suggested edits or tips for additional profiles.

Democracy Lab Foundation, also known DemoLab, is an advocacy group based in Costa Rica 1 that claims it wants to see Costa Rica become “the freest and most prosperous democracy in Latin America.” 2 DemoLab also advocates in favor of securing democratic institutions within the country while creating models for the region. 1

Background

Democracy Lab Foundation, also known as DemoLab, is an advocacy organization based in Costa Rica that advocates for preserving democratic institutions and frameworks within the country.  2 The group claims it seeks to have Costa Rica become “the freest and most prosperous democracy in Latin America.” 2  It further alleges that its mission is also to “revitalize democracy and protect individual freedoms in Costa Rica and Latin America through active citizen engagement.” 2

DemoLab claims to develop programs and tools meant to increase access to information and decision-making for individuals within the country while promoting critical thinking amongst the country’s youth. In addition, it advocates for increased community involvement, leadership roles, contributions to the local economy, active civic discourse, and voter participation. 1

Research

DemoLab claims to data analysis develop solutions to preserving democratic frameworks within Costa Rica while sharing the research and findings on an international scale. 1 The group claims that only 20% of world’s population live in “a free country,” which it defines by democratic freedoms to speak, write, associate, worship, marry, and work. 3

The group cites research nonprofit  Latinobarometro in a report claiming that support for democracy and democratic frameworks has decreased in Costa Rica from 67% in 2020 to 56% in 2023. In addition, the group cited the same source to claim that support for authoritarian-like systems has risen in the country from 11% to 16% in that same period. 4

The group says it wants to counter the appeal of authoritarianism and extremism among young people. It uses arts, music, and technology to provide alternatives for youths in at-risk communities and to combat the influence of organized crime. 4

Projects

The Democracy Lab Foundation claims to operate over 20 advocacy projects, with 20 partners in seven communities that interact with roughly 25,000 individuals. 3

Citizen Leadership Academy was created to provide educational materials and sources claiming to address what it considers a “disillusionment” and lack of trust in institutions and leaders. 5

The Innovation Lab, also known as the “Fab-Tank,” is a data-driven project claiming to use information to create new democratic approaches to “civic participation.” 6

The Knowledge Hub is considered the group’s think tank for researching and promoting democratic values through education and advocacy. 6 In addition, a separate “Action Tank” helps develop and promote community workshops, forums, and interactive events. 6

Citizen Observatory claims to advocate and promote practices meant to increase transparency in local and national governments in Costa Rica as well as other Latin American countries. 7

The Freedom Curriculum is a digital platform that argues for promoting democratic principles such as property rights, freedom of speech, political freedom, rule of law and limited government. 7

The organization also sponsors the annual BLISS Summit in Costa Rica that convenes local and international pro-democracy advocates. The group has previously claimed that as of 2024, only 1% percent of philanthropy raised in the United States is focused on promoting democracy abroad. 8 Several members of the BLISS Summit include Enes Kanter Freedom, NBA player and founder of the Abrahamic Athletic Academy; Keren Yarhi-Milo, the dean of the School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University; Rachel Rield, director of the Center on Global Democracy and professor at Cornell University; Damon Wilson, president of the National Endowment for Democracy; former President of Colombia Ivan Duque Marquez; and former President of Costa Rican Laura Chinchilla. 8

Leadership

Alvaro Salas-Castro is the co-founder of the Democracy Lab Foundation as well as the chairman of the board. 9 Salas-Castro is also the president and CEO of the Reynolds Foundation. He previously served as a senior management consultant and formerly worked in advisory roles for government agencies, academic institutions, and corporations. He is also the leader of strategy at K Squared Capital as of 2024. 10

Andres Bruna is a co-founder and board member of the Democracy Lab Foundation. He is an entrepreneur associated with the Bruna Group. 11

Tim Reynolds is the vice chairman of the board for the Democracy Lab Foundation. 9 Reynolds is also the chairman and founder of the Reynolds Foundation. He is the co-founder of Jane Street Capital. 10

Celine Assaf-Boustani is a board member of DemoLab. She is the president of the Human Rights Foundation. 11

Roberto Artavia is a board member of DemoLab. He is the founder of Roberto Artavia Consultoria Internacional. 12

Gabriel Baeza is a board member of DemoLab. He has previously collaborated with startup groups and global corporations. 13

Stephanie Lips is a board member and a philanthropy advisor for DemoLab. She is also a philanthropy advisor for Donors Trust. 11

Thomas O´Toole is a board member. He is the executive director of public affairs programming at Cornell University‘s Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy. 11

References

  1. “Democracy Lab Foundation.” LinkedIn. Accessed October 16, 2024. https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-democracy-lab/
  2. Democracy Lab Foundation. Accessed October 16, 2024. https://www.demolabcr.org/
  3. “Our Impact So Far.” Democracy Lab Foundation. Accessed October 16, 2024. https://www.demolabcr.org/
  4. “Local Context.” Democracy Lab Foundation.” Accessed October 16, 2024. https://www.demolabcr.org/
  5.  “DemoLab – Democracy Lab.” Amigos for Costa Rica. Accessed October 16, 2024. https://www.amigosofcostarica.org/affiliates/democracy-lab
  6. “Description Pillars.” Democracy Lab Foundation. Accessed October 16, 2024. https://www.demolabcr.org/description-pillars
  7.  “Innovation Lab.” Democracy Lab Foundation. Accessed October 16, 2024. https://www.demolabcr.org/innovation-lab
  8. “Engagement Platforms.” Democracy Lab Foundation. Accessed October 16, 2024. https://www.demolabcr.org/engagement-platforms
  9. “Team.” Democracy Lab Foundation. Accessed October 16, 2024. https://www.demolabcr.org/team
  10. “About.” The Reynolds Foundation. Accessed October 5, 2024. https://www.reynoldsfoundation.com/thefoundation
  11. Newsletter. Democracy Lab Foundation. Accessed October 16, 2024. https://www.demolabcr.org/newsletter-09
  12. “Robert Artavia.” Democracy Lab Foundation. Accessed October 16, 2024. https://www.demolabcr.org/roberto-artavia
  13.  “Gabriel Baeza.” Democracy Lab Foundation. Accessed October 16, 2024. https://www.demolabcr.org/gabriel-baeza
  See an error? Let us know!