FONPLATA — Development Bank supports the Binational Technology Park of Santana do Livramento (Brazil) and Rivera (Uruguay), a strategic initiative for regional integration. This innovative project seeks to turn the border into a seedbed of knowledge, sustainability, and scientific cooperation.

Aiming at advancing in the design of the project, a technical workshop was held on June 11 and 12, gathering key players from the academic, institutional, and territorial spheres, including Carolina Vera, MERCOSUR Regional Coordinator and Uruguay Country Coordinator for FONPLATA.

In this structuring phase, FONPLATA is providing technical support and considers the possibility of financing the engineering studies required for the construction of the Park and its submission to FOCEM.

The initiative is led by the Federal University of Pampa (UNIPAMPA), with the support of the Technological University of Uruguay (UTEC), the University of the Republic of Uruguay (UDELAR), the State University of Rio Grande do Sul (UERGS), the Sul-Rio-Grandense Federal Institute of Education, Science, and Technology (IFSUL), the Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM), and the municipal governments of Santana do Livramento and Rivera. The Area B Binational Innovation Ecosystem—comprising companies, networks, and organized civil society—also plays an active role in the project. In addition, the initiative benefits from the strategic support of Brazil’s Ministries of Integration and Regional Development and of Planning and Budget, as well as of the Secretariat of Innovation, Science and Technology of the State of Rio Grande do Sul.

The project aims at the following key results: strengthening bi-national cooperation among universities, governments, and research centers; training of young people; generating qualified employment; developing technological solutions to climate and production challenges; and creating a territorial innovation ecosystem with regional impact.

FONPLATA reaffirms its commitment to the development of borders as spaces of opportunity, integration, and transformation.

06/13/2025