On June 2, Dole announced new public-private partnerships to enhance its Information and Wellness Centers (CIBs), designed to provide essential services directly to farmworkers in rural Costa Rica.

The announcement was made at the forum "Information and Wellness Centres: Public and Private Sector Partnerships that Improve Lives," where Dole signed memoranda of understanding with the Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (CCSS) and Banco Popular. These partnerships reinforce Dole's commitment to inclusive development and equitable access to services.

Launched in 2020, the CIB model has revolutionised how rural workers access healthcare, social security, education, and financial resources, benefiting over 3,300 individuals across four pineapple plantations: Santa Fe, El Bosque, La Virgen, and Muelle, through collaborations with 38 public and private sector partners.

CCSS and Banco Popular play vital roles in this network:

CCSS: Provides universal healthcare and social security in Costa Rica.

Banco Popular: Focuses on financial inclusion and community development.

Rudy Amador, Dole's Regional Vice President, emphasised the importance of inter-institutional coordination in driving inclusion through the Community Investment Boards (CIBs).

The forum gathered leaders from government and business to discuss the success of the CIB model. In 2022, the program received the Grand Prize for Social Responsibility in Action from the American Chamber of Commerce of Costa Rica (AMCHAM) and has already reached 14,947 people. The event concluded with a call for collaboration across sectors to create a fairer society where access to essential services is a right for all.