From Community Projects to Global Impact Federico Volunteer Journey
This month, we proudly spotlight Federico Calderón, our Alumni of the Month – May 2025. Additionally, he is a current board member of Asociación Raleigh Costa Rica.
With over eight years of international experience in sustainability, climate action, and conservation, his journey is truly inspiring.
Furthermore, it shows how volunteering can act as a springboard, transforming local action into meaningful global impact.
Where His Leadership Story Began
Federico started his path in 2016 with Raleigh Nicaragua. There, he discovered the power of youth leadership and grassroots engagement.
After that, he dedicated himself full-time until 2020. During this period, he took on multiple roles in Costa Rica, including volunteer, leader, and expedition manager.
Moreover, these early years gave him firsthand experience working with rural and Indigenous communities. As a result, he strengthened his belief that sustainability must go beyond theory and become practical and inclusive.
Expanding Impact on the Global Stage
His professional experience includes collaborations with WWF UK, Climate Science, and Buro Happold. Through these projects, he leads initiatives that integrate conservation, innovation, and climate action.
Additionally, Federico recognizes that while Costa Rica is internationally admired for its green reputation, many vulnerable communities still lack basic services.
Meanwhile, in Europe, although sustainability is widely discussed, shifting deeply ingrained habits remains a challenge.
Therefore, for him, the real test is clear: making sustainability fair, accessible, and achievable for all.
Inspiring the Next Generation
Federico is convinced that young people should not carry the planet’s future on their shoulders alone. Therefore, he advocates creating genuine opportunities for youth action. In these opportunities, they can learn, experiment, and contribute meaningfully.
For example, he says: “Today, I advocate providing youth with genuine opportunities for action, without burdening them alone with the planet’s future.”
Moreover, his message to aspiring sustainability professionals is clear and powerful: seek knowledge, build connections, and join programs. Consequently, these programs allow growth as both a leader and a changemaker.
Building a Lasting Legacy
At Greentalist we celebrate Federico’s path as proof that volunteering can transform lives and careers. His story is a reminder that local action and global advocacy go hand in hand, and that empowered youth can spark lasting change.
Warm regards,
Yorle Bermúdez
Volunteer Journey Manager
