Received this MOU from Arturo on behalf of UCI for our review and acceptance.
Please provide your comments and any concerns this week, I’m quite pleased with this opportunity to partner with this esteemed institution here in Costa Rica with the purpose of bridging our experience and wisdom bioregionally across the North and South.
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)
Between
Asociacion Puente Diamante Colectiva (APDC)
and
University for International Cooperation (UCI)
1. Purpose
This Memorandum of Understanding (“MoU”) establishes the intention of the Asociacion Puente Diamante Colectiva (APDC) and the University for International Cooperation (UCI) (individually, a “Party”; collectively, the “Parties”) to form a strategic alliance oriented toward mutual benefit, regenerative values, open collaboration, and shared commitment to territorial and global impact.
This document serves as a non-binding framework for cooperation, guiding joint actions, co-creation of projects, and the exchange of capacities and knowledge.
2. Guiding Principles
The Parties agree to guide their collaboration according to the following principles:
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Reciprocity, equity, and shared benefit
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Transparency, open communication, and informed consent
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Recognition of prior knowledge, methodologies, and intellectual authorship
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Commitment to continuous learning, regeneration, and bioregional development
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Respect for cultural and territorial diversity
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Ethical use of data, technical interoperability, and digital sovereignty
3. Areas of Collaboration
3.1 Knowledge and Content Co-Creation
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Joint design and development of courses, workshops, certifications, publications, and educational materials.
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Collaborative production of digital and audiovisual content (guides, podcasts, videos, technical documentation, etc.).
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Sharing pedagogical, technological, and communications tools.
3.2 Territorial and Regenerative Projects
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Integration of ERA’s approaches and initiatives into University for International Cooperation’s Initiative the Mycelium Learning Network Land Node ecosystem.
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Co-design of a shared onboarding protocol for regenerative land nodes.
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Collaboration in the design, implementation, and documentation of demonstration projects and pilot sites worldwide.
3.3 Visibility, Communication, and Positioning
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Cross-promotion of activities, content, and events through digital platforms, newsletters, and community spaces.
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Shared use of logos, acknowledgments, and institutional presence, in line with each Party’s branding guidelines.
3.4 Resource Mobilization
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Joint identification of funding opportunities, investments, technical cooperation, and donations.
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Collaborative preparation of proposals and implementation models.
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Mutual representation in strategic alliances where appropriate.
3.5 Capacity Development
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Exchange of technical knowledge, methodologies, and internal processes.
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Participation in training spaces, peer learning, and living labs.
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Mutual support in organizational, educational, and technological strengthening.
3.6 Regenerative Ecosystem Development
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Co-organization of events at local, regional, and international scales.
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Promotion of South-South collaboration and interregional dialogues.
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Joint ecosystem mapping and matchmaking between land stewards, funders, and innovators.
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Development of open frameworks for distributed governance, monitoring, and reporting.
4. Recognition of Intellectual Contributions
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All joint outputs will properly acknowledge the contributions of each Party.
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When methodologies, knowledge, or content developed prior to this MoU are used, the original authorship must be cited.
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Publication, use, or distribution of shared materials requires prior consent, unless expressly agreed otherwise in writing.
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For co-created projects, rights and use will be clearly defined by both Parties, favoring open licenses where feasible.
5. Conflict Resolution
In the event of disagreements, the Parties commit to:
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Seek resolution through direct, transparent, and respectful dialogue within 15 business days.
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If unresolved, engage a mutually agreed neutral mediator with relevant expertise in regenerative practices.
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Clearly document any outcomes of the mediation process.
This process does not limit either Party’s right to terminate the MoU under the following clause.
6. Duration, Modification, and Termination
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This MoU will remain in effect for an initial period of two (2) years from the date of signing.
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It may be modified at any time through written agreement of both Parties.
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Either Party may terminate the MoU with thirty (30) days’ written notice.
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Termination does not affect commitments already undertaken unless otherwise agreed.
7. Nature of the Agreement
This MoU is not legally binding and does not create legal obligations. It is intended as a framework to facilitate collaboration and articulate shared intentions. Specific agreements (contracts, licenses, service agreements, etc.) shall be formalized separately if required.
8. Success Fees for Resource Facilitation
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The Parties acknowledge the strategic value of facilitating contacts, opportunities, and funding for shared projects.
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Where one Party directly facilitates resources or funding for the other Party, and such funding materializes, a success fee of between 3% and 20% of the awarded amount may be established, depending on the level of involvement.
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The exact percentage will be agreed upon in writing prior to the submission of proposals or fundraising efforts.
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Both Parties commit to transparent communication about financial outcomes and to honoring such agreements fairly and ethically.
9. Points of Contact
Diamante Bridge Collective (DBC)
Contact: Danielle Gennety, President
Email: o.danibelle@gmail.com
University for International Cooperation (UCI)
Contact: Eduard Muller, Director
Email: emuller@uci.ac.cr
10. Signatures
Signed in good faith and in recognition of the shared principles of this Memorandum of Understanding:
Asociacion Puente Diamante Colectiva (APDC)
Signature:
Name:
Title: President
Date:
For University for International Cooperation (UCI)
Signature:
Name:
Title: Director
Date: