Francisco Sancho
Francisco Sancho
Economist with over 25 years of experience as researcher and analyst in economics, energy, finance, sustainable development and corporate social responsibility. Wide expertise in data-driven scenarios for strategic planning supporting decision-making by identifying key drivers, uncertainties and use of foresight techniques. Extensive consulting background managing projects for government agencies, NGOs, and international organizations. Skilled in designing financial tools, evaluating public policy frameworks, and modeling future outcomes for economic, environmental and social impact. Proven ability to lead multi-sectoral consultations and deliver strategic recommendations for national and regional development.
Founder and lead consultant at Sancho Consulting S.A., providing strategic support to national and international organizations in economic sustainability, environmental impact, and social development.
Extensive background in consulting for local institutions as Development Banking System, INCAE, MINAE, National Meteorological Institute, Central Bank of Costa Rica, ICE, RECOPE, Costa Rica Forever, Conservation International. Also in the international field as ECLAC, World Bank, IDB, CABEI, UNDP, UNEP Risoe Center, OECD.
Academic and instructional experience spans over three decades, including:
- Professor at Fundepos University (Master’s Program)
- Instructor for CLACDS-INCAE, World Bank, and CATIE in financing social and clean development projects.
Education
Title: Master of Sustainable Development and Renewable Energies and Social Responsibility
Name of Institution: Escuela Europea de Dirección y Empresa de España (EUDE)
City, Country: Madrid/ Spain
Type of Institution: University
From/To: 15-Oct-2012 / 17-Jul-2014
Degree Obtained: Master
Main Course of Study/ Field of study: Economics
Conferral Date: 16-Jul-2014
Teaching method: Virtual / Part-Time
Exact title in original language: Máster en Desarrollo Sostenible, Energías Renovables, Agenda 21 y Responsabilidad Social Corporativa
Title: Master of Applied Economics with a mention in Socioeconomic Evaluation of Projects
Name of Institution: Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
City, Country: Santiago/ Chile
Type of Institution: University
From/To: 06-Feb-1995 / 29-Nov-1996
Degree Obtained: Magister/Master
Main Course of Study/ Field of study: Economics
Conferral Date: 19-Dec-1996
Teaching method: In-person / Full-Time
Exact title in original language: Magister en Economía Aplicada con mención en Evaluación Socioeconómica de Proyectos
Title: Diploma of Specialist in Applied Macroeconomics
Name of Institution: Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
City, Country: Santiago/ Chile
Type of Institution: University
From/To: 01-jun-1995 / 29-Nov-1996
Degree Obtained: Magister/Master
Main Course of Study/ Field of study: Economics
Conferral Date: 19-Dec-1996
Teaching method: In-person / Full-Time
Exact title in original language: Diploma Especialista en Macroeconomía Aplicada
Title: Bachelor of Economics
Name of Institution: Universidad de Costa Rica
City, Country: San Jose/ Costa Rica
Type of Institution: University
From/To: 07-Mar-1988 / 26-Nov-1993
Degree Obtained: Bachelor/Bachiller
Main Course of Study/ Field of study: Economics
Conferral Date: 4-Mar-1994
Teaching method: In-person / Full-Time
Exact title in original language: Bachiller en Economía
💼 Professional Experience
Sancho Consulting S.A. Full-Time Consultant 📍 Heredia, Costa Rica | 📅 Feb 2008 – Present. Supervisor: Francisco Sancho | 📧 sancho@sanchoconsulting.com | ☎ +506 2268-4612 / +506 8319-2263
Key Achievements:
- Led formulation and financing of sustainable development projects integrating economic, environmental, and social dimensions.
- Advised national institutions including MINAE, ICE, RECOPE, Central Bank of Costa Rica, and INCAE.
- Collaborated with global organizations: World Bank, IDB, CABEI, UNDP, UNEP Risoe Center, OECD, and ECLAC.
UNEP Climate Change Division – Mitigation Unit. Consultant, GCF Carbon Markets Readiness Project & Article 6 📍 Ciudad de Panamá, Panamá | 📅 May 2024 – May 2025. Supervisor: Ana Dávila Gavilanes | 📧 ana.davilagavilanes@un.org | ☎ +507 6859-7800
Key Achievements:
- Coordinated Costa Rica’s national activities under the GCF Carbon Markets Readiness framework.
- Provided technical oversight and stakeholder engagement for Article 6 implementation.
- Delivered high-quality progress reports and ensured alignment with national climate strategies.
Universidad Fundepos. Professor, Master’s in Banking & Finance and Innovation & Sustainability 📍 San José, Costa Rica | 📅 Apr 2024 – Present. Supervisor: Luis Portuguez Hernández | 📧 archacon@imn.ac.cr | ☎ +506 4001-9254
Courses Taught:
Global Economic Development, Banking Administration, Financial Management, Investment Portfolio, International Finance, Natural Capital Exploration, and Environment & Economic Development.
Instituto Meteorológico Nacional (IMN). Consultant – GHG Emissions Projection Scenarios 📍 San José, Costa Rica | 📅 Jun 2024 – Nov 2024. Supervisor: Ana Rita Chacón Araya | 📧 archacon@imn.ac.cr | ☎ +506 2222-5616
Key Achievements:
- Modeled GHG emissions across IPCC sectors for Costa Rica through 2050.
- Developed socioeconomic scenarios and validated findings with national stakeholders.
- Integrated REDD+ and NDC 2020 data into mitigation modeling.
Instituto Meteorológico Nacional (IMN). Consultant – Biennial Transparency Report (BTR) 📍 San José, Costa Rica | 📅 Oct 2023 – Jun 2024. Supervisor: Ana Rita Chacón Araya | 📧 archacon@imn.ac.cr | ☎ +506 2222-5616
Key Achievements:
- Assessed Costa Rica’s support needs and received aid under Articles 9–11 of the Paris Agreement.
- Delivered comprehensive analysis on financing, technology transfer, and capacity-building.
CENECOOP R.L. Consultant – Evaluation of Innovation & Associative Entrepreneurship Program 📍 San José, Costa Rica | 📅 Mar 2023 – Dec 2023. Supervisor: Rodolfo Navas Alvarado | 📧 rnavas@cene.coop | ☎ +506 4002-2667
Key Achievements:
- Evaluated program design, execution, and impact on cooperative entrepreneurship.
- Provided strategic recommendations for policy alignment and program improvement.
Conservation International Foundation. Financial Consultant – Environmental Financial Instruments 📍 San José, Costa Rica | 📅 Apr 2021 – Jan 2023. Supervisor: Ana Gloria Guzmán | 📧 aguzman@conservation.org | ☎ +506 2253-0500
Key Achievements:
- Designed financial instruments for marine conservation in Costa Rica’s EEZ.
- Supported national strategy for achieving 30% marine protection by 2030.
Sistema de Banca para el Desarrollo (SBD). Development Banking System Evaluation Commission Advisor 📍 San José, Costa Rica | 📅 Jan 2021 – Oct 2022. Supervisor: Marlen Villanueva | 📧 marlene.villanueva@sbdcr.com | ☎ +506 2105-8100
Key Achievements:
- Led technical support for the Third Evaluation Report of the SBD.
- Coordinated with the Technical Secretariat and external stakeholders.
- Drafted terms of reference and conducted targeted investigations.
- Delivered final report and supported Commission sessions.
Sistema de Banca para el Desarrollo (SBD). Consultant – Evaluation of the Movable Guarantee System 📍 San José, Costa Rica | 📅 Jan 2019 – Jun 2019. Supervisor: Marlen Villanueva | 📧 marlene.villanueva@sbdcr.com | ☎ +506 2105-8100
Key Achievements:
- Assessed Law 9246 implementation and secured transaction dynamics.
- Analyzed institutional usage, enforcement, and regulatory perspectives.
- Delivered comparative analysis and policy recommendations.
INCAE Business School – CLACDS. Consultant – Economic-Financial Tool for Solid Waste Management (GIRS) 📍 Alajuela, Costa Rica | 📅 Mar 2018 – Nov 2019 . Supervisor: Ronald Arce Pérez | 📧 ronald.arce@incae.edu | ☎ +506 2437-2200
Key Achievements:
- Coordinated development of a financial tool for municipal waste management.
- Supported the National Union of Local Governments (UNGL).
INCAE Business School – CLACDS. Consultant – Water Management & Financing for VIII World Water Forum 📍 Alajuela, Costa Rica | 📅 Jul 2017 – Jan 2018. Supervisor: Ronald Arce Pérez | 📧 ronald.arce@incae.edu | ☎ +506 2437-2200
Key Achievements:
- Conducted regional analysis across SICA countries (Central America).
- Evaluated water access, pollution prevention, and financing strategies.
- Proposed inclusive policy frameworks involving NGOs and municipalities.
Economic Commission for Latin America (ECLAC). Consultant – Financial Inclusion of SMEs 📍 Santiago, Chile | 📅 Dec 2016 – Feb 2017. Supervisor: Esteban Pérez Caldentey | 📧 Esteban.PEREZ@eclac.org | ☎ +56 2 2210-2410
Key Achievements:
- Assessed SME access, usage, and quality of financial services.
- Evaluated instruments from national and regional development banks.
- Published findings with policy recommendations.
Instituto Meteorológico Nacional (IMN). Consultant – IPCC Scenario Analysis 📍 San José, Costa Rica | 📅 Mar 2016 – Nov 2016. Supervisor: Ana Rita Chacón Araya | 📧 archacon@imn.ac.cr | ☎ +506 2222-5616
Key Achievements:
- Developed VCR scenarios for Costa Rica’s climate future.
- Contributed to the IPCC Biennial Update Report for UNFCCC.
Sistema de Banca para el Desarrollo (SBD). Evaluation Commission Advisor – Second Report 📍 San José, Costa Rica | 📅 Jul 2015 – Nov 2016. Supervisor: Marlen Villanueva | 📧 marlene.villanueva@sbdcr.com | ☎ +506 2105-8100
Key Achievements:
- Supported the Commission in drafting and finalizing the Second Report.
- Conducted research and coordinated with the Technical Secretariat.
- Participated in stakeholder meetings and external data collection.
Conservation International Foundation. Consultant – Costing Tools for Protected Area Management 📍 San José, Costa Rica | 📅 Oct 2015 – Nov 2017. Supervisor: Ana Gloria Guzmán | 📧 aguzman@conservation.org | ☎ +506 2253-0500
Key Achievements:
- Developed and validated a financial tool to assess management plan costs and funding gaps in marine protected areas (MPAs).
- Conducted stakeholder workshops and field evaluations in pilot conservation zones.
- Authored a procedures manual for SINAC and partners to apply the tool in budgeting and planning.
- Proposed alternative financial mechanisms to reduce funding gaps in MPA management.
ACORDE. Consultant – Financing System for SMEs 📍 San José, Costa Rica | 📅 Jul 2014 – Dec 2015. Supervisor: Edwin Trejos Zúñiga | 📧 etrejos@acorde.or.cr | ☎ +506 2256-4901
Key Achievements:
- Conducted market research to estimate demand for sustainable financing among MSMEs.
- Designed financial products tailored to development-focused SME needs.
Conservation International Foundation. Consultant – Financial Needs Assessment for Marine Protected Areas (ACT, ACOSA, ACMIC) 📍 San José, Costa Rica | 📅 Jan 2014 – Apr 2014. Supervisor: Ana Gloria Guzmán | 📧 aguzman@conservation.org | ☎ +506 2253-0500
Key Achievements:
- Evaluated current and optimal budget requirements for protected areas.
- Identified funding sources and gaps across SINAC and external cooperation agencies.
- Proposed multi-year financing programs to support effective MPA management.
MINAE – Ministry of Environment and Energy. Consultant – Roadmap for Low-Emission Public Transport Technologies 📍 San José, Costa Rica | 📅 Jul 2013 – Feb 2014. Supervisor: William Alpizar Zúñiga | 📧 william.alpizar.zuniga@gmail.com | ☎ +506 2106-8530
Key Achievements:
- Facilitated sectoral consultations to develop a long-term roadmap for clean transport technologies.
- Proposed integrated programs combining high-efficiency combustion and zero-emission alternatives.
MINAE – Ministry of Environment and Energy. Consultant – Market Readiness Proposal (PMR) 📍 San José, Costa Rica | 📅 Jul 2011 – Mar 2014. Supervisor: William Alpizar Zúñiga | 📧 william.alpizar.zuniga@gmail.com | ☎ +506 2106-8530
Key Achievements:
- Led consultations across transport, energy, forestry, and waste sectors.
- Identified mitigation projects and sectoral compensation programs aligned with NAMAs.
MINAE – Ministry of Environment and Energy. Consultant – GHG Emissions Reduction Options (2015–2050) 📍 San José, Costa Rica | 📅 Jul 2011 – Mar 2014. Supervisor: William Alpizar Zúñiga | 📧 william.alpizar.zuniga@gmail.com | ☎ +506 2106-8530
Key Achievements:
- Modeled sectoral emissions trends and mitigation potentials.
- Estimated abatement costs and financing needs for national climate strategies.
Sistema de Banca para el Desarrollo (SBD). Evaluation Commission Advisor – First Report 📍 San José, Costa Rica | 📅 Jul 2011 – Mar 2012. Supervisor: Marlen Villanueva | 📧 marlene.villanueva@sbdcr.com | ☎ +506 2105-8100
Key Achievements:
- Provided technical support for the First Evaluation Report of the SBD.
- Liaised with the Technical Secretariat and coordinated external research.
- Drafted terms of reference and conducted targeted investigations.
- Supported report preparation and stakeholder engagement.
MINAE – Ministry of Environment and Energy. Consultant – Technology Needs Assessment 📍 San José, Costa Rica | 📅 Oct 2010 – Jun 2011 Supervisor: William Alpizar Zúñiga | 📧 william.alpizar.zuniga@gmail.com | ☎ +506 8526-4972
Key Achievements:
- Led stakeholder consultations to identify barriers to technology adoption.
- Developed strategies for technology transfer and climate mitigation.
- Proposed enabling frameworks for GHG reduction and climate resilience.
Ecoanálisis Consultores Económicos y Financieros
Economic & Financial Research Analyst 📍 Santa Ana, Costa Rica | 📅 Jun 2009 – Jul 2009 Supervisor: Julio Rosales | 📧 jrosales@ecoanalisis.co.cr | ☎ +506 2291-7600
Key Achievements:
- Designed training and coaching frameworks for financial product development.
- Conducted market segmentation and CRM strategy analysis.
- Identified consulting opportunities and staff development models.
INCAE Business School – CLACDS
Consultant – Electricity Sector Modernization Project 📍 Alajuela, Costa Rica | 📅 Sep 2007 – Jan 2008 Supervisor: René Castro Salazar | 📧 rene.castro@incae.edu | ☎ +506 2437-2200
Key Achievements:
- Analyzed electricity market structures in Latin America and Europe.
- Developed institutional and legal databases for comparative analysis.
- Supported segmentation modeling across the energy value chain.
Outsourcing Administrativo S.A. Market & Data Analyst 📍 Santa Ana, Costa Rica | 📅 Aug 2007 – Mar 2008. Supervisor: David Chacón | 📧 david.chacon@outsourcing.com | ☎ +506 2282-3240
Key Achievements:
- Conducted data mining and market analysis for client segmentation.
- Built marketing databases and customer behavior models.
- Developed promotional campaign evaluation tools.
Company Interfin_Banex Pensions Funds. 📍 San José, Costa Rica | 📅 Aug-2004 to Dec-2005. Supervisor: Mario Álvarez Hernández. | 📧 Malvarezh88@gmail.com | ☎ +506 7113-8702
Key Achievements:
- Financial product development and marketing.
Ministry of Economy, Industry and Commerce (MEIC). 📍 San José, Costa Rica | 📅 Nov-2002 to May-2004. Supervisor: Mario Luis Carlos Hernández Gutiérrez. | 📧 Luis.Hernandez@walmart.com | ☎ +506 7113-8702
Key Achievements:
- Director of the Department of Economic Studies.