La Asociación de Desarrollo Comunitario para la Prevención, Seguridad y Paz del Cantón de Aguirre, COPAZA, is an organization that arose through the initiative of the First Vice President of Costa Rica and the Minister of Justice, Laura Chinchilla, and the Vice Minister of Justice, Mayela Coto. Ms. Coto coordinates the National Violence Prevention Commission within the framework of a pilot plan to become involved in the prevention of violence and promotion of social peace, which is expected to be replicated in other parts of the country.

Originally made up of representatives from the Municipal Council of the Districts in the Canton and the Chamber of Commerce, Industry, and Tourism, and with the help of humanitarian efforts, currently we are a development association made up of 450 young people and 230 adults from diverse organizations in Aguirre.

The Ministry of Justice and COPAZA are articulating programs from diverse institutions to prevent violence and promote social peace through a working agenda they have developed together. Its pivot point is to provide cultural, sports, and job opportunities for the young people in the canton, primarily those who are at social risk, to contribute to their integral development.