An official website of the United States government
Official websites use .gov
A
.gov website belongs to an official government
organization in the United States.
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A
lock (
) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to
the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official,
secure websites.
Search
Connect with the Peace Corps
If you're ready for something bigger, we have a place where you belong.
Apply to the Peace Corps
The application process begins by selecting a service model and finding an open position.
Let us help you find the right position.
If you are flexible in where you serve for the two-year Peace Corps Volunteer program, our experts can match you with a position and country based on your experience and preferences.
Serve where you’re needed mostEntrepreneurship and Small Business Advisor
Agriculture
Community Economic Development
Job highlights
- Gain hands-on experience in community-based marketing, business planning, and value-added production alongside rural youth organizations.
- Develop transferrable skills in facilitation, project design, and participatory training.
- Build meaningful relationships with youth in Panama’s rural communities while experiencing the country's rich culture and traditions.
Panama • North America
In partnership with: Ministry of Agricultural Development, Department of Rural Development
Get answers live — every weekday at .
Apply by
October 15, 2026Know by
December 1, 2026Depart on
May 9, 2027Duration
12 monthsAbout the project
Calling all entrepreneurship enthusiasts and aspiring youth‑leadership facilitators! Panama’s Ministry of Agricultural Development (MIDA) is seeking support to strengthen rural and Indigenous youth organizations interested in expanding their capacity to market and sell agricultural products.
Across the Veraguas province, rural and Indigenous youth face limited economic opportunities and significant barriers to entering local markets. Many communities depend on agriculture, yet young producers often lack the organizational skills, marketing knowledge, and confidence needed to commercialize their products. Recognizing this challenge, MIDA has identified youth integration into productive rural economies as a national priority. Through its Department of Rural Development, MIDA aims to bridge this gap by organizing youth groups, encouraging entrepreneurship, and promoting projects such as agro‑tourism, agro‑industry, food production, crafts, and cultural preservation.
As the Entrepreneurship and Small Business Advisor, you will collaborate with rural youth organizations to strengthen their marketing and ultimately increase profitability. In the short term, youth will gain practical skills to organize, plan, and promote their products more effectively. In the long term, these strengthened youth groups can boost local economies, create sustainable livelihood opportunities, and contribute to greater community stability by supporting young people to build viable futures in their own regions. Your supportive role will enable the next generation of leaders, contributing to long‑term economic resilience in Veraguas province and across Panama.
Learn more about what Volunteers do in country by visiting our Panama project page.
Required skills
Qualified candidates will have the following criteria:
Bachelor's degree in business, administration, marketing, entrepreneurship, or business education.
AND
Two or more years of experience working at a startup/social enterprise or running a small business.
Language: Spanish
A. Completed 4 years of high school Spanish coursework in the past 8 years
B. Completed college-level Elementary II Spanish semester (Elementary III in quarter system) within the past 6 years
C. Score between 50-62 on the Spanish College Level Examination Program (CLEP) exam in the past 6 years
D. Score Novice-High or Intermediate-Low on official American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) in Spanish within the past 6 years
Required behavioral competencies
These competencies are essential for all service assignments and are assessed in the application and interview process:
Motivation for and commitment to service
Adaptability and open-mindedness
Problem solving and resourcefulness
Behavioral maturity and professionalism
Photos from Panama
How you and the community will make an impact together:
Identify strengths, challenges, and training needs with local youth organizations.
Develop a work plan with MIDA staff outlining goals, tasks, and marketing activities.
Create a training plan focused on improving production, marketing, and value-added skills.
Facilitate workshops that build youth capacity in leadership, organization, and basic business skills.
Guide youth groups as they plan and practice marketing and value-added activities for their products
Support youth organizations in connecting with local, district, and provincial markets.
Assist groups in organizing small fairs or promotional events to sell their agricultural products.
Monitor and evaluate progress with partner institutions to strengthen long-term sustainability.
You may also work on additional projects that meet the community’s interests and priorities, such as supporting local cooperatives and helping to organize agricultural fairs.
The Volunteer will live in the city of Santiago, which has a population of approximately 100,000 and is the capital of Veraguas province. The Volunteer can expect to live in independent housing throughout their service with regular cellular service, electricity, and water (although the reliability of these utilities may vary). Houses often feature concrete walls, tile floors, and a corrugated tin roof. Public transportation is available to get around the city.
Learn more about the living conditions, including detailed information on culture, communications, housing, and health/crime statistics on our Panama country page. You can also delve into stories about local communities by reading our blog or Volunteer stories.
Meet a Volunteer in Panama
Yadariselt R.
Sustainable Agriculture Extension Promoter
"This experience has been so transformative because there is so much power and joy in the collective. After 10 months at my site, I can confidently say that I have formed lifelong friendships."
See full Volunteer profile
After a 2-week orientation on topics such as health and safety, intercultural communication, Peace Corps’ approach to development, and Panamanian work culture, you will move to an urban community where you will collaborate with staff at MIDA to assess the local needs and develop a work plan in line with their established goals.
Peace Corps/Panama will equip you with Spanish language resources and you may work with a local tutor who can help you improve your language skills.
To learn more about serving as a couple in Panama, visit the country page.
Application process
From application to departure takes around nine months. Learn about the application process for Volunteer opportunities.
Medical/legal clearance
You will need to be cleared medically and legally in order to serve in Panama. Review information on medical clearance and legal clearance to learn about the process.
