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This article addresses the socioeconomic diagnosis of the Llano de la Cruz community, within the Urracá district, carried out by the University of Panama in 2024. It seeks to identify needs in four areas: general and economic aspects, education, health and security. The main objective is to establish a critical and participatory relationship between the university and the community, fostering a link that allows transforming both society and the educational institution. The methodology used includes a descriptive and exploratory approach, with data collection through surveys and semi-structured interviews. A first approach to the community was made through awareness raising and consultations with local leaders, which facilitated the identification of key actors. A simple random sampling was applied to select 36 households, ensuring adequate representation of the population. The results of the research are analyzed based on indicators related to living conditions, access to services and levels of education. The Llano de la Cruz community faces significant challenges, such as the isolation of older adults, health problems, unemployment and poverty. Improving community participation and basic services is crucial to fostering development. This diagnosis not only seeks to highlight existing problems, but also to establish recommendations that strengthen collaboration between the university and the community. Ultimately, it is hoped that this study will serve as a basis for future interventions and projects that improve the quality of life of the inhabitants of Llano de la Cruz.
