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Ecuador closes leadership and entrepreneurship project in Tungurahua

09-12-2025

Fundación Humana Pueblo a Pueblo Ecuador recently celebrated the conclusion of the project ‘Promoting entrepreneurship and social, economic and cultural leadership among Kichwa women in Tungurahua’ with the presentation of certificates to participants and a tour of the production stands, where the ventures developed during the training process were exhibited.


This initiative was funded by the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), Humana and our partner in Ecuador, Fundación Humana Pueblo a Pueblo Ecuador. It also benefited from the collaboration of the Provincial Government of Tungurahua and the Ecuadorian Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, strengthening the productive, organisational and leadership capacities of Kichwa women from various communities.


Improving their quality of life

The closing event was attended by Rafael Mas, Director of Projects and External Relations at Humana, who stated: "These projects are made possible thanks to the funds we obtain from textile waste management in Spain, which then attract contributions from external donors. Specifically, we have worked over the last five years with more than 500 Kichwa families in the Ecuadorian highlands of the province of Tunghuraua, improving their quality of life. These families have always lived in precarious conditions, poverty and child malnutrition."


He added: ‘Among other achievements, the communities we have worked with are now able to export more than 5,000 guinea pigs to the United States annually, having increased the sale price by 60%.’


Local authorities highlighted the positive impact of the project, as well as the commitment of the cooperating institutions to rural development and gender equality.


In recognition of the support provided, the provincial authority presented an award to representatives of AECID and our counterpart, in gratitude for the technical assistance that has transformed the lives of the beneficiary communities.


Elena Palomar from AECID reaffirmed the importance of promoting indigenous female leadership, while one of the Kichwa leaders expressed the pride and empowerment achieved thanks to the project. The event ended by highlighting the joint commitment to continue promoting sustainable territorial development in Tungurahua.


Visit to the project

Representatives from AECID, together with technical teams from the Provincial Government of Tungurahua, the ministry and Fundación Humana Pueblo a Pueblo Ecuador, toured the projects implemented in the province.


The tour began at the Quisacuy Guinea Pig Slaughterhouse in Quisapincha, where the integration of 250 Kichwa farmers, the operation of a plant with the capacity to process 1,000 guinea pigs per day, and the application of strict safety standards and good agricultural practices were highlighted.


The day continued at the Provincial Association of Mora ASOPROCAMOR, in Tisaleo, which, thanks to the support of Spanish cooperation, has strengthened its production by installing a freezing room and making improvements to its processing plant for the production of artisanal wine, jams, syrup and nectar.

 

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