www.fecd.org.ec
Human development with Focusing 05. Introduction Econ. Abelardo Pachano 06. Joining Forces for a More Human Development William Hernández 07. FECD and the New Model of Human Development
Working from the Felt Sense in Each Region 11. Productive Frontiers, Contributing to Sustainable Development through Human Development 15. Cocoa with a Sense of Well-Being in Esmeraldas 19. In the Province of Los Ríos, the Cocoa Grows Strong with the Felt Work of the People 23. Focusing on their Felt Sense, the People of Loja Produce the Best High-Altitude Coffee 27. Women and Non-Violent Communication in Chimborazo, Listening to Ourselves by Way of the Pause
Contents Ecological and Community Tourism 33. Imbabura is Community Tourism 37. Community Tourism in the Amazon Region, a Sustainable Development Opportunity
Women and Children, Growth and Equity 43. Life without Violence in 2010 47. Improving Education and Productivity in Rural Areas with Computers
Producing for Development 51. How Milk has Provided for Community Development in Carchi by Building on a Strengthened Organization 55. Cocoa with an Aroma of the Amazon in Sucumbíos 58. Auditors’ Report
Introduction In year 2010 we focused our efforts on consolidating our human development and creative leadership model, a consequence of the practice of attentive and respectful listening promoted by Focusing. We also successfully explored a self-management system based on recognizing creative levels of self-esteem, the basis of tackling some of poverty’s deep-seated roots. Slowly but surely we have been applying the practice of listening in all the areas in which we have been working, and the results are now becoming apparent. Because we firmly believe in the potential of the people, we encourage the leaders, technicians and small producers to work with us based on what each one feels, thereby allowing their full capacity to flow. Releasing this productivity and creativity nourishes our labor and brings forth new lines of action that, in turn, foment integrated development proposals. Rather than merely providing access to material aspects, we seek to expand each individual’s range of perception and boundaries as a means of opening up a new vision of life. Although demanding, the task has been fructiferous; many workshops have been held involving many people and all focused on the bodily felt of each producer, technician as well as the other players. The results began to flourish from the creativity of each person. The response of the people in those projects undertaken within the human development framework with Focusing, such as cocoa in RĂo Verde and Buena Fe, coffee in Loja, and the project we have initiated in Chimborazo to promote non-violent communication with women have convinced us that we are on the right track, pausing along the way to feel each action, towards the targets we have set ourselves. Each and every one of our partners and people is capable of discovering a new internal space from which creativity can flourish, enabling them to tackle each challenge from a different perspective. By focusing on what each individual feels, we are set to embark on this journey, endeavoring to improve the living conditions of the most vulnerable groups.
Econ. Abelardo Pachano President of the Board of Directors of FECD
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Joining Forces for a More Human Development For FECD, year 2010 has been marked by changes and initiatives. It has been a period in which we have striven towards a new social development model based on human development and creative leadership. Founded on the concept of integrated alternatives, the model seeks to tackle poverty in all its facets, but particularly in the way individuals see, assume and live this condition. This model, based on the felt sense of the people, is the base on which FECD has constructed its development strategies for both the present and the future. We are firmly convinced that combating poverty requires not only the best materials and but also, and principally, a number of elements internal to each human being: self-knowledge, self-esteem and the way one relates to others and the environment. This process, focused on life, arises from what each individual feels, the bodily felt of the development actors with whom we work, when they are able to find a space in which to see and attend to themselves. This, we believe, is the path towards the selfsustainability of development processes since it generates a commitment from each human being to the change processes emerging from their own authenticity. Our work has been geared towards making each person’s awareness of their bodily felt a simple, accessible and replicable process. This approach is the bridge leading to better living conditions and that arises from a component that is both simple and complex: learning to generate a space to pause in which people can listen to themselves and then to others. The individual’s vision thus expands, the key to releasing a more creative approach to dealing with the development challenges implicit in life. This practice has been the cornerstone on which we have generated extensive, respectful and productive relationships within FECD as well as with our local and international partners. It is the route that we will pursue towards a more complete form of human development.
William HernĂĄndez Executive Director FECD
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Human development with Focusing
FECD and the New Model of Human Development
Focusing has become the base on which FECD undertakes its actions. Using this tool, we are designing strategies and focusing on creative leadership, thereby promoting continual change with respect to our approach to life. Focusing has enabled FECD to implement a management model that articulates and provides a framework for medium and long-term planning processes as well as for day-to-day events. The approach has also been adapted to projects currently underway, particularly for small producers, in order for their efforts and work to be undertaken based on their felt sense, the basis for establishing – together – a new social development model. Focusing within Management The process of introducing Focusing into the management of FECD began by training members of the management team. This team, now entirely comprised of Focusing Trainers that uphold a practical living experience based on the felt sense, has worked on training other personnel from the institution, the majority of whom can now replicate this practice. memoir 2010
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The values of the principles underpinning FECD (innovation, integrity and attentive listening) are closely related to the concepts of Focusing and have arisen from this human-focused practice. Major achievements, such as negotiating the Italian ICEA cetification agency to set up ICEA Ecuador Cia. Ltda. with FECD as the majority shareholder, were attained through this practice that provides a space in which a person may listen and be listened to. Our experience in applying this approach is summarized in the book published in 2010: Focusing en la Gerencia de Instituciones Sin Fines de Lucro (Focusing within the Management of Non Profit Organizations). Focusing within Social Development There was something missing, something that prevented the development projects, implementation strategies and resulting benefits from being comprehensive and sustainable. After searching for years and working in various areas, we came to the conclusion that working to provide people with better access to resources, income or basic services was not sufficient – despite the achievements – if poverty was to be overcome. Although fundamental, other internal aspects – such as the felt sense – were also important if the quality of an individual’s life was to be improved. If we were to achieve success, this element also had to be incorporated. Many years back, FECD embarked upon the search that would provide for the integral development of complete and committed human beings. Fortunately our search led us to Focusing, a brilliantly simple discovery based on a component that is to be found in each and every one of us, forgotten and concealed. Humanity owes this discovery to the devoted work of the philosopher and scientist Eugene Gendlin and his life companion Mary Hendricks. The diffusion of the Focusing practice has become a FECD priority. Our intention is that all development projects focus on the individual, providing spaces for ongoing learning of the pause, enabling each person to listen to themselves and listen to others. This is the key to being able to provide integrated and extensive responses, the basis for constructing, creating and consolidating an existence, in each space or each human group. This practice enables individuals to heed what they really feel and want and, consequently, based on their own truth, relate to others and establish groups of committed individuals with a greater sense of belonging towards their organizations and towards their own development processes.
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Working from the Felt Sense in Each Region
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Human development with Focusing
Productive Frontiers, Contributing to Sustainable Development through Human Development
Cocoa in Esmeraldas, Los RĂos and the Amazon Region, rice from SucumbĂos, milk in Carchi, Andean grains, community tourism in Imbabura and Orellana: in total 15 sub-projects in 12 of the country’s provinces have strengthened their processes, from the phases of community organization to associative commercialization through the implementation of the Productive Frontiers project executed by FECD with a contribution from the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) over three years. Year 2010 saw the project close with results exceeding targets: 30,733 families participated and traded their products for over US$13,840,000. As a means of reducing poverty and inequality within those northern border regions affected by the armed conflict in Colombia, the Project concentrated on returning sustainability to the communities by strengthening productive chains and the capacities of the population. Using a gender and environmental based responsibility focus, the participants were able to successfully identify, plan and manage their productive chains. The achievements resulting from applied memoir 2010
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methodologies and strategies provided for extended project coverage over the Central Highlands the Coastal provinces. A New Social Development Model During 2010, in various sub-projects, the project was accompanied by the implementation of the new social development model based on human development and creative leadership with Focusing. By consolidating the training provided to small producers and other participants, principally in Esmeraldas and Los Ríos, we identified potential for future expansion of the model into other provinces. The result is that leaders, technicians and participants have learned to listen to their body, encouraging new ways of thinking and acting to emerge from their felt sense. Focusing-based teaching has provided for a more respectful communication. The consequence has been improved organizational management, increased productivity and creativity among leaders and a consolidated commitment among the people to their organizations. Strengthening Productive Chains Support is provided to productive chains by building or strengthening regional trading associations with a national and international reach, by product and by geographical zone. In some cases, using a model that taps
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into local capacities, as well as providing support for other aspects outside of the associations’ area of expertise, such as the commercialization process. This ensures that generated revenues and resources arising from the commercialization are channeled towards productive investments within the respective organizations. These associations then became part of the local administration structure with a very specific mandate that establishes a lasting focus on local community development. The result is that the technical management of the businesses becomes the engine driving the supported productive chains over the long-term. A Successful Close Paving the Way for Continued Project Growth Productive chains have now been strengthened. For example, one of the sub-projects supported by the local municipality in the canton of Esmeraldas managed to improve the production and marketing of fine aroma cocoa as well as setting up a new local organization in addition to generating space for learning to pause and listening. The “Randimpak” sub-project, that was executed in the Central Highlands, contributed to improving the living conditions of more than 10,773 indigenous families that, as a consequence of the zone’s high emigration rates, are characterized by female-headed households. This memoir 2010
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sub-project strengthened the Andean grain productive chain as well as contributed to improving the health and education of the zone’s families by supplying training to rural promoters. Using their newly acquired knowledge, the promoters provided technical assistance to families on productive and health-related matters in addition to teaching the community’s adults how to read and write. Similarly, in Napo and Orellana, families’ living conditions improved as a consequence of gaining access to cocoa production processes and technology. In three sub-projects executed by Asociación Amanecer Campesino, Asociación San Carlos and the NGO Desarrollo y Autogestión - DYA, 5,692 families participated in these two provinces. Crop productivity increased by 29% following the application of technical process in the production and post-harvest phases. The sub-project to strengthen the rice productive chain in Sucumbíos, executed by CISAS, also reported good results. 1,499 hectares were planted and crop productivity increased by 32% with 1,634 families participating. The following chapters of this report describe the achievements of subprojects executed in Esmeraldas, Imbabura, Carchi, Los Ríos, Sucumbíos and Orellana.
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Human development with Focusing
Cocoa with with a Sense of Well-Being in Esmeraldas
In Río Verde and Esmeraldas, cantons of the province of Esmeraldas, production of one of the world’s best cocoas – fine aroma cocoa – has been undertaken from the felt sense of each producer. It is here where the people have learned to listen to their sensations and listen to others. Throughout this period, strengthening the cocoa associative commercialization network has been a harmonious encounter between small producer groups and associations in which each one, from what they feel, has worked with commitment in the process towards change. The improvements in living conditions are evident. Not only has income increased, meaning better access to health and education, but the internal conditions of each person have also improved. Many producers who have worked in the Focusing workshops learning “the Pause”, now feel at ease with themselves.
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The Awakening Work on strengthening the zone’s fine aroma cocoa productive chain has been underway for a number of years. The process has seen producers renew their relationship with their crops, applying techniques that have enabled them to sow a quality product. In year 2010, work was undertaken on the post-harvest process in order to improve grain quality and to strengthen associative commercialization, all of which was carried out by small producers focused on their felt sense. Efforts set about in the canton of Río Verde, together with project support, provided for the consolidation of the small producers’ development vision through the creation of a second level organization, the Unión de Asociaciones Artesanales Eloy Alfaro. The consequence was the termination of the first phase with encouraging results, with the hope of an even better future to come. The real awakeing of the cocoa, driven by an awakening among the people, arising from deep within, has become evident this year.
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A New Association and a New Path to Traverse After setting up the Unión de Asociaciones Artesanales Eloy Alfaro in February 2010, the second stage of the project began, steered by this organization; a stage in which the Unión has also sought to implement processes with a human development approach. A Reencounter with the Internal Space Guapilar, a small community located in the province of Esmeraldas, is inhabited by working people fully engaged in cultivating the cocoa crop. The
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geographical location of this community makes it vulnerable to the vicissitudes of winter. Indeed, during the year Guapilar had to deal with the havoc caused by the rivers breaking their banks. As a means of providing support to the population in such times of crisis and to help the community reinsert itself into the associative commercialization system, intense work was undertaken with human development and listening. Now incorporated into FECD’s new social development model, these elements enabled the people to overcome their difficult situation as well as provide them with the tools they needed to forge ahead with a view to exploiting the opportunities in their locality.
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Forming Trainers in Human Development The people have internalized the new development model’s approach: the pause and checking with the body. Now, they call upon the first community trainer who is internationally certified to perform these processes. In addition, more than 100 community leaders, technicians, and community members have begun their training for developing these practices. Targets Achieved Accumulated results from this process are as follows:
More than 2,300 families participating in the associative commercialization system for cocoa. A 22% increase in revenues. More than US$2,800,000 commercialized associatively.
Testimonies We’ve improved
Cesar Plaza Nevarez, Esmeraldas community. “I have taken part in the field school where I learned the practice of pruning cocoa plants to ensure increased production with better quality. This experience and the learning process in the field school were very interesting. Even better was the Focusing workshop. I was invited to a workshop known as “listening”, and here I got to know various people from FECD. At first I didn’t understand anything. There was no fixed topic, no paper, no projector. But as the workshop progressed, I understood that it was about seeking out the good that is in my interior.”
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In the Province of Los RĂos, the Cocoa Grows Strong with the Felt Work of the People
Flourishing cocoa in the province of Los RĂos provides the people with better possibilities for today and a more secure tomorrow. Combating poverty through this project has been unrelenting. The small producers have not wavered in their efforts to progress, all the time working from their felt sense.
The new model of human development, which focuses on each person listening to themselves and to others, has created a sense of commitment and belonging among the small producers towards the project, thereby laying the foundations for the continued consolidation of processes incorporating harvesting and associative commercialization. Co-executed with CEDERENA, the project has also involved other local players such as INIAP, Anecacao, the Ministry of Agriculture and parish boards. memoir 2010
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The Path is Mapped Out In 2010, this project laid the foundation for the continued production of quality cocoa with particular emphasis on strengthening the associative commercialization network. More than 1,940 families have participated, increasing their income by 30%. The groundwork has now been undertaken enabling the following aspects to be implemented: Quality Production Although governed by climatic factors during this period, production rose from five to ten quintals per hectare per year. Work continued on strengthening the social organizational processes to ensure that production and harvesting hit the ground running once the harsh climate relented. As a consequence of the deliberations and ongoing participation of the people, committed to the development process from their felt, work was undertaken in strengthening the associative network of cocoa commercialization. Concurrently, the active participation of the people provided for cooperative efforts and, at the same time, the initiation of the organic production certification process through the implementation of the internal control and tracking systems necessary to access the seals certifying chemicalfree production. Work continues on this process to ensure that market access is obtained under the best conditions.
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Towards a New Form of Organization The process of strengthening partner organizations represents a fundamental step towards people teaming up, forming groups and then assuming the leadership of their own processes to achieve improved living conditions. Securing access to formal credit and saving systems is vital if the people organizing processes are to be fortified. During this period, 238 families have gained access to formal credit; a crucial aspect of strengthening partner organizations. The tireless work undertaken in this field has been the driving force behind producer organizations obtaining legal status. During 2010, three new associations obtained accreditation as legal entities, thereby laying the foundation for establishing a second level organization to lead the associative marketing process in the zone. Furthermore, organizational strengthening has provided for associative commercialization bringing in US$651,834, corresponding to 5,862 quintals of cocoa from 6,103 technically managed hectares.
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The process of organizational strengthening has been accompanied by the practice of Focusing, enabling a group of young entrepreneurs from the village of Zapotal to establish targets based on their bodily felt.
Testimonies I have improved my production and my income Manuel Evangelista Plua Dicao, San Vicente community
“With the training I have received, I am improving my traditional cocoa market garden. Before, the harvest was insignificant and yielded very little. Through associative commercialization I have received a better price for the cocoa I sell to the collection sub-centers run by the project. This has encouraged all the family to continue harvesting the cocoa plantations. We’re increasing our income and this has benefitted the whole family. At the same time, we’re also helping to re-establish the national cocoa production.”
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Focusing on Their Felt Sense, the People of Loja Produce the Best High-Altitude Coffee
In the cantons of Espíndola, Quilanga and Gonzanamá, located in the province of Loja, the project to strengthen the coffee productive chain has been developed as a means of combating the high emigration levels affecting the zone. Aroma coffee is now thriving under the stewardship of 1,015 participating families. During 2010, the process has been driven and strengthened by the new social development model based on the concept of human development initiated by FECD, in an effort to find innovative development strategies. This model, founded on Focusing’s scientific base, has been articulated through a number of activities that have served to strengthen the chain and have provided for development based on the people’s own felt sense.
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Creative Leadership Creative leadership, based on human development, was the approach implemented so that technicians and promoters, as well as the project’s participants, achieve a connection founded on listening to their own felt sense prior to listening with respect to others. This was the catalyst behind the development process in year 2010. Communication between technicians was improved and sustainability processes were strengthened. Alternatives to Emigration The people now feel that things are beginning to change. With the support of the project, they now have a productive coffee chain that was implemented during the period, offering the opportunities that many went elsewhere to seek. This change follows on from the substantial increase in coffee prices that, in turn, was the result of quality enhancements; an example of what can be achieved by working together, extending crop-growing areas and increasing productivity. As an additional benefit, this organizational process has also opened up new markets. Working together has strengthened the bonds between those who have stayed and those who have left. Using the initiative implemented by local cooperatives, remittances received from Spain are channeled towards productive investments in the emigrants’ communities.
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Nurseries, Training and Infrastructure In the nurseries, the small producers apply acquired techniques to ensure that they cultivate quality plantations. In the equivalent of field schools, the project promoters teach the small producers appropriate coffee-growing methods. During this period, various family nurseries and eight collective nurseries have been set up, providing for the production of 525,000 coffee plants and 1,239 hectares of improved crops. Another key element during this period was the support provided to implement the necessary infrastructure to ensure improved coffee quality in the post-harvest stage. A hundred manual pulping machines, 130 coffee washing tanks and 235 solar dryers (canopies) were provided. The result was a 33% improvement in crop production. Savings and Credit Cooperatives The difficulty in securing formal access to credit was the catalyst behind the initiative to strengthen the local savings and credit cooperatives operating in the cantons of Quilanga, EspĂndola and GonzanamĂĄ. During 2010, the project supported these cooperatives by means of consultancies to define reinforcement plans, financial products and the origin of its resources. The result was a plan of action implemented by the cooperatives that ensured a notable change in their contribution. The backing provided to strengthen partner organizations has been channeled through the cooperatives and was focused on an annual operating plan, the establishment of a business plan and the provision of credit through the local financial system.
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Commercialization Fund Associative commericialization is the means whereby small producers, by joining forces and combining their crops, can attend to large orders. The difficulty experienced by coffee associations in accessing the resources required to get their productive processes up and running triggered the associative credit initiative. Project support in the form of consulting services enabled the placement capacity of each cooperative to be determined. The conclusion was that the available resources were sufficient to sustain the commercialization process. In addition, FECD contributed the capital needed to get the process off the ground. The result was an alliance benefitting all those small farmers who approached their association to request the resources they needed.
Testimonies We’ll continue working together
Pedro Gaona, Grupo Valdivia, Quilanga-Loja “…With the help of this project I have seen some good results, especially the pulping machine that I couldn’t afford. FECD’s management of this project was just what we needed (…) everything they have taught us has been very useful in improving the coffee since this is the product that keeps this sector going. Our plots of land are now better and the marketing process has also improved. We will continue working together so we don’t have to emigrate because of poverty … We have also undertaken workshops that have made us think and pause. This has improved our responses based on what we are feeling. This has been the difference and has encouraged us because we have seen the things that this group has been able to generate with the support of the promoter (…), with the technicians and at home too. Results are better and our relationships with our colleagues have improved.”
Human development with Focusing
Women and Non-Violent Communication in Chimborazo, Listening to Ourselves by Way of the Pause
Using the new model of human development being implemented by FECD, women in the rural zones of the province of Chimborazo are adopting a new approach towards personal relationships within their families and the community. By promoting nonviolent communication, this project has been able to call on financial support from the Netherlands Embassy in its efforts to reinsert women into a productive environment and thereby contribute to diminishing gender violence. An Environment that Needs to be Changed The domestic violence of which rural women are victims is a traditional part of the environment where they play out their lives. Consequently, their role as women, wives, mothers as well as their participation in daily community activities is devalued and even considered of little worth. Opportunities to assume spaces in which they can participate as leaders in productive activities are scarce. This is an ambit in which, often by custom, men have taken the leading role.
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The project began in September 2010 with the target of incorporating 500 women and thereby improving their living conditions. Involving women in the commercialization process of Andean grains and tubers seeks to encourage their economic independence and thus reduce gender violence. The core of the initiative is the work undertaken in nonN violent communication using Focusing, an approach that is based on each woman’s felt sense.
Setting Out on the Right Path In a mere three months the project has produced encouraging results: 200 women have joined the training process that encompasses three principal aspects: women’s rights, non-violent communication and ecological agriculture. The workshops provide for the active participation of women seeking a life in which they can express what they feel and can listen to themselves and be listened to by others. As part of the ecological agriculture strategy, women and their families are provided with training on healthy production, based on a market approach in which the workshops teach women techniques on how to improve crop production. In addition, the project provides a variety of quality seeds such as mashua, oca and melloco as a means of recovering traditional tubers that form part of the Andean zone’s cultural identity.
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An Innovative Approach The new model of human development, based on listening and creative leadership with Focusing, has been implemented in all the project’s components. From the development of the project to its application, the approach has been developed in each of the areas in which the felt sense of the players comprising this project has been taken into account. In the Human Team This proposal seeks to change the way people listen to themselves and relate to what their body feels. To ensure memoir 2010
consistency with the application of this new approach, the selection process of those responsible for the project’s execution was based on the felt sense. During year 2010, the selection process was undertaken in accordance with the practice of Focusing to identify those people with the greatest interest and commitment in implementing and carrying out the human and social change initiative. Following various training sessions, the decisions of the technical team are taken with the necessary pause so that they emerge from the felt sense, and this is then transmitted to the communities.
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In the Communities Beginning in these zones a human development approach has provided for the contextualization of the new development model based on cultural and language differences. Notwithstanding the recent launch of the project, work in these first few months has made some important inroads. The women have begun to incorporate the subject of the pause in order to focus on their felt and then express it. This is the background to the workshops on economic and gender rights that, during the past few months, have focused on raising awareness among women and their families on aspects related to domestic violence and the participation of women in productive activities. Ecological agriculture workshops, which seek to rescue Andean grains and tubers, are designed around non-violent communication with the Focusing practice. By using the pause and checking with their bodies, the women have begun to learn to listen to themselves as a means of leading creatively, from the felt sense, and provoking changes in their lives.
Testimonies With a pause we communicate better
María Apulema, President. Women’s association of the Galte Jatun Loma community. “We are happy and grateful. Everything has worked out well. We realize that non-violent communication makes us react and ensures good communication with a pause. We’ll continue, slowly, practicing in our homes with our children.”
By listening to ourselves we progress
María Andrea Daquilema, promoter. Women’s association of the Laime Capulispungo community.
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“We see non-violent communication as an important issue. The other day, during a meeting in the savings office, our colleagues began to argue among themselves over the savings. The president then asked them to breathe deeply and pause for a moment before responding. The majority supports the president and tells her that we need good communication with a pause and to ask our bodies in order to be able to reply. This is the way that the association will be able to make progress. We’ll continue to practice the theory.”
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Ecological and Community Tourism
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Imbabura is Community Tourism
Community tourism and ethno-tourism have become a viable alternative, providing the families of the communities in the province of Imbabura with a different means of generating income while rescuing and valuing cultural practices. The possibilities implicit in the two projects being undertaken in this province indicate a promising horizon. The people have embarked upon cultural revitalization processes and have prepared themselves to develop and commercialize the tourism products they have created. Cotacachi, Ibarra, Otavalo, Pimampiro and UrcuquĂ are the cantons forming part of the project to strengthen the productive chain of tourism operations. Meanwhile, theN second project, focused on supporting the productive ethno-tourism chain, has been developed in the Mira River basin, in Ibarra and UrcuquĂ.
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Targets Achieved 2010 was a year of achievements for the project to strengthen the productive chain of tourism operations with targets exceeding forecasts. The families participating in this initiative finished the year with a 100% increase in their income compared with year 2008. Sales of tourism services and handicraft products generated an excess of US$740,000, comfortably ahead of expectations. A Quality Control System Implemented Guaranteeing tourism service quality in all aspects is the key to promoting sustainable initiatives coupled with projected growth. One of the most important elements implemented in the project to strengthen the productive chain of tourism operations during this period was the respective quality standard. This standard seeks to promote quality standards in the communities’ tourism operations. Supported by the project, it has been implemented by the Provincial Government of Imbabura, the institution with the responsibility of monitoring and accrediting tourism operations with the seal of quality. Furthermore, as a means of supporting this quality system and facilitating its monitoring, the project worked on a geographical information system that provides information on each tourism operation and provides their respective ratings. Diffusion This year, with the purpose of strengthening the marketing of tourism activities and supporting the search for new commercial
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alliances, the project participated in the Guayaquil FITE 2010 tourism trade fair in which it established links between community tour operators and travel agencies, tour operators and members of the public interested in community tourism. Publicity material was prepared to promote tour operations, tourist routes and craft workers participating in the project and a web page was set up as a means of generating trade contacts and promoting the sales of tour packages. A Necessary Complement to the Environmental Component This project has been complemented with the establishment of 20 agro-ecological gardens in various tourist operations. While becoming tourist attractions, these gardens have enabled the participating families to improve their knowledge of nutrition and appropriate food management. Tourism activities are undertaken with a responsible environmental management approach following implementation of solid waste management practices. memoir 2010
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In the Mira River Basin With the aim of strengthening and revitalizing the culture of the Afro-descent population participating in this project, efforts have been focused on diffusing information on the project, the culture and the tourism potential of the sector. Billboards and an information stand have been placed in strategic locations throughout the province. In addition, the project has contributed to the revitalization of the population’s culture through the publication of the magazine “Tesoros Escondidos” (Hidden Treasures) that has served as a guide to travelers interested in cultural tourism. Another noteworthy event has been the promotion of microentrepreneurship tourism initiatives involving seven workshops and support provided to the development and implementation of 30 start-up organizations. In addition, the project has trained 2,484 families in technical matters, and 28 community agro-tourism and eco-tourism promoters who have provided support in the implementation of 28 agro-tourism farms.
Testimonies We now know how to promote tourism Juan Guatemal, San Clemente association
“The project seems very good and interesting. We hope that they provide some follow-up because it is a great help to the community’s development and provides us with tourist information. The training we received for San Clemente was really useful. We learned about gastronomy and customer service. Another benefit is that we have been helped with competitive benefit funding for the community and the implementation of new initiatives.”
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Community Tourism in the Amazon Region, a Sustainable Development Opportunity
In Aguarico, a canton in the Amazon province of Orellana, the communities belonging to the kichwa nationality have discovered an alternative means of strengthening their culture and conserving the environment. For them, eco-tourism has become a new form of life and an option to generate resources and development without the need to exploit nature. The Shuar nationality, settled in the canton of Francisco de Orellana, has also become involved in community and ecological tourism. 2010 saw the consolidation of these processes in which the kichwa communities managed to prepare, and then subsequently market, tourism products. The project has been co-executed by Solidaridad Internacional and has also been able to call on the support of the Municipal Government of the canton of Aguarico, the Provincial Board of Orellana, UCT, Paz y Desarrollo and CODESPA.
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Tourism Products 12 communities have participated in this initiative. During the year, eight of those communities put together a number of tourism products focused on highlighting the natural wealth and culture with which the region and communities are endowed. Routes were mapped out, trails marked and tourist activities planned. The process was complemented with training provided to local guides that involved a number of courses covering different aspects of the hotel business. Courses attended by members of the communities were held at a number of venues: some in the same communities, others in El Coca. Consequently, participants directly involved in the project were trained to be multi-functional: drivers, tour operator leaders, administrators, tour guides, among others. 510 of the zone’s inhabitants participated in the project, all of whom received sound technical training to ensure that visitors are provided with a high quality service. Marketing Whenever manifested by the people, their cultural expressions have been taken into account. Year 2010 saw the beginning of the marketing process of the tourism products of those communities belonging to the Napo River Bank Tourism Solidarity Network (REST). With technical accompaniment provided by the project, strategies to contact groups of tourists were established and disseminated, involving presidents and leaders from each community throughout
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all the processes. By December 2010, sales of tourism packages had exceeded US$ 77,400. Dissemination In 2010, as a means of providing support, the Project helped in designing publicity material and editing a video that has been sent to national and international tour operators. A webpage (www.descubreorellana.com) was also set up detailing the tourism products offered by each community. Consolidating the Process This initiative will be managed in its entirety by the communities. To this end and in order to conclude the process of educating the project’s participants, a training program was implemented for operation leaders with the purpose of transferring management of the tourism packages to members of the communities.
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As a result of this two-year organizational strengthening process, the community tourism initiative has gained recognition through the granting of the REST legal status. The cycle is thus complemented: community and sustainable tourism for the people managed by the people.
Testimonies We are conserving our forest for the future
Fabián Gutiérrez, kichwa guide, Alta Florencia community “We’ve designed a workshop to be able to guide all Ecuadorian and overseas tourists. After seeing how our forest was being destroyed, all our animals, how everything was being ruined, we are now thinking that with community tourism we can conserve things. This is our aspiration and we are thinking about the future for our children and grandchildren.”
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Women and Children, Growth and Equity
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Life without Violence in 2010
Women in the border provinces of Esmeraldas and SucumbĂos, living in particularly violent circumstances as a consequence of the neighboring armed conflict and their own privations, have achieved some important changes in their locality. Before, their lives were a continual whirlwind of violent experiences that slowly undermined any development possibilities. Now, in these zones, the women have participated for the second consecutive year in gender and rights training workshops. During 2010, their form of seeing and feeling with respect to their lives has shifted transcendentally. Achieving a Change of Attitude This project is being developed in the provinces of SucumbĂos and Esmeraldas. Despite the different cultural contexts, violence against women is always latent. Indeed, memoir 2010
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violence is a fact of daily life, usually expressed through physical, verbal and psychological abuse. Among the populace, problems of gender equality are commonplace and deep-rooted. For years, such attitudes have been perceived by both men and women as natural. Such is life, thought the women, and that is how men exercise their manhood, thought the men. The work undertaken, intensified in 2010, not focused solely on women. Men, too, have been incorporated as a means of changing attitudes and seeing life and the relationship between men and women from a different point of view. Results have Exceeded Expectations The eradication of gender violence affecting mestizo women and children, as well as the indigenous and Afrodescents in the rural zones of these provinces, has been advanced through the work executed by the local partners, Cedeal and the SucumbĂos Federation of Women. Training and Replicas The women can now call on local promoters trained in the Mujer Conoce Tus Derechos (Women Know Your Rights) program. During year 2010, 65 women received training through the program and their accreditation is now being processed through the Ministry of
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Education, the program’s backers. These women are now capable of disseminating, teaching and promoting women’s rights in their different communities and cantons. They have set up three modules for the purpose of raising awareness on domestic violence, gender, self-esteem and economic rights. During 2010, in their communities, these capable and motivated women have raised awareness through the socialization of their acquired knowledge, imparted in replica workshops to 11,190 men and women in the rural areas. Previously unreached communities have now benefitted from the program and results have comfortably exceeded targets. Workshops have also been held on masculinity to raise awareness among men on matters such as the role of women in the productive chain, an aspect directly related to the subject of women’s economic rights.
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Political Influence During 2010, supported by the project, the women played a significant political role in various municipalities. For example, in the province of Esmeraldas women’s departments were created and budgets have been earmarked for work on raising gender awareness. Cultural Festivals Against Gender Violence During the year music, too, has been used as a means to raise awareness against gender violence among the population. Competitive festivals have been held with great success in each community and in which the focus has been on composing songs touching on the theme. The winners in each sector participated in a final contest. In Esmeraldas, a festival of lullabies was held and in Sucumbíos a new song was released. Both artists and the general public participated in the festivals, thereby promoting grass roots action to support the initiative with positive results.
Testimonies We know our rights
Gina Ponce, promoter of the Sucumbíos Federation of Women’s school of promoters “...I’m very happy as a promoter of the Sucumbíos Federation of Women because I feel that I have learned a lot. This has been very useful and has served to improve my own life and that of my family. It’s made me change my attitude as well as that of my husband and it’s also changed our lives. We’ve now been trained to replicate our experiences in other organizations, and to do it well and with confidence. (…) I see the pleasure and learning carried out among my colleagues in the replicas as something positive. They are very grateful and are very interested in the training.”
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Improving Education and Productivity in Rural Areas with Computers
Access to a computer can mean a positive change to the way people do their work and relate to the world. In various provinces throughout the country thousands of people and institutions – including children, small producers, schools and associations – have benefitted from this technological development program. For three consecutive years FECD, in alliance with Computer Aid, has supported this initiative. The program seeks to reduce the technological breach existing in the country’s rural zones by encouraging donations of reconditioned computers that are in perfect working order and by providing teachers with technological training. The initiative arises from the commitment of municipal governments to cover minor transport costs as well as the handling and safety of donated computers that are to be delivered to end users.
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Human development with Focusing In 2010 During the period, the initiative has been extended far and wide. Following the interest shown by various municipal governments with whom agreements have been signed for the delivery of computers, the program now incorporates other rural zones in the country. In total, more than 67,000 people have benefitted through access to these reconditioned machines. Towards a Technological Community Technology-focused training has enabled the beneficiaries to extend the range of applications to which they can use their computers. Schools now offer training on the use of software programs outside the confines of mathematics, language, English, among others. In the case of the producers, training has been focused on managing text processing programs and Excel spreadsheets.
Testimonies Education has come a long way here
Consuelo Rivadeneira, mother, “Ángel Héctor Cedeño” school, parish of Santa Ana, canton of Rocafuerte, province of Manabí. “The project has been very successful. Education has come a long way here. This is very important because some schools have never had computers. What’s more, it’s a very important subject for children since education is now so advanced. Thanks to the project, we’ve now got access to technology, something that wasn’t available in our days. I’m happy that our children have this opportunity.”
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Producing for Development
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How Milk has Provided for Community Development in Carchi by Building on a Strengthened Organization
In el Carchi, milk production has ensured the growth and improvement in living standards among the communities participating in the project to strengthen the productive milk chain. During 2010, small producers assumed the process and have developed their organizational capacities as well as their potential for optimizing their livestock yield, the sustenance driving their progress.
During this period, strengthening the commercialization system and the partner organizations have been the key focus to ensure a successful project close. The result has been a solid base on which quality milk production can increase over the forthcoming years and on which the people can build a better tomorrow for everyone. The project has been co-executed by the Provincial Government of Carchi and has also been able to call on the support of the municipalities of MontĂşfar, BolĂvar, Espejo and the Carchi Health Department. memoir 2010
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Strengthening Organizations Corporación de Emprendedores Agropecuarios del Carchi (CEAC), came into existence with project support more than one year ago with the purpose of grouping the zone’s small milk producers together as a means of negotiating better prices and production quotas with industrial sector purchasers. This corporation was also intended to serve as a political regional body to manage the state investment in the dairy sector. Results of the Corporation The work undertaken by the CEAC yielded fruit during 2010. Agreements reached with the industrial sector have provided an opening for base organizations to place their milk production on the market at a better price. Revolving Funds An important project component during 2010 has been the implementation of revolving funds for the placement of micro credits. Constituted with US$65,000, the fund is earmarked for stimulating commerce and acquiring supplies.
CEAC, accompanied by project technicians, has been responsible for managing the rotating funds. This ensures that funds are handled with transparency by members of the community, thereby generating an environment of trust. To ensure efficient management of the fund by CEAC, an administrative strengthening
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module has been implemented with positive results: 26 organizations have been able to access credit, more than US$90,000 have been managed, and the past-due portfolio is 0%. The fund has also served to diversify revenues through credits for micro-projects related to farming exploitation. Field Schools The field schools have also been involved in this process in 2010. In the 13 schools, 285 participants have been supported by 40 agriculture promoters, also trained through the project and who have continued to replicate the farming techniques learned.
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Accumulated Results In addition to the achievements described above, the processes for strengthening the productive milk chain resulted in: More than 1,500 benefitting families. Overall family income rising by 68%, with income from commercializing milk increasing by 188%. Income from associative commercialization of milk exceeding US$6,995,160.
Testimonies Now that we’re organized we have more opportunities Guido Quel, Santa Martha de Cuba – Aso. Artesanal San Pedro
“Now we’ve improved our structure within the existing organizations. With other colleagues we are preparing new proposals and we also have representation outside as producers. This connection has enabled us to negotiate our milk in times of crisis. In other words, we’ve seen more opportunities. The revolving funds have helped us to obtain credit quicker and perhaps more efficiently than through a bank or a cooperative. The procedures are simpler.”
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Cocoa with an Aroma of the Amazon in SucumbĂos
More than 2,300 families, of which 500 are female-headed households, are now producing one of the finest quality cocoa in the province of SucumbĂos. In total, 12 producer organizations are working together, listening to themselves and listening to others. The result has been increased production, improved quality and a consolidated organization system during 2010. Commercial Fund Through their associations, producers have been managing an appropriately supplied rotating fund provided by the project in order to capitalize their collection centers. This fund has served as the base to sustain productive processes within the cocoa chain. At the same time, the associations’ collection centers now have sufficient economic resources to be able to acquire, at a fair price, the cocoa taken by the small producers to the center.
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The processes have been consolidated during 2010. The fund has constituted a key factor in the process of strengthening associative marketing and the producer associations. With this available capital in 2010, more producers have participated in, and been able to sell their cocoa directly to the project’s collection centers. Consequently, the influence of intermediaries has declined since the
collection centers can now pay higher prices to the small producer. Expanding Opportunities As a result of successful work undertaken with the fund, the proposal of the producer partners has been accepted for a second consecutive year whereby these resources are also used to support the commercialization of coffee cultivated during cocoa’s low growing season. This initiative has provided for the high rotation of the fund’s capital. Consequently, during 2010, the marketing processes of both cocoa and coffee were strengthened.
Testimonies We have received many benefits
William Suarez, Aromas del Cuyabeno association, Parish of Tarapoa community. “To me, this project has been very good because we’ve received great support to improve the marketing of cocoa and coffee in our association. We’ve also been accompanied by technicians who have provided us with guidance on the organization’s work. During 2010 we benefitted in many ways: training provided to our colleagues, technical support, visits to farms and continual monitoring by the project, accompaniment and training to improve product quality. What I liked best was that they provided us with a commercial fund for our collection center. Without these resources we wouldn’t have been able to begin purchasing products at better and competitive prices and which we pass on to our colleagues at fair prices.”
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A Secure Investment Strengthening Organizations and Communities The project has implemented various administrative internal control processes to ensure that the people have the necessary tools to tackle the challenge of better managing available capital. Organizations have consequently been able to undertake a commercilization process that, in addition to benefitting partner producers with an improved price, has also been more profitable. The benefits acquired through this profitable process have been reinvested in the same organizations to the benefit of the communities. The workshops were targeted at partners and community leaders, with an associative approach coupled with ethnic leadership. At the beginning of this initiative, a continual monitoring process to be undertaken by the project to comply with strategic plans was proposed. This provided for the strengthening of the partner organizations and ensured fulfillment of proposed targets. Principal results are as follows: Cocoa productivity increased by an average of 31%. Commercialized cocoa exceeded US$618,800. The inclusion of “robusta’’ coffee as a complementary product during cocoa’s low season provided greater profitability in the organizations’ commercial processes. Commercialized coffee exceeded US$527,000. 2,239 farms obtained and/or renewed their Organic and/or Fair Trade Certifications. 100% compliance with operating plan targets.
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Auditors’ Report
BOARD OF THE FECD TRUST FUND Econ. Abelardo Pachano: President Principal Members: Ing. Raúl Baca Carbo Econ. César Robalino Fiduciary Napoleón Jarrín: General Manager of INTERFONDOS Administradora de Fondos y Fideicomisos S.A. FIDEICOMISO FECD PERSONNEL EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT William Hernández: Executive Director and Attorney-in-Fact Silvia Plonsky: Assistant to Executive Management PROJECT MANAGEMENT Patricio Galarza: Projects Manager Ximena Torres: Assistant to Project Management Claudia Oemer: Projects Officer Carlos Fonseca: Projects Officer Paulina Angulo: Projects Officer Jorge Idrovo: Projects Officer María Fernanda Illánez: Projects Officer Natali Cáceres: Projects Officer Byron Horna: Certification Expert ADMINISTRATIVE FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT Juan Carlos Brito: Administrative Financial Manager Beatriz Sosa: Accountant Wilson Chávez: IT Specialist Amable Aumala: Services Assistant Germán Tabango: Services Assistant
Design: Quinta Dimensión Photographs: FECD’s Archive Translation and Editing: Andrew Chapman and Diana Baquero Complete or partial reproduction is permitted, provided the source is acknowledged. Copyright: Fideicomiso Ecuatoriano de Cooperación para el Desarrollo (FECD) Fondo Ecuatoriano de Cooperación para el Desarrollo – FECD Prolongación de la Av. Granda Centeno Urb. El Alcázar, Pasaje 2. No. OE7-02 Casilla: 17-21-1018 / Quito, Ecuador Tel: (593-2) 246 8441 - 244 9660 - 243 7249 Fax: (593-2) 246 9765