Follow-up trip empowering women and young people in Ecuador

FRS strengthens indigenous agroecology in Morona.

The trip to Morona, in the Ecuadorian Amazon, to monitor the project aimed at strengthening the agricultural production, processing, and marketing of indigenous and peasant women and youth—an initiative that seeks to improve their living conditions from a rights-based, equality-based, and agroecological perspective—was a complete success!

The mission, carried out by FRS staff during the last quarter of 2025, included the participation of the project officer from the Valencia office and the expatriate coordinator. The project is funded by the Valencian Regional Government and implemented by the ATASIM Foundation in five communities in the Morona canton, Morona Santiago province.

The team visited the communities of San Isidro and the indigenous communities of Pikiur and Pinchunaint, in the parish of Sevilla Don Bosco. On the ground, we observed concrete progress in the planting of medicinal and fruit trees, as well as the consolidation of agroecological farming systems led by committees of women and youth.

“Before, we only produced for our own consumption; now we’re thinking about selling and getting better organized,” shared one of the participants. The producers also emphasized their commitment to food security and generating income from local species.

One of the key milestones in the monitoring process was the visit to the processing plant located in San Isidro. The infrastructure and equipment are practically ready and will allow for the processing of medicinal plants, adding value to local production and facilitating their sale in regional markets.

In San Isidro, a meeting was also held with representatives of the production committees to evaluate the exchange trip to Salerito. During the meeting, the women shared what they had learned, best practices, and proposals to implement in their communities, especially regarding organization, product processing, and sales.

This follow-up trip strengthens the coordination between FRS and the ATASIM Foundation. Furthermore, it incorporates the input of women and young people to refine activities and move towards a sustainable development model that promotes economic autonomy, gender equality, and a future for the communities of Morona.