Entrepreneurs, Producers and Farmers Fair

The EcoSur Ecuador Foundation contributes to the sustainable development of local businesses and initiatives run by residents of the communities of El Altar and Puela, in the Penipe canton. These communities were severely affected by the eruptions of the Tungurahua Volcano more than 20 years ago, which caused widespread poverty in the area, as residents were unable to cultivate their land for several years.

Due to the deterioration of their homes and the dangers they faced, many residents had to abandon their land. In recent years, however, many families have been returning in search of new livelihood opportunities, including agricultural activities, small businesses, entrepreneurial initiatives, and tourism.

To support this sector, an assessment of the current situation in these communities was carried out. It revealed that work activities primarily undertaken by women were among the most affected, as they did not receive fair compensation for their products. Instead, intermediaries captured a larger share of the profits, preventing families from improving their living conditions.

In response to this situation, the EcoSur Ecuador Foundation is organizing a series of fairs at its facilities to contribute to the sustainable development and well-being of communities and families. Women entrepreneurs are the main protagonists of these fairs, seeking to succeed through their own efforts and improve their living conditions.

The fairs take place every Wednesday from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon at the EcoSur Foundation's facilities. They are promoted through social media campaigns and door-to-door outreach to public and private institutions. These efforts have encouraged local entrepreneurs to participate and showcase their products to the general public in innovative and creative ways.

The fairs are strengthening this small local market and enabling small-scale producers to grow and increase their income fairly by selling their products directly to consumers, without intermediaries.

It is encouraging to see how the group of women entrepreneurs participating in this project has grown and become stronger. They have also introduced new business initiatives, such as bartering among the entrepreneurs themselves. This project has sustainably promoted a new source of employment, helping improve people's quality of life, resilience, and economic development.

It is important to highlight that the initiative also involves older women, women with disabilities, and those without support. Due to their circumstances, these individuals can no longer perform agricultural work and have very limited opportunities to find employment.