Training and exchange of experiences in eco-social transition and SSE among Andean organisations in Ecuador

Beekeeping and environmental stewardship in the Chaco Guaraní (Bolivia), coffee and cocoa cooperatives in the central jungle of Junín (Peru), the alliance between Nasa Indigenous community organisations and cooperatives formed by peace signatories, the Cantonal Council of Agroecological Producers of Cayambe and the consumer cooperative Sur-Siendo Redes y Sabores in Quito (Ecuador); these are diverse experiences rooted in different local contexts, yet they all share valuable lessons for the eco-social transition.

Between 19 and 27 October 2024, representatives of the aforementioned organisations had the opportunity to deepen their training in eco-social transitions and the Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) by participating in various activities in Ecuador. They also collaborated with organisations in Quito such as Maquita Cushunchic (MCCH), Grupo FEPP, the Codesarrollo cooperative and Camari shops, as well as the Central University of Ecuador (UCE).

The training sessions brought together 32 participants (21 women and 11 men): six from Bolivia, 11 from Ecuador, six from Peru, seven from Colombia and two from the Basque Country.

During these training sessions, the group learned about other local productive and social initiatives, including their production, transformation and marketing processes. The initiatives of Salinas de Guaranda, a canton renowned for its contributions to the social and solidarity economy, stood out. 

The project

This initiative is part of a cooperation project promoted by Hegoa (UPV/EHU) and supported by eLankidetza - Basque Agency for Cooperation and Solidarity: “Strengthening capacity and alliances in local SSE ecosystems to contribute to eco-social transitions in Andean region territories”.

In addition to the activity described in this text, in 2023 and 2024, the project included other training activities in the territories and between countries. Online and in-person forums have been organised, along with a research process to explore the eco-social transition potential of specific experiences within the Andean region. The results of this research have been compiled into the book Transiciones ecosociales desde experiencias de Economía Social y Solidaria en Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador y Perú (Ecosocial Transitions from Social and Solidarity Economy Experiences in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru) (Hegoa, 2024).

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