Ecuadorean cacao: coins of wellbeing and inclusion

Ecuador's cacao is the export product with the longest history in the country and, specially the coastal area, is characterized by its potential as a producer of cacao with a fine aroma, one of the most valued in the world.  With the ICCO Dutch Cooperation and the Fundación Maquita Cushunchic Comercializando como Hermanos (Maquita Cushunchic Marketing like Brothers), CAF's Social Innovation Initiative joins in an international alliance to promote the productive and touristic development of a geographic area that goes from the coast up to the Ecuadorean Amazon, which will directly benefit more than one thousand families. 

The project includes strengthening the institutional framework of the Foundation to support it as it changes from an NGO to a social enterprise, with a high probability of becoming a B Enterprise. This is undoubtedly an innovative action which will be a milestone in the third sector, and can serve as an example for similar entities in other countries of the region. This organization has accomplished net sales of $ 21 million, and profits reaching close to $3 million, making it a model of economic, social, and environmental sustainability with a large potential. 

A key component of the proposal is to improve the life conditions of a rural population with high poverty indices, besieged by the lack of employment possibilities, the undervaluing of its crops, and faced to the abandonment of the land to go to the cities looking for better opportunities, which in most cases, does not happen. 

To solve these problems, it is necessary to generate social and economic opportunities by providing productive employment, especially for women and young people, strengthening their roots and cultural identity by means of developing tourism in a region that has all the possibilities of becoming an alternative drive for the national economy.  At the same time, an increase in the production of quality cacao is promoted, together with its transformation for export and sales at competitive prices in international markets, under production parameters that are friendly with the environment and comply with food security.  

In this regard, the entry into operations of the cacao plant for half-finished products marks the beginning of an ambitious operation where products with value added will be processed. It should be noted that the work between ICCO and Maquita has strengthened 342 base organizations, coordinating almost 75,000 producers in 17 provinces of Ecuador. In the tourism area, it is important to highlight the installation of Community Tourism Centers, restaurants, coffee shops, and lodging in 9 provinces, working together with decentralized governments.