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Sustainable Economic and Community Development in Ecuador

  • Community, Conservation
  • Ecuador
  • All year round from early 2021
  • Select 2 weeks3 weeks4 weeks5 weeks6 weeks7 weeks8 weeks9 weeks10 weeks11 weeks12 weeksExtra Week

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  • Sustainable Economic and Community Development in Ecuador
Project Summary

What is the Sustainable Economic and Community Development in Ecuador project all about?

Volunteer in Ecuador on this economic and community development initiative to work alongside over 50 families, aiming to preserve their values, culture and environment, while building sustainable livelihoods for themselves. A few years ago, this location was declared to be in a protected area. In order to achieve maximum long term conservation, there has been no incentive for monocultures, the use of agrochemicals, logging, or mass tourism.The community’s families, with the support of NGOs, started a forestry project which grew to incorporate organic gardening, small dairy processing factories, jam making and ecotourism. The initiative is now supported by scientific research projects, which aim to preserve the flora, fauna and cultural specialism of the area.


Why choose this Sustainable Economic & Community Development project?

The main objective is to improve the quality of life of the local people through the sustainable use of the natural resources of the area. With a wide range of activities taking place, volunteers not only offer an extra pair of hands, but also share ideas and expertise with the local teams and the community. Volunteers benefit from being able to experience first-hand the challenges facing communities and projects trying to adhere to sustainable economic approaches. This is a great addition to your CV/Resume, especially if you have been studying a related subject.


Role of the Community & Conservation Volunteer

Volunteers will be involved in a range of activities, which will be determined by the needs of the project at the time of your placement, plus your skills and interests, but may include:

  • environmental education for local children
  • forestry research of non-timber industry resources, such as orchids, medicinal plants etc.
  • organic gardening – planting, clearing and harvesting organic plants to support local women
  • agriculture and reforestation on family farms
  • community focused tasks, such as maintaining camping trails, developing composting systems, maintaining the camping area etc.
  • food processing – marmalade/jam or cheese production

Volunteers will also find themselves participating in social events, sporting activities and festivals that are important to the community.


What skills do I need to be a Community & Conservation Volunteer in Ecuador?

There are no specific skills required to participate on this project. Being able to speak Spanish (level B2 Independent User of CEFR) will help you to participate in activities and to gain the most out of the project and your homestay placement. Volunteers should be flexible, patient, understanding, and creative and come with a can-do attitude. Anyone with an interest in organic gardening, horticulture, early childhood education or community development will really enjoy this placement. You will be asked to send your CV/resume before being accepted onto this project.


Travel during COVID times

The health and safety of our travelers and our local communities remain central to our plans for reopening countries and projects. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have been adapting our programs and protocols to protect all those involved, and ask for everyone’s patience and collaboration as new rules are implemented in-country. For all projects, new standards of sanitation, procedures and social behaviors are in place, including new health and hygiene protocols and social distancing practices. You can read more here. Each location may be slightly different in the way they operate. We encourage you to inquire to your placement advisor to learn more about your specific project as you plan for your responsible return to travel!

While the COVID pandemic is still affecting travel, for this location, you will need to do a quarantine for the first 10 days. So choose your project length accordingly for pricing by adding in an extra week to your travel plans.

Read all about our project reopening response to COVID-19

 

REQUEST MORE INFO   RESERVE YOUR PLACE

RECRUITING FOR EARLY 2021

WHY JOIN THE PROJECT

To share your ideas and expertise with the community

To practice your Spanish skills

To help families build sustainable livelihoods for themselves

FEATURED VIDEO

PROJECT TESTIMONIALS

The Location

Where will I work in Ecuador?

You will be based in the small town of Yunguilla, an hour outside of Quito. Yunguilla is set high up in the cloud forest. As it is part of a municipal natural reserve, there are always stunning views and lots of wildlife to see.

On weekends, you can venture to Quito, where there is plenty to see and do. Familiarise yourself with the country’s history and see the many wood, stone, bone and gold works of art at the city’s museums. Join the locals at night and enjoy the music, dancing and bar scene that Quito has to offer!

Details & Costs

  • Duration: 2 + weeks
  • Cost: £1423 / $2221 for 2 weeks
    £246 / $384 for each week thereafter
  • Requirements: age 16+
  • Location: near Quito, Ecuador
  • Project availability: year-round
  • Arrival day: twice monthly on Fridays

What is included

  • Accommodation: homestay with hot, running water and electricity
  • Stay in a hostel in Quito, breakfast included, homestay family or volunteer house in Yunguilla
  • Food: 2 meals per day
  • Airport pick up and drop off in Quito
  • Local SIM card and phone ($50 deposit required, must be retuned when you leave)
  • Training: pre-departure pack, on-site orientation (on Saturday) and project induction
  • Support: 24 hour support

What is not included

  • Flights
  • Insurance
  • Visas
  • Police/Government Background Check: US and UK citizens will be processed through Kaya (admin fee applies); all other nationalities must provide local police check.
  • Transfers to and from your project
  • Meals beyond those listed
  • Optional intensive Spanish classes 1-week programme £355 / $621 including accommodation
  • Optional excursion on the Sunday of your arrival weekend. Please speak to an advisor if you want to know more.
  • Any costs for COVID-19 PCR tests required pre-departure and in-country

 

Gallery

Pictures from our Sustainable Economic & Community Development in Ecuador project

Cheese moulds economic community development Ecuador
Digging economic community development Ecuador
Hillside economic sustainable development Ecuador
House in jungle economic community development Ecuador
Valley economic community development Ecuador
Volunteer bedroom economic community development Ecuador
Volunteers hiking economic community development Ecuador
Volunteet milking a cow economic community development Ecuador
Working in a greenhouse economic community development Ecuador
Quito orientation Ecuador
Orientation in Quito Ecuador

2021 Dates

  Start Days
January 8th, 22nd
February 12th, 19th
March 12th, 26th
April 16th
May 14th, 28th
June 11th, 25th
July 9th, 23rd
August 6th, 27th
September 24th
October 15th
November 12th
December 10th

 

Easy 4-step application process

APPLY ONLINE

Click here to apply online and pay your application fee to apply for your space on your chosen project. Our advisors will then contact you to guide you through the next steps.

TELEPHONE INTERVIEW

Once we’ve received your application, we’ll review your details and be in touch to arrange your informal telephone interview with your Kaya Placement Advisor.

CONFIRMATION

Following your interview, we will provide you a placement offer. Once you are ready to confirm your placement and dates, you can pay your confirmation fee to book and secure your space.

GET PREPARED

When you have confirmed your project dates we'll send you your Welcome Pack and lots of other helpful information to assist you with preparing for your placement.

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Kaya Responsible Travel offer volunteer and internship placements on over 150 sustainable community development and environmental initiatives in Asia, Africa and Latin America.

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