While the Waorani communities, and more generally those who inhabit the Amazon Basin, depend on the ecosystem services provided by this biome and its enormous biological wealth for their own cultural and material survival, the diverse needs created by the Western world gradually increase pressure on these inhabitants to adopt socioeconomic models that promote a profound social inequity and, in many cases, a significant environmental deterioration. At the same time, the extremely important contribution that Indigenous Territories make to global climate stability is recognised at the international level.
In this context, actions aimed at developing organisational and territorial governance capacities within the inhabitants of the Amazon Basin, counteracting pressures on forests and generating new sustainable sources of income are vital for the conservation and sustainable management of the biome, as well as for the maintenance of its culture.
This is how the EcoCiencia Foundation developed various conservation and development initiatives in the Waorani Territory, starting from a process of raising awareness of these populations and their leaders regarding their territory and resources through innovative and highly participatory mechanisms and tools, thus stimulating the exercise of governance at all levels and the preservation of their tangible and intangible heritage to ensure its availability for future generations. Secondly, and in a manner complementary to the daily activities of the Waorani, a series of socioeconomic alternatives have been developed in order to generate economic income for the Waorani families.
These actions were prioritised as part of a broad sociocultural negotiation. Working and cooperation models were established to build solutions in a participatory manner for the sustainable management of biodiversity by generating economic activities that revitalise the local economies of Waorani families.
A sustainable agroforestry program was therefore launched for the Waorani cocoa value chain. It allowed for the recovery of previously deforested areas and promoted food sovereignty through the diversification of farms. It also allowed for sustainable management of bamboo focused on improvement and innovation in crafts, and as a third alternative, the sustainable use of wild garlic - an Amazon species that greatly contributed to combating COVID-19 in these populations. The products derived from these productive chains that distinguish themselves by their high added value, have been conceived as sustainable options for these communities to respond to their increasingly pressing economic needs.
It should be noted that, throughout this journey, women and communities have provided a great contribution, thanks to their constant involvement and interest. This made it possible to create local capacities. An example of this is that a technical Waorani team is now constantly leading different processes in the territory, supporting their peers with acquired knowledge and techniques to improve the management and use of their resources.
Wao Chocolate, one of the products created as part of this project, has allowed this conservation and sustainable development experience led by indigenous Amazonian women to inspire and demonstrate that it is possible to find development alternatives that are more comprehensive and respectful of the environment.
About the authors
Ana María Acosta Social communicator and journalist with more than fifteen years of experience in NGOs and international organizations in Colombia and Ecuador. She has specialised in the fields of strategic communication, social marketing and institutional journalism. As part of the EcoCiencia team, she develops communication strategies and inputs for projects and programmes, both nationally and internationally, as well as institutional communication plans and strategies.
Elizabeth Riofrío Coordinator of bio-trade issues in the context of sustainable tourism. Her work experience covers various areas and functions from administrative assistance, chair assistance and archaeological research, environmental interpretation, outreach specialist and consultant for communication strategies in environmental conservation projects.
The EcoCiencia Foundation is an Ecuadorian scientific, private and non-profit entity founded with the aim of generating quality information for better decisions for the conservation of biodiversity and the well-being of the population, through alliances with local governments, municipalities, provincial councils, local and international NGOs and community and grassroots organizations.
