A strong alliance with indigenous communities and organizations
Strengthening processes of self-determination and governance of the Amazonian peoples and nationalities within the framework of the Buen Vivir (“Well-Being”) is an essential part of our work. For this reason, we form great alliances with indigenous organizations; thus, promoting respect for collective rights, territorial defense, and the rights of nature.
Alliances
We support local processes in the search for protection of the most biodiverse area of Ecuador
Throughout 25 years of work, we have had the honor of collaborating with the most representative indigenous organizations of the center-south of the Ecuadorian Amazon in projects related to organizational strengthening. Now our work has expanded, covering the entire Amazon of Ecuador and the northern Amazon of Peru.
Our work must find alternatives to extractive industries through bio-entrepreneurship and ecotourism projects. We also provide technical and legal support in processes that turned out to be historic for the Amazonian peoples, such as the case of the Kichwa people of Sarayaku; essential to understanding the impact of the binding Prior Consultation against activities that could endanger the integrity of their communities, territories, and the health of their inhabitants.
Work Strategies
Alternative solutions led by indigenous communities
Generate capacities to strengthen indigenous organizations; which include administrative, financial, and operational issues.
Promote training spaces as a mechanism for sharing information for decision-making by Nationalities and Indigenous Peoples.
Support the territorial governance and self-determination of indigenous peoples and nationalities by supporting their congresses, assemblies, and strategic meetings; which are the spaces for decision-making on the most relevant territorial issues.
Promote fields of articulation and incidence of indigenous organizations at the local, regional, national, and international levels.
Which organizations do we support?
We have a line of technical support for the Confederation of Indigenous Organizations of the Ecuadorian Amazon (CONFENIAE), the most important regional organization in the Amazon and one of the three regional organizations part of the Confederación de Nacionalidades Indígenas del Ecuador (CONAIE); likewise with the Kichwa, Achuar, Shuar, Sapara, Shiwiar, and Andwa nationalities.
From the Initiative of the Sacred Headwaters of the Amazon, we maintain a collaborative alliance with the Organizational Coordinator of Indigenous Communities of the Amazon Basin (COICA), an indigenous organization of international convergence that focuses its efforts on the promotion, protection, and security of indigenous peoples and territories; through the defense of their ways of life, principles, and social, spiritual and cultural values.
