Ecuador: Collectors and Fisherwomen - Rhizomes of Life

The aim of the project is to facilitate the collaborative development of proposals to support the adaptation to challenging scenarios of gatherer and fisherfolk families residing in mangrove estuaries, in response to changing circumstances within coastal marine territories affected by impoverishment, climate change and ecosystem degradation.

The project is structured around two core pillars:

(I) educational platform review and iteration and

(II) the strengthening of regional and international networks.

These elements unite to generate a robust theoretical, practical, and methodological programme that will augment the capabilities of potential participants, while enhancing the development of the facilitators, technicians, and leaders that participated in the pilot and are associated with C-CONDEM.

Approximately 30 families across four coastal provinces of Ecuador (Esmeraldas, Manabí, El Oro, and Guayas) and an intermediary province (Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas) will benefit directly from this initiative. This is a subsequent phase from the pilot that will enable additional development.

The C-CONDEM will manage the project, striving to make a significant impact on the protection and enhancement of marine-coastal social-ecological systems through social engagement and political advocacy.

Building upon the insights and outcomes from the preceding pilot phase, this project is designed to implement a systemic strategy aimed at enhancing the adaptability and resilience of communities within marine-coastal territories in Ecuador and beyond. It focuses on the strengthen of the programme of the Women Collectors and Fisherwomen of Coastal Marine Territories - Rhizomes of Life Educational Platform. This capacity building platform supports developing capacities, skills and providing necessary resources to manage risks and threats effectively. The goal is to establish a solid baseline for the scaling up of the platform to a regional and international levels.