The Development Bank of Ecuador, in a special event held in Quito, recognized 12 finalist projects for their efforts to care for the environment and advance social causes. In 2019, 115 applicants from local and provincial governments and companies from across Ecuador were narrowed down into 12 finalists divided into three categories.
The Prefecture of Cotopaxi and our partner, a wine producers association in Quinticusig, won first place in the category “Water, Páramos, and Work”.
The Development Bank of Ecuador presented a prize of 450,000 US dollars to the Cotopaxi prefect Jorge Guamán Coronel, who proudly received it on behalf of the community.
In a rural community in the Andes mountains of Ecuador, Community Evolution has worked with three associations, since 2016. The growth of one of those associations in particular has been notable: the Agricultural Producers and Marketers Association of Quinticusig.
The company processes 4000 liters of wine per month and sells them in 750 ml bottles. The facility employs six plant operators and three administrative workers, it also provides an income for 23 families.
Yet it wasn’t the business financials that impressed these judges, it was the way the community cleans and cares for the Andean páramos (fragile alpine tundra ecosystems) and how the association creates environmental awareness and ensures long-term water sustainability, all while creating jobs in an area with limited access to education and basic services.
We presented our work in the city of Quito, explaining the strategy before a jury and highlighting the environmental and social benefits that the community has generated. We are pleased that we won and that other communities had the opportunity to learn from the Association! The Cotopaxi prefecture will be in charge of managing the prize money for the community.