Abstract

MALDONADO PACHECO, Blanca Priscila  and  CARRASCO-TENEZACA, Majo. Sowing the future: Transformation and progress in rural communities of Cariamanga. RCUISRAEL [online]. 2025, vol.12, n.2, pp.81-92. ISSN 2631-2786.  https://doi.org/10.35290/rcui.v12n2.2025.1337.

The Valle de Gigantes Association, with the support of the Healthy Living Initiative from the Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador, has participated in training programs and has arranged a food processing mini plant aiming at improving the nutritional status and income of its members. This project contributes to various Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): poverty eradication, health and wellbeing promotion, gender equality, decent work and economic development, and responsible production and consumption. Participant observation during trainings and production activities, along with focus groups with association members were used as qualitative methodology. Structured surveys analyzed with descriptive statistics were used as quantitative methods. The results showed an increase in the ability of self-management and economic sustainability in the involved communities and highlighted the importance of academic support and international financial support as key elements in rural development. In conclusion, this project has strengthened the community agency and their economic empowerment. This suggests that projects that aim to create or improve entrepreneurial abilities and interdisciplinary collaboration can be effective in fighting poverty and promoting sustainable economic development in rural areas.

Keywords : Rural Development; Community Empowerment; Education and Knowledge Transfer; Sustainable Development Goals..

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