Sustainable Rural Development & Organic Farming Internships, Sierra, Ecuador

CRACYP (which stands for Rural Reforestation and Progress Network Corporation, in Spanish) is a non profit organisation which has been working for more than a decade in over 200 communities on the borders of the Cotopaxi, Bolivar and Los Rios provinces in Ecuador.  Now CRACYP is extending its work to indigenous communities in the highlands of Imbabura Province.

CRACYP’s aim is "Progreso Verde" or "Green Progress" - conservation of the environment and economic and social development of local communities.  We aim to transfer appropriate technology and sustainable alternative agricultural methods, in exchange for community participation in reforestation.  This process also increases the production alternatives and resources of the communities involved, improving their quality of life.  

This is a great opportunity for those studying organic agriculture, rural development, sustainable development, ecotourism, community development or similar subjects to gain practical field experience.  Interns will help with a range of environmental and development projects as well as undertaking a small development project of their own and participating in monthly development workshops. 

Interns will be based mostly in the historic Hacienda La Magdalena, once a stopover for Simón Bolivar, previously owned by wealthy landlords but now belonging to an association of 85 local families.  Projects involve not only organic agriculture but also environmental issues, education and other development challenges for the indigenous farmers and the communities they live in.  Business interns could help with commercialization of the traditional embroidery and other handicrafts of the area.

More details: Download the CRACYP Internship Information Pack and Sierra Intern Pack from http://www.progresoverde.org/internship.html or email internship.ecuador@yahoo.co.uk.  Please quote reference SDInsJun11 when you apply.