World Connect

Local-led Culinary Tourism in the Ecuadorian Andes

Year: 2016

Country: Ecuador

Project Status: Funded

Impact Sector: Economic Opportunity

Project Investment: $2,880.00

Project Launch: 11-7-16

Kallpa Warmi, an indigenous women's cooperative based in the Andes Mountains of Ecuador, has already established a local following with their brand of unique recycled art. The collective is now seeking to expand its entrepreneurial focus to encompass a catering business featuring local gastronomic specialties. This project proposes the acquisition of a collapsible market stall and other supplies so the women of Kallpa Warmi can bring their delicious food to the area's foreign tourists as well as other Ecuadorians.

Project Update: 11-13-17

The 40 active women of Kallpa Warmi announced they will be debuting two new vending locations this season: One in their village and another at nearby Cajas National Park. The space at Cafe Galeria in the village was inaugurated in April 2017.

Kallpa Warmi now possesses a contract with the Municipality of Cuenca Cultural Centers and Municipal Libraries until December 2017. Currently, each partner has an income of $40 per month for the services provided. The cooperative also trains cultural centers every month for which it is paid $3.50 per hour. Training topics include urban and vertical gardens, snacks for adults and children, Easter bread and cookies, recycled art, and traditional gastronomy. Members of Kallpa Warmi have also joined a new savings and loan program for female entrepreneurs in Cuenca which provides micro-credit to women business owners.

Final Report: 6-5-18

As a result of this project, Kallpa Warmi has grown in economic and entrepreneurial ways. One of the main successes has been the impact and effect that project has had on the other activities. For example, this funding opportunity opened many doors for others in the local community. Upon project approval by World Connect, Kallpa Warmi sought another location with t the local government office of Sayausí and through this, they acquired another local space. The municipal president was inspired by the initiative and agreed to set a lease with Kallpa Warmi at this location. This project organized the way to conduct training workshops that focused on an exchange of skills and knowledge among the women themselves. This part was very successful because the participants of Kallpa Warmi finished with more skills and a stronger group bond.