MISSION AND VISION

FEDICE's mission is to work with vulnerable Ecuadorian families to eradicate poverty. Our mission includes the following points:

To provide economic opportunities to indigenous and marginalized communities living in Ecuador.
Empowering members of partner communities — especially women — with greater knowledge and understanding, as well as work and life skills through holistic development.
Encourage and support the development of local community leaders.
Lay the foundation for community organization and foster solidarity by applying the concept of "MINGA" (a unified effort that benefits a community) to programs and projects.
Instill the pillars of trust, responsibility, and partnership in every aspect of our work.

YANACOCHA

VISION

Working for social justice and peace; building sustainable livelihoods, fostering economic autonomy and significantly improving the quality of life for marginalized indigenous and rural communities in Ecuador, while uplifting the dignity, attributes and customs of each culture in our Ecuadorian regions. We do this as an act of FAITH in the living gospel of Jesus Christ, adopting our motto verse from the word of God.

"So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. James 2:17 (NIV)

PROCESS

FEDICE follows a successful strategic planning process, implemented for more than 28 years, to build projects that strengthen and highlight the value of indigenous and marginalized communities in Ecuador through tools that enable the social and economic development of the people who make up each of these communities.

1. Link with a Community

The first step in establishing a PROJECT with a community is to make contact. Interested community leaders or associations typically send a letter to FEDICE expressing their interest in working with us, providing references, and requesting a meeting. At the first meeting, the scope of the project and overall goals are discussed, and our policies and processes are explained. If both sides feel that the project is appropriate, and the community is committed to abiding by our policies and processes, then we proceed to the next stage of planning.

2. Situational Analysis

In this step, we obtain fundamental data for planning purposes and to ensure the success of the project. We examine climatic conditions, the number of inhabitants in the community, average family size, access to basic services, main industries and labor market conditions in the area, current occupations and skills, and other socio-economic indicators. At this stage in new associations, we also help establish a board consisting of a president, treasurer, secretary, and members. These people serve as points of contact with FEDICE, and coordinate meetings, trainings, etc.

3. Project Design

Planning is a fully inclusive and collaborative process between FEDICE and partner communities. We base our planning on four fundamental principles:

Relevance: We plan projects according to community needs, recognizing and addressing current socio-economic conditions, prevailing cultural norms, and the life experiences of participants.

Effectiveness: We work to make maximum use of the human, material and economic resources available in the community, with the goal of achieving maximum results at minimum cost.

Sustainability: Our goal is to strengthen communities with the tools, resources, confidence and knowledge, so that throughout the project communities can develop a high level of self-sufficiency.
Lasting impact: We seek to drive the kinds of systemic economic and social changes that establish a full development cycle and lay the foundation for a more equal and just future.

4. Implementation (Reimbursable Fund Projects)

Distribution of funds and signing of contracts: The community organization signs an agreement and receives the reimbursable funds at a festive event. These community credits are used to purchase animals, seeds, supplies or merchandise depending on the project design. If the project requires more than $8,000 in reimbursable funds, FEDICE requests a guarantee of equal value to the community project (typically the title to some property of one of the association leaders or a beneficiary). In addition to jointly financing the projects and providing technical experts, FEDICE promotes a culture of savings at the individual and community level as a crucial aspect of self-sufficiency and prosperity. The accumulation of savings allows, after several years, the community to build up working capital for the group so that each member can access a higher individual fund each year and in the future each community is independent and able to work with its own funds.

Obligations: Both parties agree to fulfill obligations for a successful project:

FEDICE's Obligations

- Finance approximately 60% of the project in reimbursable funds

- Provide training, experience, and support for partner communities throughout the project

- Cover a percentage of the cost for technical assistance and training

Community Obligations

- Use reimbursable funds responsibly for direct project costs.

- Form an association for acquisitions and organizational purposes

- Contribute a percentage of money and in-kind/material contributions (agreed upon prior to receiving funds) to ensure the success of the project

- Receive periodic reimbursement funds among participating families

- Contribute to the community fund every month

- Responsible handling of animals, vegetables or materials for your specific project

- Regularly attend training and meetings throughout the project.

Project Implementation: Project activities begin with the purchase of animals, seeds, inputs, or merchandise. At this stage, the main challenges—typically the prices and/or quality of animals, seeds, or merchandise—are analyzed and resolved. At this stage, we also begin training on socioeconomic, organizational, agricultural, health, or sustainability topics. Topics are chosen through collaboration between FEDICE (based on our analysis and recommendations from specialists) and the community in partnership (based on their sense of relevance and need).

Follow-up: There are monthly meetings between the community and FEDICE to evaluate progress, provide training and resolve problems. This includes individual visits to productions and group meetings to discuss difficulties and seek solutions.

5. Evaluation

We begin the final stage with the recovery of the repayable funds that were provided to the communities. After this, we evaluate success based on several factors: Did the group repay the funds? Did they reach their stated goals? Did they attend trainings? And did they follow through on their commitments to the Project? If the answers are yes, then we generally continue working with this community, in most cases increasing the value of the repayable fund on projects until they reach a level of development where they no longer need our assistance. If the answers are no, then we consider whether the problems and challenges are correctable, or whether we should end the work with the community.