Youth and ancestral territories
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Cayambe, Provincia de Pichincha, Ecuador - Show Map ↓
The Andean youth collective empowers communities through urban agriculture, agroecological fairs, and artistic expression, reimagining sustainable urban living that honours traditions.

Mishell Catucuamba
Key objectives
The youth collective will:
- Establish more community vegetable gardens in collaboration with local schools and families, aiming for a garden in each participating school’s vicinity.
- Organise a bi-monthly agroecological fair featuring products from local family gardens, led by women.
- Develop and implement a series of art workshops focused on sustainable practices, attracting young participants, with a goal of increasing the reach of participants.
- Coordinate cultural events celebrating traditional Andean ceremonies in sacred places, with community members, aiming to increase the total reach and attendance by the end of the year.
Cultivating Change in the Andes: Empowering Youth to Reimagine Sustainable Urban Living
A passionate youth collective in the Andes is transforming urban living by promoting responsible consumption and ecological stewardship. Working alongside adults and children, they cultivate a future that values the region’s natural heritage.
Empowering Communities with Greener Choices
The collective champions initiatives that empower communities:
Urban Agriculture: They promote the creation of vegetable gardens, fostering responsible food consumption and local production.
Agroecological Fairs: They organise fairs showcasing local, healthy produce grown in family gardens, particularly those led by women, supporting sustainable agriculture.
Reconciliation & Responsibility: Honoring Traditions Guides the Future
Believing cultural preservation is key, the collective celebrates ancestral wisdom through traditional Andean ceremonies held in sacred places, fostering a connection to the land and responsible consumption practices.
Art as a Catalyst for Change
The power of creativity inspires action through artistic expression. Art courses and workshops promote the importance of conserving natural resources, raising awareness and encouraging sustainable practices.
Youth at the Helm: Leading by Example
All initiatives are spearheaded by young people (16-28 years old) with community support. They stand as living proof that young people are powerful agents of change.