In rural communities across Ecuador, women and young Indigenous people are finding in geographic data management and traceability much more than technical tools. In a context where value chains must adapt to new international requirements, such as the European Union Regulation on Deforestation-free Products (EUDR), these tools have also become an opportunity to build capacities, gain confidence and actively participate in shaping the future of their organizations and territories.
For many years, processes such as georeferencing, data collection and the use of digital tools were often led by men or external actors. Through the SAFE project and its Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) approach, rural women and young people began to engage directly in these activities, showing that access to knowledge can also transform social dynamics and open new opportunities.
The process combined training in traceability, georeferencing and digital tools with the strengthening of soft skills such as leadership, communication and decision-making. Beyond technical learning, the experience enabled many participants to recognize themselves as leaders who can contribute to their organizations and communities, especially in response to the challenge of demonstrating more sustainable and deforestation-free cocoa and coffee supply chains.
Monitoring results highlight the scope of this good practice: 24 participants from Lago Agrio/Sucumbíos and El Coca/Orellana were trained in geospatial tools for traceability and EUDR. Women represented 62.5% of participants, and 68% of survey respondents were young people between 18 and 35 years old. In addition, 16 out of 22 participants reported that they had never received similar training before. By the end of the process, 20 participants rated their increase in knowledge as 4 or 5 out of 5, and practical assessments showed improvements in both Orellana and Sucumbíos.
Now I can map my farm, understand the information and explain why it matters.
For many women and young people, this was the first time they had used digital tools or taken part in technical processes linked to sustainability and market access.
As the activities progressed, organizational dynamics also began to shift. More women and young people took part in organizational activities, shared their ideas and contributed to addressing challenges related to traceability and sustainability. The experience showed that when inclusive and accessible spaces are created, capacities emerge and voices that were once less visible begin to take a central role.
To share these experiences, two communication products were developed. The podcast Routes of Transformation: Women and Young People Mapping the Future – Episode 2 brings together real testimonies on challenges, learning and personal growth, while the illustrated comic transforms these stories into a close, visual and accessible narrative.
This experience shows that moving towards deforestation-free value chains does not depend only on technology or regulatory compliance. It also requires inclusion, participation and opportunities for more people to be part of the change. Today, in the Ecuadorian Amazon, more and more rural and Indigenous women and young people are mapping their territories while tracing new pathways towards more sustainable and inclusive development.
Discover their stories: listen to Routes of Transformation: Women and Young People Mapping the Future – Episode 2 and read the illustrated comic (available only in Spanish).
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