At a Glance
Location: Archidona, Napo, Ecuador
Impact Areas: Sustainable Income, Environmental Conservation, Cultural Preservation
People Supported:
Women, Smallholder Farmers, Indigenous Peoples and local communities
Joined NESsT Portfolio:
2024
Overview
The Indigenous-led association, Wayusa Ruku Kawsay, brings together members from 14 Kichwa communities in the Ecuadorian Amazon to grow, process, and sell guayusa (Ilex guayusa) – a sacred Amazonian plant known for its natural energizing effects. The name ‘Ruku Kawsay’ means “ancestral life” in Kichwa, reflecting the association's goals to use this traditional plant to reconnect with and sustain Indigenous knowledge and livelihoods.
Formed in 2017, Ruku Kawsay began by selling fresh, organically grown guayusa leaves and later expanded into processing value-added products, including guayusa-based drinks and dried tea leaves, with support from key partners including the Ecuadorian Ministry of Agriculture. It sells fresh leaves to a major national exporter and distributes its processed products locally mainly to eco-lodges and tourism centers.
Today, Wayusa Ruku Kawsay supports 375 Kichwa community members to cultivate guayusa under fair trade and organic principles, ensuring stable and dignified income for local families. Ruku Kawsay producers grow their guayusa in line with the chakra agroforestry system. This traditional way of farming respects local biodiversity, with a strong focus on forest conservation and the community’s relationship with their land.
Ruku Kawsay’s work not only strengthens the economic resilience of Kichwa communities but also preserves cultural heritage and promotes sustainable land stewardship. By combining traditional knowledge with entrepreneurship, Ruku Kawsay is creating meaningful impact, supporting livelihoods, protecting biodiversity, and sharing the benefits of ancestral plants like guayusa with the world.
Results & Impact
100%
Indigenous people in management positions
+50%
women in management
+300
hectares of crops under sustainable practices
“NESsT has been a fundamental partner, playing a crucial role in strengthening the Ruku Kawsay PKR Association and developing its administrative, productive, and commercial capacities, highlighting guayusa as a symbol of cultural identity and sustainability. This collaboration has not only driven our economic progress but also renewed our commitment to preserving the ancestral knowledge of the Kichwa people. We now share with the world a product born from the heart of the Amazon, one that embodies our resilience and collective vision.”
NESsT Investment
Ruku Kawsay joined the NESsT portfolio seeking support to professionalize its operations and expand the market reach of its guayusa products. With backing from CONFENIAE and NESsT, the association is strengthening its business operations while strengthening its commitment to Indigenous communities and sustainable practices.
The NESsT and CONFENIAE teams will support Ruku Kawsay in improving key business areas, including financial management, market strategy, and governance. Ruku Kawsay will use NESsT’s investment to directly increase sales of guayusa-based products by covering organic certification costs for all members, which is essential for meeting export standards. Through mentoring sessions, Ruku Kawsay entrepreneurs will work on formalizing operations for suppliers and employees, while developing strategies to reach new clients and creating investor pitches. NESsT will also provide specific support to measure the association's environmental and social impact.