In the beautiful province of Tungurahua, Ecuador, María Bayas, a devoted blackberry producer, has become a living example of adaptation and resilience to climate change. An active participant in the San José Savings and Credit Cooperative, María has been an essential part of the Resilient Andes to Climate Change project, an initiative aimed at contributing to the resilience and adaptive capacity to climate change of Andean rural populations in Ecuador, Bolivia, and Peru.
The green credit pilot, which engaged several cooperatives across Ecuador, had the objective of enhancing the technical and managerial skills required for the implementation of green microcredit initiatives. These credits are specifically designed to bolster family agriculture, considering the risks linked to climate change, and advocating for sustainable adaptation methods.
The video we share shows María Bayas’s story and illustrates how access to green microcredits has significantly improved her capacity to adapt to evolving circumstances, safeguarding the welfare of her community and the sustainability of her surroundings. Through this initiative, the Resilient Andes to Climate Change project not only seeks to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change but also to enhance the microfinance sector in Andean countries, demonstrating that sustainable development and climate resilience go hand in hand.
We welcome you to watch this inspiring video and learn more about María and how she, along with the San José Savings and Credit Cooperative, is forging a resilient path forward, facing the challenges of climate change with hope and concrete action.
About Resilient Andes
The Resilient Andes to Climate Change project is a regional initiative driven by the Climate, Disaster Risk Reduction, and Environment Section of the International Cooperation – SDC from the Lima Regional Hub. The project is implemented in Peru, Ecuador, and Bolivia by the HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation-Fundación Avina consortium.
Useful links:
FS Resilient Andes to Climate Change
Web Resilient Andes to Climate Change
