Aliados Usa

Programs: Landscapes- runa foundation focuses on research intended to better manage agroforestry systems in the amazon. Agroforestry systems are agricultural systems that mimic forest ecosystem by creating a diversified source of income and food for local people while alsop protecting crucial habitat for forest animals and maintaining important stocks of carbon that mitigate climate change. Runa foundation's ecosystem program is overseen by dr. Florencia montagnini, a senior researcher at yale university and yolanda kakabadse, the president of wwf (world wildlife foundation) international. Runa foundation conducts this research both in the ecuadorian amazon as well as in the peruvian amazon through our partner organization rios nete.

livelihoods- runa foundation works with 2500 indigenous farmers in the ecuadorian amazon that produce guayusa tea, a newly commercialized tea like plant that is native to the region. Runa foundation supports these farmers in the creation of 10 fair trade certified producer cooperatives. Runa foundation provides technical assistance and capacity building to these groups so they can comply with fair trade standards. In 2013, runa foundation focused three particular areas of support- the creation of cooperative work plans, communication strategies, and financial literacy. Runa foundation also supported these cooperatives through the annual fair trade audit conducted by scientific certification systems under fair trade usa's standard for independent small holder farmers. Runa foundation's fair market program is overseen by michael conroy who is an economist that is currently the chairman of the board of forest stewardship council and was formerly the president of transfair, the fair trade labeling organization.

plant research- runa foundation is supporting the work of a peruvian non-profit organization, asociacion civil rios nete, to develop a research center focused on the research and development of native plant medicines. This project works in conjunction with indigenous health practicioners to identify ancestral knowledge of native plants for positive potential health benefits. In 2013, runa foundation put together a special advisory board to leading us oncologists to oversee preliminary research on the use of native plants in cancer treatment.

runa foundation maintains a volunteer and internship program in ecuador and peru. Students and other interested adults travel to ecuador and peru to assist in a variety of our prohects. Runa foundation charges $200/week and most volunteers and interns stay for a minimum of 6 weeks. The program is primarilly educational. Interns and volunteers learn about the livelihoods of local people in the amazon as well as the ecological contect of the region.