CARE International’s history in Ecuador
CARE began working in Ecuador in 1962, initially supporting Indigenous communities to improve access to education, livelihoods, and essential services.
Since then, we've built a long-standing presence across the country, working in both rural and urban areas to address poverty, inequality, and social exclusion.
CARE has worked with communities to improve livelihoods, strengthen local food systems, and increase opportunities for women and girls. We focus particularly on strengthening women-led and women’s rights organizations by providing flexible funding.
In recent years, CARE Ecuador has also played an important role in the recognition of labor rights of paid domestic workers across Latin America and in supporting Venezuelan migrant families.
CARE and partners’ work in Ecuador today
Today, CARE Ecuador and our partners help fight poverty and inequality in Ecuador, with a focus on women and girls.
Our work focuses on:
Food and water
CARE works with rural communities and farmers to improve food production, protect natural resources, and strengthen local food systems. This includes supporting farming practices that help families grow more food and better cope with changing weather. We also support access to safe water and promote hygiene practices to help communities stay healthy.
Health
We support access to essential health services, including sexual and reproductive health, HIV prevention, and psychosocial support, particularly for women, young people, and vulnerable communities.
Making the economy work for women
CARE supports women and communities to strengthen their livelihoods and earn a more stable income. Through savings groups, women can save money, take small loans, and start or grow small individual and collective businesses. All these resources help women achieve financial independence. CARE also helps connect people to markets and opportunities so they can better support their families.
Climate
CARE works with communities to respond to environmental challenges by improving farming practices and helping protect natural resources. We support communities to prepare for and adapt to climate change impacts. We work closely with the private sector and national and local authorities to prepare for the risk of climate-related and natural disasters.
Gender equality
We work with communities to prevent violence against women and girls, to promote co-responsibilities of care economy labor rights, challenge harmful social norms, and support women’s leadership and participation in community life.
Crisis response
As an official member of the National Risk Management System and the Humanitarian Country Team, CARE Ecuador provides an immediate response to crises, including earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and floods.
We also provide humanitarian support to Venezuelan refugees and migrants in Ecuador. Working with local partners, we provide cash and voucher assistance, hygiene support, and access to protection, health, and information services to help families rebuild their lives.
Additionally, CARE Ecuador strengthens community resilience by integrating disaster risk management, climate adaptation, and anticipatory early response systems to reduce vulnerabilities and protect lives and livelihoods.
Partnerships
CARE works closely with local partners to ensure our efforts meet communities’ needs and are locally-led. CARE Ecuador is one of the first country offices to adopt an impact network approach within the CARE Confederation.
We believe in equal partnerships, flexible funding, and shared ownership of processes, supported by technical and financial guidance, safeguards, and accountability. This approach strengthens territorial legitimacy, accelerates results, and builds institutional capacity.
CARE Ecuador partners with different sectors, including women’s organizations, networks, academia, private companies, and public institutions. Some of our 20+ partners (most of them women-led organizations) include: Plataforma de Mujeres Caminando hacia la Igualdad, FULULU, Alas de Colibrí, Proyecto Transgénero, Federación de Mujeres de Sucumbíos, OMICSE, Fundación Ciudadanas del Mundo, Colectivo Sordas Feministas, SURKUNA, Fundación Chuquiragua, Unión de Trabajadoras Remuneradas del Hogar y Afines, FLACSO, and CERES.
Advocacy
CARE Ecuador is recognized for its support in strengthening and developing national and local policies, as well as for building the capacity of its partner organizations and community leaders to spearhead these processes. This work is carried out at both the national and Latin American levels.
Focus on women and girls
Women and girls are at the center of CARE’s work in Ecuador.
We work with women farmers, entrepreneurs, community leaders, and women-led organizations to strengthen economic opportunities, build financial independence, and expand access to rights and services.
CARE and our partners support women and girls to:
- Strengthen livelihoods and access economic opportunities
- Improve access to health services and information
- Live free from violence and access support services
- Participate in leadership and community decision-making
Through savings groups, business support, and leadership initiatives, women can increase their income and play a stronger role in their communities.
By working with women and girls, we help strengthen families, communities, and local economies across Ecuador.
Learn more about CARE Ecuador’s work here.
