Ecuador is stepping into a powerful new chapter of inclusive growth. For years, communities across the country have worked to build stronger agricultural systems, create better jobs and respond to unique humanitarian challenges. Now, those efforts are getting a major boost.
Lutheran World Relief, part of the Corus International family of organizations, is officially expanding its presence and deepening its commitment to the people of Ecuador. During a landmark event in Quito on May 12, 2026, leaders from across the public, private and nonprofit sectors gathered to welcome a new era of global cooperation.
This renewed commitment focuses on expanding economic opportunities, boosting export competitiveness and empowering those who need it most — especially young people and women. Here is a look at what this expansion means for the future of sustainable development in Ecuador.
A new global actor joins Ecuador's development
The launch event in Quito, titled "A new global actor joins Ecuador's development," brought together key authorities, academic leaders, private sector representatives and international cooperation partners. The room buzzed with a shared vision: building strategies for productive development, dignified employment and lasting economic inclusion.
Galo Quizanga, Corus International’s Managing Director for Latin America and the Caribbean gives opening remarks.
Galo Quizanga, Corus International's Managing Director for Latin America and the Caribbean, set the stage by presenting Lutheran World Relief’s ambitious vision and work schedule for Ecuador. The focus is clear: true progress requires deep cross-sectoral collaboration.
A central panel, moderated by Daniel Legarda, former Ecuadorian Minister of Production, Foreign Trade, Investment and Fisheries, explored how to achieve greater impact. The consensus highlighted that modern cooperation must focus on generating sustainable impact, strengthening local capacities and connecting Ecuador with major global opportunities.
(From left to right) Moderator Daniel Legarda seated with panelists, Country Coordinator for Voluntarios ONU Ecuador Nicole King Duarte, Executive President of FedExpor Xavier Rosero, General Manager of D2 Snacks Hugo Ojeda, and Corus COO Mahmoud Bah.
Forging powerful alliances for the future
You cannot build sustainable local economies in isolation. That is why a major highlight of the evening was the signing of strategic Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) between Lutheran World Relief and two critical Ecuadorian trade organizations: FedExpor and ANECACAO.
Xavier Rosero, Executive President of FedExpor, and Merlyn Casanova, Executive Director of ANECACAO, represented their respective organizations in signing these agreements. These partnerships aim to:
- Strengthen the competitiveness of the export sector.
- Boost environmental and economic sustainability.
- Promote the integration of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) into larger value chains.
- Generate formal, sustainable employment opportunities, particularly for young people and women.
By working directly with producers, industry leaders and international partners, Lutheran World Relief is helping position Ecuadorian products, like its world-renowned cocoa, with high standards of quality and sustainability.
Building on a foundation of success
While this event marked a bold new commitment, Lutheran World Relief is not new to Ecuador. As part of Corus International, the organization has actively delivered innovative solutions alongside local partners since 2018.
The work spans several critical areas, including regenerative agriculture, the strengthening of rural economies, youth employability, humanitarian response and targeted health interventions. By co-creating solutions with local and central governments, academic institutions, and the private sector, Lutheran World Relief drives efficiency and evidence-based decision-making.
Empowering cocoa and coffee farmers
A prime example of this ongoing impact is the USDA Food for Progress Maximizing Opportunities in Coffee and Cacao in the Americas (MOCCA) project. Through MOCCA, Lutheran World Relief has benefited more than 9,100 cocoa producers in Ecuador alone. The initiative mobilized more than $10.3 million in productive digital credit, helping farmers improve their yields, secure better prices and build profitable supply chains for the future.
Digital innovation and workforce development
To reach vulnerable populations at scale, Lutheran World Relief leverages digital innovation and holistic support systems. During the Quito event, the team highlighted several flagship initiatives that are transforming realities on the ground:
- Empleando Mentes: A digital platform that uniquely connects mental health support with employability, offering youth professional guidance and the tools to develop crucial soft skills.
- Cacao Móvil and Mobile Coffee: Digital training platforms that deliver agricultural extension support directly to the mobile phones of rural producers, offering a comprehensive guide to crop cultivation and disease treatment.
- SUMARSE: A workforce development initiative designed to strengthen the employability, retention and well-being of vulnerable workers in the export sector by integrating psychosocial support and mindfulness into training.
- Paso Seguro: A program focused on economic inclusion, employability and holistic support for people in situations of human mobility. It combines immediate humanitarian assistance with long-term interventions to build job readiness and foster social cohesion.
Looking ahead: A partnership for real change
The challenges facing rural economies and vulnerable populations require innovative, market-driven solutions. With the official expansion of Lutheran World Relief in Ecuador, the country gains a dedicated partner committed to inclusive development and long-term sustainability.
Karen Córdova, project manager at Lutheran World Relief, emphasized during the launch, the organization remains deeply committed to working closely within local territories. By aligning humanitarian responses with labor market realities and private-sector engagement, Lutheran World Relief and Corus International are helping communities transform their realities and unlock new, lasting opportunities.
News coverage
La Data: #Tendencia Ecuador suma un nuevo aliado estratégico: ¡Bienvenido Lutheran World Relief!
La Data: #Tendencia “Sin compromiso social y ambiental, no hay alianza posible”