While those that know Runa in the states know us for guayusa, in Ecuador, Runa is actively involved in other projects outside of guayusa production. Fundación Runa, the Ecuadorian counterpart of our for profit, Runa LLC, works on a number of different initiatives to help local farmers and community members. These initiatives include conducting agricultural economic research to determine fair market prices for purchasing guayusa, and working in the Colonso Forest zone to protect the land while simultaneously helping farmers supplement their income.

Another effort is focused in supporting community development. As part of our ongoing Fair Trade certification, an executive board of farmers from the communities we work with has been assembled to oversee guayusa production and work on developing the Social Premium Fund. The Social Premium Fund, an integral part of our Fair Trade certification, dictates that 15% of Runa’s profit goes directly back to the farmers for use within their communities. The executive board that has been gathered is in charge of distributing these funds to benefit the communities.

In order to investigate where the funds could have the greatest impact, we have developed a Needs Assessment survey that covers multiple topics, from nutrition and health to finances and education. Each week Runa interns go out to communities and interview available individuals who help us form a picture of their communities and their most acute needs. Developed by interns Aliana Piñeiro and Jennifer Ferguson this past summer, the Needs Assessment surveys are meant to be purely informative, and not instructional, for communities. Through the surveys we hope to provide some quantitative information to help community leaders decide how to allocate the additional income their communities now have access to.  Are there certain areas that multiple communities identify as particularly in need of support? Are certain problems isolated to certain areas or districts within the Napo region? As we continue our interviews we look forward to gathering more data and working with communities to ensure that the Social Premium Fund is as effective as possible.