Qualifications
This internship is geared towards industry professionals and graduate students majoring in international development, affairs, business or a related field. Proficiency in English and Spanish is essential. Experience in Latin America and/or working in a rural setting is a plus.

Current Status of Research
The farmers association (also called the Producer Executive Body) was started in October 2011. For the past year, we have worked with the representatives facilitating meetings, helping to strategize on methods of organization and communication. The next few months will hopefully see the legalization of the association and the implementation of the first community development projects funded by the Social Premium Fund.

Intern Duties

• Coordinate administration for the association
• Attend all meetings and training sessions and take minutes
• Help to manage finances for the Social Premium Fund
• Accompany members of the association on trips to other cooperatives in Ecuador
• Facilitate training sessions in areas of expertise
• Assist in the implementation of community development projects
  

Description
Interns and researchers on our community development team will work with Runa Foundation to facilitate the development of the farmers association. Over the past year, Fundación Runa has been facilitating this development; holding training workshops, managing administration and coordinating with Fair Trade USA. The farmer's association is in charge of managing the Social Premium Fund under the requisites of Fair Trade USA. This is a unique opportunity to get first hand experience working with a new farmer's association and cooperative.

Project Objectives

• To facilitate the development of a farmer's association or cooperative for guayusa
• To train the association's members in essential skills such as administration and finance.
• To facilitate the creation of work and business plans with the association regarding the management of the Social Premium Fund