Instituto Chaikuni

Regeneration of degraded landscapes and revitalization of traditional knowledge through permaculture design training and the creation of eco-social entrepreneurship opportunities for indigenous and mestizo communities of the Peruvian Amazon. We seek to challenge current models of development, which value life only for its contribution to economic growth and not social and environmental well-being. These models have historically excluded the traditions of local communities as well as ignored the biophysical limits and environmental sustainability of development. Thus, we promote community development that supports and is in alignment with the protection and regeneration of natural ecosystems and the preservation and restoration of indigenous cultural traditions. We are working towards a new direction for development focusing on supporting place-based economies comprising of small, locally owned enterprises that function within a community-supported ethical culture to engage people in producing for the needs of the community and its members.