Guayaquil, October 3, 2025 - The Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral (ESPOL) hosted an event to recognize and award funds to the 20 initiatives selected in the first call for proposals for AgroConCiencia competitive grants, which promote the reduction of hazardous pesticide use in agriculture and strengthen sustainable agrifood systems in Ecuador.
The call for proposals is part of the implementation of the project “Financing Agrochemical Reduction and Management (FARM Ecuador),” an initiative led by the Ministry of Environment and Energy (MAE) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries (MAGP), with technical support from the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF).
During the event, national authorities, representatives from academia, community organizations, and strategic partners recognized the efforts of the winning organizations, which will receive technical support and non-reimbursable funding to implement agroecological projects in more than 13 provinces across the country.
The 20 initiatives were selected from more than 310 applications received from across the country, following a technical evaluation process that prioritized agroecological approaches, scientific innovation, positive environmental impact, and the participation of women and young people.
Among the recognized projects are proposals for biocontrol with native microorganisms, production of bio-inputs, agroforestry management, and the formation of networks of women farmers, among others. They will be implemented mainly in the provinces of Manabí, Guayas, Napo, Galápagos, Cotopaxi, Imbabura, Carchi, and Esmeraldas, benefiting more than 7,000 people directly and indirectly.
AgroConCiencia is a pilot co-financing model promoted by the FARM Ecuador project to channel resources to local actors who are leading sustainable transformations in rural areas. This process will mobilize around $1,400,000 in non-reimbursable funds and counterpart funds for each initiative, accompanied by technical assistance and continuous training processes for the 20 initiatives.
Read the full press release in Spanish on the UNDP Ecuador website.