The UNESCO Amazon Water Resilience Challenge – Ecuador 2025 is a youth-focused innovation program designed to support sustainable water management in the Podocarpus–El Cóndor Biosphere Reserve in southern Ecuador.
Launched in April 2025, the program invites 25 students and young professionals to join the Biosphere Academy, where they develop practical and original solutions to water-related challenges affecting the reserve and the communities that depend on it. The Podocarpus–El Cóndor Biosphere Reserve is one of Ecuador’s most ecologically significant landscapes, known for its exceptional biodiversity and critical water ecosystems. At the same time, the area faces growing pressures from deforestation, agricultural expansion, mining, infrastructure development, water pollution, water scarcity, and flooding. These challenges affect both the region’s flora and fauna and the livelihoods of around half a million people living in and around the reserve.
The program combines online and in-person training, field learning, mentoring, and pilot implementation support. Participants receive expert-led training on topics such as water management, biodiversity, environmental economics, problem analysis, and implementation planning. They then work in teams to develop solution concepts that respond to real challenges in the biosphere reserve. Selected teams will receive seed funding to pilot their solutions on the ground, supported by local and international mentors throughout the implementation process.
As part of the preparation phase, The Water Agency visited Ecuador from 31 March to 4 April 2025 to strengthen local partnerships and build expert support for the program. During the visit, meetings were held with a wide range of government agencies, universities, youth organizations, and NGOs. These discussions focused on the local water challenges in the biosphere reserve and the role that youth-led innovation can play in building resilience.
This collaborative foundation between UNESCO, local partners, and The Water Agency creates a strong platform for youth action, knowledge exchange, and long-term impact in one of Ecuador’s most important biosphere reserves.
