The UNESCO Amazon Water Resilience Challenge – Ecuador 2025 reached an important milestone with the completion of its pilot implementation phase and Grand Final event, celebrating seven months of learning, collaboration, and real community impact across the Podocarpus–El Cóndor Biosphere Reserve.
The first pilot focused on improving access to safe drinking water in Playas de Cuje, Zumbi (Zamora Chinchipe). The community had long faced disruptions caused by heavy rainfall damaging the local water intake system. In response, the team improved the water intake structure by adding a sand separator system, rehabilitated the damaged water storage tank, and carried out reforestation and living fence activities to protect the surrounding watershed.
In Chapamarca, El Tambo, the team addressed increasing drought and soil degradation affecting local farmers. Working closely with 35 smallholder farmers, the project introduced practical climate-resilient agricultural techniques, including the use of biodegradable hydrogel to retain soil moisture, as well as composting, organic fertilizer production, and watershed restoration. The team also planted 190 tara trees to support land restoration and diversify local livelihoods.
The third pilot was implemented in Loja, where the Malacatos River faces pollution, sedimentation, and limited public engagement. The team developed an education and communication-based approach to reconnect local communities with the river. A standout result of the project was the creation of a solar-powered interactive scale model of the Malacatos River, equipped with sensors measuring turbidity, temperature, and flow levels.
The program concluded with the Grand Final event on 14 November 2025, announcing the winning team and acknowledging all the teams for their commitment and results.
For The Water Agency, this program represents more than a challenge format. It demonstrates how youth-led innovation, local partnerships, and practical field implementation can generate meaningful results for water resilience in Ecuador’s Amazon landscapes.
