Social Entrepreneurship with Indigenous Cacao Farmer Association

The Amazon rainforest is one of the most biodiverse ecosystems in the world, home to over 40,000 plant species used for food, medicine, and artisan goods. While only a few products—such as cacao and guayusa—have been widely commercialized, emerging markets are creating new opportunities for sustainable, forest-based economies.

In this program, interns live and work with Indigenous Amazonian farming families. They gain hands-on experience in regenerative agriculture, value chains, and small-scale production systems.

The internship explores how farmer associations and local enterprises build economic resilience while protecting the forest and maintaining cultural traditions. It offers a close look at the intersection of ancestral knowledge, sustainability, and social entrepreneurship.

Potential activities include:

• Collaborate with an association of Indigenous cacao farmers producing chocolate for national and international markets
• Live and work in a rural community, supporting cacao farming through planting, harvesting, and agroforestry practices
• Assist in daily operations, including production (fermentation, drying, grinding), inventory, quality control, and factory support
• Support certification processes by shadowing field technicians working on organic and Fair Trade standards
• Contribute to communications by managing social media, documenting stories, and engaging with visitors and partners
• Conduct market research to expand distribution and promote products like cacao, guayusa, and vanilla
• Participate in community outreach, events, and cultural exchange, including language sharing and guiding tour.

Interns live with host families, allowing them to forge meaningful connections with locals during their time in the Amazon.