Community Economics promotes community development through community based production and service businesses. It strengthens the leaders of these community based organizations so that they can be more effective agents to improve the quality of life in their villages. This program guides three central projects: community savings and loans associations, community retail stores and production cooperatives.

Many people and private institutions maintain that indigenous peoples and communities lack basic skills and ability and for that reason one most “aid them” and/or teach them. Our Program presumes that contrary, that indigenous peoples already possess sufficient skills and capacity to improve their own lives. Our work builds upon the “know-how” which rural indigenous peoples already possess.

GOALS INCLUDE

• Provide followup, support and evaluation tools to 18 community-based organizations.
• Carry out three Regional workshops (Coast, Southern Sierra, Central Valleys) selecting a specific technical or organizational theme for each workshop.
• Offer three trainings for leaders of community based organizations.
• Organize 5 trainings along technical themes retaining the services of outside experts competent in these areas (eg: bee-keeping, organic farming, marketing goods, pricing strategies, etc)
• Work continuously to maintain the links and communications of REGUESA, the grassroots organization which links the these 18 community based organizations.
• Offer two service learning experiences for students of the Mexican Technological University.

PROGRAM COORDINATOR: Elisa Castillo Morga

STUDIES: Bachelor degree. Ongoing studies: Grassroots / Popular Education Methodology provided by Sister Cities; Learning Theories offered by the SEP; Bridge Methods; Design and Implementation of Development Projects offered by the CEE, Motivational Games to Build Creativity by the SEP, Seminar of Fiscal Accounting bythe Community Foundation of Oaxaca, Games and Dynamics of Human Rights by Amnesty International, Grant-writing workshop by the Vamos foundation in Querétaro, Workshop on Citizenship Participation in the National Network: “All Legal Rights for Everyone”, Certificate in Human Rights by the Centre of Human Rights - Miguel Agustín Pro Juárez
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE: Ten (10) years work experience. 1994-1995: Intern with the Salesians of Manso, Tuextepec. 1995: Intern with the Fransiscan Sisters in La Humedad, Santiago Ixtayula working in economic development projects. 1996: Health Promotor with Niño a Niño of Mexico A. C., Coordinator if Isthmus Region. 2000-2002: Director of Education at the Human Rights Centre Bartolomé Carrasco, A. C. 2002 to present: Coordinator of the Community Economics Program at EDUCA.

PROGRAM ASSISTANT: Aracely Carvajal Morales

Age: 28 years old
Sudies: BachelorsDegree
Born in Salina Cruz, Oax.
She participated in the coordination of Catholic Church Youth Work in Salina Cruz - Oaxaca, Cuajinicuilapa - Guerrero, and Mexico City. She has also worked in Community Banks and Community Stores in Cuajinicuilapa, Guerrero. She has focussed especially on work with women for the last two years. She collaborated in the coordination of a formation center for men and women in Mexico City. For two years she lived in the city of Santa Fe of Bogota Colombia where she planned and coordinated a job placement project with teens. She participated in the creation, publication and dissemination of materials on the Latin America Trade Agremeent in Mexico City with REMALC - Mexican Network Against NAFTA.