2026 Projects
Economic Development Community Project Proposals
Communities submit project proposals at the end of every year. You can now partially or fully fund a specific project with your donation. Please reach out to [email protected] if you would like to learn more about how to fund a community’s project.
Purchase of Alfalfa Seeds
Communities: Nueva Betania
Budget: $3,125
Beneficiaries: 18
All of the beneficiaries are smallholder farmers who rely primarily on livestock and agricultural production for their livelihoods, with fewer than half supplementing their income through small-scale commerce. This project aims to increase families’ milk production by planting and cultivating alfalfa for cattle consumption. As a nutrient-rich forage, alfalfa will improve the cattle’s diet by providing higher levels of protein and energy than traditional grazing alone.
Construction of Feeders
Community: Comunidad Campesina Angará Bajo
Budget: $3,750
Beneficiaries: 12
This project will support the installation of cattle troughs to improve the feeding and care of livestock. The troughs will allow farmers to provide forage and supplemental feed in a cleaner, more controlled way, reducing waste and ensuring that cattle receive adequate nutrition. By improving feeding practices and the animals’ overall health, the project will help increase the production of milk and other cattle-derived products. This, in turn, will enable families to generate additional income through the sale of these products while strengthening their livestock management practices.
Purchase of Display Cases
Communities: Virgen de Copacabana
Budget: $2,362
Beneficiaries: 10
This project will support the purchase of display cases that allow local potters to properly showcase their ceramic work. By providing a clean, organized, and professional way to present their pottery, artisans will be able to highlight the quality and craftsmanship of their products, making them more attractive to customers. Improved product visibility and presentation will help increase sales opportunities, allowing families to generate greater income from their pottery.
Shed Implementation
Community: Las Mercedes – Chijnaya
Budget: $3,750
Beneficiaries: 50
This project will support the construction of sheds for cattle to provide shelter and improve their overall wellbeing. Protecting livestock from harsh weather conditions such as intense sun, rain, and cold will reduce stress and illness while creating a healthier environment for the animals. With better protection and care, cattle are more likely to maintain good health and productivity, leading to improved milk and livestock production. As a result, families will be able to generate greater income through the sale of dairy products and other cattle-derived goods while strengthening their livestock management practices.
Purchase of Grinders and Mills
Community: Pucachupa
Budget: $2,812
Beneficiaries: 6
This project will support the purchase of grinders and mills that allow families to process grains and other feed ingredients for their cattle. By grinding and preparing feed locally, farmers can provide more nutritious and easily digestible food for their animals, improving their overall diet and health. Better nutrition will lead to stronger livestock and increased production of milk and other cattle-derived products. As a result, families who depend on livestock for their livelihoods will be able to improve productivity and generate greater income.
Stable Construction
Communities: Virgen de Fátima
Budget: $3,000
Beneficiaries: 20
This project will support the construction of stables that provide safe and secure housing for cattle. Proper stabling protects animals from harsh weather, reduces the risk of illness, and allows farmers to better manage feeding and care. With improved living conditions, cattle are more likely to remain healthy and productive, leading to higher milk yields and improved livestock quality.
Acquisition of Electric Extruders
Community: Nuevo Amanecer Kojra
Budget: $3,750
Beneficiaries: 6
This project will support the purchase of extruders used in the preparation of raw materials for ceramic production, which is the primary source of income for many families in the community. These tools will allow artisans to more efficiently process clay and other materials, improving the consistency and quality of the ceramic products they create. By strengthening the production process and reducing the time and labor required to prepare materials, potters will be able to increase their output and improve the quality of their work.
Purchase of Alfalfa Seeds
Community: – J.D. Choquehuanca
Budget: $3,125
Beneficiaries: 10
This project will support the purchase of alfalfa seeds for families to cultivate high-quality forage for their cattle. Alfalfa is a nutrient-rich crop that provides essential protein and energy, helping to improve the animals’ diet beyond what natural grazing alone can provide. By supplementing cattle feed with alfalfa, farmers can strengthen animal health and increase milk production. Improved livestock productivity will allow families who depend on cattle for their livelihoods to generate greater income through the sale of milk and other dairy products.
Water Projects
In 2026, The Chijnaya Foundation received three project proposals to support water projects in several different communities on the Island of Amantaní and in Pucara. These communities do not have consistent access to water within their homes.
We hope to partner with Occopampa, Ocosuyo, and Pucachupa to ensure 3 communities have basic water services which is foundational to the health and well being of their communities. The implementation of these projects is dependent upon the ability to fundraise the necessary funds. The total cost for all three projects is $30,000.
If you feel compelled to help support a water project, contact us or donate.
The Scholarship Program
The scholarship program aims to end the poverty cycle in rural communities by improving access to higher education . This year, 48 students have been selected to receive scholarships. 31 students plan to attend universities and 14 plan to attend technical institutes.
You can donate directly to the scholarship program and even create a named scholarship to honor someone special or create opportunities for students who are pursuing a particular field of study. Read about current named scholarships and find more information about creating these opportunities here.
The Group Savings Program
Savings groups give communities a way to save their money, earn interest, and take out low-interest loans. In 2025, the 21 savings groups saved a total of $430,738 and used their savings to invest in small business, medical, and educational expenses with the goal of strengthening their financial self reliance. 200 individuals completed a course by CARE Peru to learn the digital tool, Máxima, which will bolster their efforts to save money and grow their businesses.
Because of the growth that we have seen across our Savings Program, recently named the Waqaychasun Program (which means ‘together we’ll save’ in Quechua), we hired part-time help in 2025. In 2026 we have hired full-time help to continue supporting our programming.
The Group Savings Program will continue to assist interested communities in forming and facilitating savings groups in 2026. The program will also continue to provide communities with financial education to help them to grow their small businesses.
The Health Program
The Oral Health Program addresses communities’ needs for dental services and oral health education in the rural sector, with a specific focus on children. In 2026, the Oral Health Program will work with one primary school to improve the oral health of students by providing fluoride treatments, oral evaluations, and training sessions on oral hygiene.
Bofedales Project
This is a multi-year project, designed in partnership with five alpaca herding communities, that aims to improve their economic situation through the production of hand-spun alpaca yarn. Currently, these communities sell unprocessed alpaca fur for about $6 a kilogram and hand spun yarn is worth 10 times this amount per kilogram. This projects takes into account the many different factors that must be addressed for communities to be able to increase their income including reducing herd mortality rates, improving breeding practices, strengthening the organizational and administrative capacities of the local organizations involved, improving yarn production, and restoring and protecting the high wetland areas that make alpaca herding possible.
In 2026 we are working with these communities so that they can improve the marketing of their alpaca-fur products and increase their overall familiar income.
Join us in making a difference!