De un vistazo
Location: Ecuador
Impact Areas: Suppliers, Environment, Cultural Conservation
People Supported:
Artisans, Indigenous Peoples
NESsT Program: Amazonia Initiative
Incorporación a NESsT Portafolio:
2025
Visión general
Asotexkich es una asociación textil dirigida por mujeres que reúne a 27 artesanos -23 mujeres y cuatro hombres- de seis comunidades kichwas. Lo que comenzó como una pequeña iniciativa en 2016 se ha convertido en un esfuerzo colectivo para apoyar a las familias locales, responder a la creciente demanda y mantener vivo el patrimonio cultural a través de la ropa tradicional.
Located in Arajuno, the province of Pastaza, Ecuador, Asotexkich produces garments and textiles rooted in Kichwa tradition. Its work includes traditional clothing like maki kutunas, or traditional blouses, skirts, shirts, and pants, in addition to culturally inspired textiles, such as bags and accessories, sportswear, and uniforms. The work of its artisans is popular among local communities and small business owners who seek high-quality items with cultural meaning.
Beyond its commercial success, Asotexkich serves as a vital platform for preserving Kichwa cultural heritage through textile arts. Many Indigenous families in rural Ecuador struggle with limited economic opportunities, often forcing migration to cities in search of better livelihoods, a trend that risks eroding traditional craftsmanship. By formalizing its operations, the association provides stable incomes for Indigenous families while preventing the loss of valuable artisanal knowledge. It actively revives at-risk designs and techniques, incorporating ancestral symbols and natural dyes into contemporary pieces. This model demonstrates how cultural preservation and economic development can reinforce each other in Indigenous communities.
Asotexkich also works to actively promote the economic empowerment of women in Kichwa communities. Female employees and supplier partners receive equal wages to men, and flexible working conditions, such as reduced hours or adjusted schedules, are implemented for those with caregiving responsibilities. Additionally, the association prioritizes ongoing training programs to strengthen women’s technical and leadership skills, with dedicated funding to support their growth.
Resultados e impacto
27
Indigenous families supported
500%
above poverty line in worker income expected by 2027
83%
woman
100%
Indigenous representation in management since 2021
“We appreciate NESsT’s commitment to supporting our textile venture rooted in the cultural identity of the towns and nationalities. NESsT’s support has been a keystone for our growth, strengthening our productive capacity and improving the quality of our products. In this way, we can continue creating garments that honor our roots and share stories that benefit our communities.”
NESsT Inversión
Despite its achievements, Asotexkich faces challenges in scaling its impact, including limited access to modern equipment, competition from low-priced imported textiles, and the need for broader market access.
NESsT and its regional partner, the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of the Ecuadorian Amazon (CONFENIAE), will work alongside Asotexkich to enhance its financial management, boost digital literacy, and improve impact management and measurement. By contributing to the association’s growth strategy, NESsT will support Asotexkich to increase its artisans’ income and further improve the livelihoods of communities in Arajuno.
NESsT's investment will support Asotexkich to develop new training programs for its artisans in various modern and sustainable textile techniques, in order to strengthen productive capacity and improve product quality. It will also support Asotexkich and its members to acquire modern textile equipment and continue using traditional Kichwa designs and sustainable materials, contributing to the preservation of cultural heritage while creating economic opportunities in the Ecuadorian Amazon.