Viviana Varela, choreographer, dancer, and cultural manager, has dedicated her life to preserving and promoting the cultural identity of the Galápagos Islands since 1989. With a solid background in Basic Education and a career enriched by experiences in prominent cultural institutions in Ecuador, Viviana has left a profound mark on her community. As the founder of CENDA in 1994, she has empowered local artists and created a pathway for the artistic development of young talents, generating a positive and lasting impact on society.
You can donate to this project through any of our three partners. If you would like to talk to us directly, and/or speak with the project leader, please contact us at info@co-galapagos.org.
The project Roots and Wings for the Future: Danzareco aims to address the lack of access to artistic, cultural, and environmental activities by applying a circular economy principle for youth in the Galápagos. It creates spaces for leisure activities to break down barriers that limit personal and social development, while also strengthening cultural identity in a context of growing external influence and environmental challenges that threaten local biodiversity and heritage.
“Danzareco” is an initiative by Fundación CENDA Galápagos that seeks to empower youth and adults through training in performing arts and the promotion of sustainable practices. This project not only focuses on artistic development but also integrates the concept of a circular economy by teaching participants to create bags and accessories with a story, using repurposed garments that carry memories, anecdotes, or history. Participants will learn design and sewing techniques, transforming textiles that would otherwise be discarded into useful and creative products. This approach not only fosters creativity and self-expression but also contributes to waste reduction and the efficient use of existing resources, aligning with Galápagos’ sustainability goals.
1. Train 60 youth and adults in Performing Arts and Sustainability, covering dance techniques, product design, and sewing using repurposed garments as raw material.
2. Promote the Circular Economy through workshops that teach participants to transform unused clothing into bags and accessories.
3. Promote Cultural Identity among youth by integrating local artistic practices into the workshops.
4. Generate Social and Community Impact by encouraging active community participation in cultural and sustainability activities.
SDG 4: Quality Education, by training 60 youth and adults in performing arts and sustainable design, providing valuable tools for their personal and professional development.
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: by equipping participants with skills that can generate income and stimulate creative entrepreneurship.
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: Danzareco contributes to building more cohesive and resilient communities through artistic activities that strengthen cultural identity and a sense of belonging.
SDG 12: Responsible Production and Consumption: through the creation of products from unused garments with history, fostering circular economy practices and waste reduction.
SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: by collaborating with local organizations and institutions, a support network is created that strengthens the project’s sustainability and growth, benefiting the community as a whole.
| Phase | Activity | Buget |
|---|---|---|
| Phase 1: Training in Performing Arts and Sustainable Design | Workshops in dance, artistic expression, design, and creation of recycled products. | $2200,00 Require Funding (The value includes 10% of Overhead for the administration of the Co-Galapagos initiative) |
| Phase 2: Implementation of the Circular Economy | Workshops on textile recycling techniques and the creation of products (bags and accessories) from recycled garments. | $1760,00 Require Funding (The value includes 10% of Overhead for the administration of the Co-Galapagos initiative) |
| Phase 3: Presentations and Exhibitions | Organization of artistic presentations and product exhibition event. | $1100,00 Require Funding (The value includes 10% of Overhead for the administration of the Co-Galapagos initiative) |
| Phase 4: Monitoring and Evaluation | Evaluation of the project's impact and collection of testimonials | $330,00 Require Funding (The value includes 10% of Overhead for the administration of the Co-Galapagos initiative) |
