Reciprocity in qualitative research represents a fundamental shift towards an ethical and responsible approach, requiring a respectful stance that acknowledges the knowledge shared by participants as a gift to be valued and reciprocated, thus honoring the culture and wisdom of the participants (Lavallée, 2009). It is essential for qualitative researchers, particularly those working with populations with colonial legacies, to critically examine and apply decolonizing methodological practices in their research (Thambinathan & Kinsella, 2021).

Following this perspective, we present the experiences of the Ecuadorian team participating in WP3 of the ToBe project, focusing on the reciprocity actions conducted in the case studies in Imbabura province, Ecuador. Notably, these activities and the budget allocated for their financing were considered from the outset in the planning of the Ecuadorian team’s activities.

UNORCAC

The ToBe Ecuador team began their work with UNORCAC (Unión de Organizaciones Campesinas Indígenas de Cotacachi) in December 2023 to understand the needs of the community and contribute from a reciprocity approach. In this initial phase, they conducted interviews, field observations, and workshops to identify the primary needs of the communities within the organization. Consequently, a training program in community project formulation was planned and designed in collaboration with UNORCAC leaders. This program aimed to empower local youth in creating projects capable of attracting funding and improving the communities’ quality of life. The training comprised seven in-person workshops and six virtual sessions, totaling 40 hours of instruction. During the sessions, participants learned to define objectives, plan tasks and activities, and create organized schedules. They were also instructed in identifying needs and available resources, as well as in strategies for engaging key stakeholders in their projects. The program’s inauguration and closing were marked by Kichwa ceremonies, underscoring the cultural significance of the process and strengthening community bonds. As a result of this training, UNORCAC youth developed three project proposals focused on social, environmental, and economic themes. They also decided to design a project to enhance the productive capacity of the community enterprise Sumak Mikuy to apply for an open grant from the Secretariat for the Development of Indigenous Peoples and Nationalities of Ecuador, seeking approximately USD 400,000.

UNCISA

The Ecuadorian team collaborated with the Union of Indigenous Communities of San Rafael (UNCISA) in improving their community cemetery, responding to the need to transform it into a comfortable and welcoming place for visitors. During their first visit in December 2023, the team participated in various activities to understand local dynamics, including visits to the Otavalo market, artisan ventures, and tourist sites. In May 2024, in response to specific needs indicated by UNCISA leadership, 50 lemon cedar trees were donated to support their cemetery improvement project in the medium term, with an additional 50 trees expected to be delivered by the end of the year.

SUMAK YAKU

In December 2023, the team visited Sumak Yaku to observe their water storage and distribution processes, engage with operators and board members, and attend a community assembly. In response to their openness to the research team, Sumak Yaku’s leadership expressed interest in a website to improve the management processes of the water board. The project was implemented in two phases, integrating georeferencing, databases, and web applications to achieve these objectives. The first phase focused on data systematization to update the user registry through a Geographic Information System (GIS) and mobile tools. After coordinating with the Sumak Yaku team and training operators in using Mergin Maps, field data collection began, capturing geospatial and alphanumeric information from users. In the second phase, a website was designed and implemented for the Sumak Yaku Potable Water Board, featuring an interactive geoportal to store, visualize, and analyze data. The system includes a control panel to manage information for 4,051 users and a geoportal, allowing visualization of user distribution on an interactive map with search options and pop-up details. This project was completed in September 2024 and was backed by a formal commitment with Sumak Yaku’s president for future collaborations with the Ecuadorian team and the Escuela Politécnica Nacional.

Through these actions, we aimed to contribute to improving the management of organizations representing community members while also supporting the strengthening of their processes of autonomy and decolonial praxis as a foundation for the reorientation of community life and resistance against the asymmetries of the capitalist system (García-Arias & Cuestas-Caza, 2024). In conclusion, the activities carried out with the Indigenous organizations in Imbabura that collaborated in collecting qualitative data for WP3-ToBe reflect an ethical commitment to research grounded in principles of respect, responsibility, and reciprocity, seeking to transcend traditional academic protocols.

References

  • García-Arias, J., & Cuestas-Caza, J. (2024). Pluriversal Autonomies Beyond Development: Towards an Intercultural, Decolonial and Ecological Buen Vivir as an Alternative to the 2030 Agenda in Abya Yala/Latin America. *Latin American Perspectives*. https://doi.org/10.1177/0094582X241292327
  • Lavallée, L. F. (2009). Practical Application of an Indigenous Research Framework and Two Qualitative Indigenous Research Methods: Sharing Circles and Anishnaabe Symbol-Based Reflection. *International Journal of Qualitative Methods*, 8(1), 21–40. https://doi.org/10.1177/160940690900800103
  • Thambinathan, V., & Kinsella, E. A. (2021). Decolonizing Methodologies in Qualitative Research: Creating Spaces for Transformative Praxis. *International Journal of Qualitative Methods*, 20, 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1177/16094069211014766