by El Terreno
If you dream of immersing yourself in South America's Andean cultures amid snowcapped volcanoes, while making a real-world impact for rural communities, our International Changemaker Programme is for you.
As part of El Terreno's international community, you'll use your skills on social and environmental projects while discovering your purpose and building skills for a more successful life — no matter your age.
In Guaranda, traditional structures like the comuna and juntas de agua (water boards), once the backbone of collective life, have weakened. Despite strong values of minga and solidarity, legal and administrative hurdles make it hard for communities to coordinate, protect their rights and plan their future.
Together with local leaders, you'll help strengthen community organisations, review internal regulations and co-create simple governance frameworks that bring transparency, participation and cooperation between comunas, water boards and local associations. With bilingual coordinators and local mentors, you'll live in community, grow your Spanish, and advance your career.
In your free time, explore Guaranda's markets, hike Chimborazo, or take weekend trips to Quito, Baños, Quilotoa or the coast. Stay in our purpose-built Quilico accommodation, or opt for an immersive family homestay.
Come for the projects. Stay for the community. Leave transformed
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Updated Oct 7, 2026
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Age Requirement
18+
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El Terreno is a wonderful experience to learn about social, economic, and cultural realities, allowing participants to engage in deeply meaningful work that contributes to sustainable solutions and creates a lasting positive impact on our world.
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Get answers to all the most common questions about El Terreno.
The programme starts at $295/week (4-10 weeks), with discounts for stays of over 10 weeks and for the first 6 bookings. Exact cost depends on length of stay and any additional services chosen (extra meals, private accommodation, health insurance, classes, etc.)
The minimum stay is 4 weeks, with new arrivals welcomed every 2 weeks year-round (with breaks in April, August and December). There's no maximum: stays of 12+ weeks ("Residents") can pioneer their own projects and access additional benefits.
Anyone 18 or older, of any nationality, with intermediate English or Spanish (B1+ recommended). We look for authentically motivated participants who respect cultural differences, are proactive, and work well both independently and as part of a community.
We look for genuine motivation and the ability to work independently (punctuality, organisation, deadlines), a positive and proactive attitude despite setbacks, pride in the quality of one's work, and emotional openness and consideration for others.
Guaranda is one of the safest places in Ecuador, largely due to legally recognised indigenous justice processes. There's a police station in the village, staff on site 24/7, and since 2021 nobody has been robbed or assaulted in the community.
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