Aliados is an Ecuadorian and US nonprofit organization with over a decade’s experience creating sustainable value chains in the Amazon rainforest. We work side by side with our indigenous partners to build community enterprise that balances the economic development of local communities with the conservation of their forests and biodiversity. We provide integrated support so that local communities have the tools, capacities, and resources to drive conservation of these precious ecosystems through effective forest stewardship. 

The Aliados internship offers young professionals a hands on opportunity to learn about the key issues for sustainable development in the tropics. Before arrival, interns identify their area of interest (see below) and we then tailor their time with us so that they gain direct experience in these areas, while contributing positively to Aliados’ work. Interns are incorporated into existing Aliados work teams, and realistic, but ambitious goals are established for their time in Ecuador. By forming part of work teams, interns also have the opportunity to develop key soft skills that are increasingly sought after in the workplace, including:

• Working in a cross-cultural team
• Communication
• Adaptability
• Critical thinking with an integrated understanding of the “whole ecosystem”
• Problem solving & leadership 
• Learning how to deal with and manage uncertainty

Interns also spend time with our partner communities in family homestays to better understand day to day life, and the perspective, opportunities and challenges for indigenous people.