Tania Ivanova González Rivadeneira, a young researcher from IMBE’s partner research team in Ecuador, is one of the six nominees for the 2026 IRD Innovation Awards.
His project, Chunda Mikuna, focuses on the chonta palm (Bactris gasipaes), a plant traditionally cultivated and consumed by the indigenous peoples of the Ecuadorian Amazon, but which is now gradually falling out of favour.
The project aims to to restore this resource’s place in communities’ diets and economies drawing on a a co-innovation initiative combining traditional knowledge, scientific research and gastronomy.
Tania works with Kichwa, Sapara and Shuar women and girls to work together to develop new food products made from chonta. These products could help to diversify the communities’ diets, but could also be sold – particularly by women – to create new sources of income.
The initiative will result, in particular, in a Community Innovation Fair, enabling the sharing of products and knowledge developed collectively.
Through Chunda Mikuna, the project thus explores a different way of conducting research, by developing solutions together with communities, drawing on their knowledge and needs.
The six projects nominated this year are in line with the theme «Changing everyday life, building the future – committed research for women and girls».
The next stage of the adventure will take place at the Trophées final, where Tania will present her project in 180 seconds in front of an international jury. Two of the six nominated projects will then be awarded prizes: one in the category Take action now, the other in the category Shaping the future.
A story to watch out for involving Chunda Mikuna!
