Fostering competitive leadership in waste pickers' organisations

Introduction

This initiative was a Triangular Cooperation effort, developed with the support of the ADELANTE Window, aimed at strengthening the Latin American Network of Waste Pickers (Red LACRE) through a comprehensive approach that enhanced both coordination and communication between leaders and organisations in the region, as well as training and capacity building in leadership and management.

Objectives

This Triangular Cooperation Initiative aimed to share the expertise of the Partnership entities to jointly develop tools to strengthen the leadership of waste pickers' organisations at the national and regional levels, with a focus on advocacy for sustainable and inclusive public policies.

Triangular Cooperation Partnership

This initiative was led by the National Association of Waste Pickers (ANCAT) in Brazil, the main entity representing Red LACRE. The partnership was further strengthened by the support of:

• Roots for Sustainability (R4S, Spain), which contributed its extensive experience in designing, implementing, and evaluating transformation projects for companies, non-profit organisations, and governments, particularly in organisational sustainability and inclusive business.
• Avina Foundation (Chile), which provided expertise in democratic innovation, fair and regenerative economy, and climate action, with a special focus on inclusive recycling.

Together, these entities joined forces to empower grassroots waste pickers in driving the transition towards a more sustainable model of production, consumption, and waste management in Latin America.

Key objectives and impact

This initiative focused on strengthening the management capacities and leadership of Red LACRE, fostering better coordination and networking among grassroots waste pickers’ organisations across the region.

The capacity-building efforts were complemented by the systematisation of Red LACRE’s decision-making and governance model, ensuring that all members could effectively use and take ownership of the structure.

By enhancing leadership, governance, and collaboration within Red LACRE, this initiative contributed to a more inclusive and sustainable waste management system in Latin America.

Project activities

This initiative is structured around four key activities, aimed at strengthening relationships among waste pickers' organisations across different countries, identifying common challenges and opportunities, and designing joint capacity-building strategies to enhance their leadership. These efforts were consolidated into a decision-making and governance model, applicable both at the regional level within Red LACRE and at the national level within each of the member associations.

Key activities included:

• Capacity building: training representatives of ANAGAVEC to implement best practices within its production units, improving the yield, profitability, and sustainability of Andean agave production.
• Model implementation: development of "Anthropological Dimensions for a Sustainable Andean Agave Production Model", empowering ANAGAVEC to disseminate best practices and promote sustainable development.
• Research collaboration: a study collected data on the distribution, concentration, and production of agave in the Andean region, identifying:
  • Measures to protect the Miske designation of origin
  • Guidelines for developing agave-based tourism industries
• Policy development: a final seminar brought together:
  • Andean agave producers
  • Local and national authorities
  • Academics
  • Stakeholders from other agricultural production chains
• Community engagement: emphasising agave's cultural value, the initiative promoted:
  • Sustainable tourism development
  • Community strengthening
  • Agricultural quality improvements

Cross-cutting themes

Throughout the initiative, a cross-cutting approach was applied, integrating:

• Gender equality
• Environmental sustainability
• Climate change considerations

These themes were highlighted through knowledge-sharing, embedded in joint work sessions, and incorporated into the final governance manual for the Red LACRE Network.

By fostering collaboration, leadership, and sustainable governance, this initiative contributes to a more inclusive and effective waste management system in Latin America.

Results

Through this Triangular Cooperation Initiative, the knowledge and expertise of the Partnership's member entities and collaborating organisations in the field of waste management were leveraged to develop a final report, which includes a Manual outlining the governance model of the Red LACRE Network. This manual will serve as a guiding tool for future leaders, ensuring continuity and effective governance within the network.

The initiative has contributed to and aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly:

• Target 10.2: "By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status."
• Target 10.3: "Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies, and practices and promoting appropriate legislation, policies, and actions in this regard."

By fostering inclusive leadership, equitable governance, and strengthened waste management practices, this initiative supports a more sustainable and socially just system for waste pickers in Latin America.

Implementing partner

Implementing partners: Roots for Sustainability -  R4S (Spain)