GAIN REAL-WORLD EXPERIENCE.
MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
SEE THE WORLD.
Design & deliver a hands-on, personalised Internship in Law & Community Governance to improve your resume and gain real-world experience, while making a real difference to rural communities in the majestic Ecuadorian Andes.
Support the development of inclusive governance frameworks that empower rural communities to manage their resources and shape their future.
The Challenge
Across the Andes, many rural communities are working to preserve their autonomy while navigating complex legal systems and limited institutional support. In Guaranda, traditional structures like the comuna and juntas de agua — once the backbone of collective life — have weakened over time.
Despite strong values of minga and solidarity, many local organizations face legal and administrative challenges that make it hard to coordinate and make collective decisions. The result: communities managing their own resources, but without the unified structures needed to protect their rights, govern water collectively, and plan long-term development.
The Solution
At El Terreno, we believe that governance works best when built from the ground up. Together with local leaders, interns help strengthen existing community organizations, review their internal rules, and co-create simple frameworks that bring clarity, participation, and cooperation back to local governance.
This program supports communities in developing tools for more transparent, autonomous, and sustainable management — fostering collaboration between comunas, juntas de agua (water boards), and local associations to create a shared vision for the future of their territory.
Recommended by Previous Participants
Since 2021, We've Hosted Over 250 Participants from 40 Countries
Advance Your Career!
Gain experience in community law, governance, and sustainable development with the support of trained mentors to expand your knowledge and build your confidence.
Now more than ever, employers are looking for a resume with diverse experiences, certificates and strong references that an internship provides.
"A wonderful experience"
I participated in their Culture and “El Terreno is a wonderful #experience to learn about the realities of economic, social, and cultural problems, and engage in meaningful work that contributes to #sustainable solutions.
Luke from the USA (Law & Community Governance)
Results from Past Internships
Check out this final presentation from previous interns, to see what they've achieved during their time here
What's Included?
Pre-Arrival
Free Discovery Call with out Founder
Personalised Changemaker Plan
Pre-Arrival Logistics & Orientation
Documentation Support (credits / funding / university requirements)
Accommodation
Single-sex Dormitories (≤4 beds per room)
Cooked Lunches (Mon-Fri)
Washing Service (1x per week)
Projects
Arrival Onboarding & Orientations
Weekly 1:1s and Reflection Sessions
Bilingual Project Coordination
Professional Mentoring (1hr/wk)
Participatory Methodology & Tools
Community & Institutional Collaboration
Site Visit Coordination
Accident Insurance
Personal & Professional Development
Weekly Group Workshops
Monthly Ancestral Ceremonies
Free Time
Free Time Activity Recommendation
Language Exchange Evenings in Guaranda
Weekly International Shared Meals
Post-Departure
Certificate of Completion
Written Professional Reference
LinkedIn Recommendation
Alumni Network
¿What's Not Included?
Pre-Arrival
Flights or Expenses to Reach Us
Visas or Vaccines
Projects
Additional Project Costs**
(eg. materials, transport, site visits, and coordinator / mentor expenses)
**However, you can apply for a $50 project microgrant and/or we can support you to create a crowdfunding campaign to send through your networks.
**However, you can apply to our small charity for a $50 microgrant and/or we can support you to create
a crowdfunding campaign to send through your networks.
Only $295/week
less than $45 per day
Those who stay longer can make more impact
Get 12 weeks for the price of 10
First 6 deposits of the season choose from
$25/week discount
Dinner Meals Included Mon-Fri
$250 Project Transport & Materials
50% off additional all services, up to $250
We are a small independent organisation and receive no external funds for our programmes.
Your contribution is used to exclusively to deliver you the best internship programme possible!
Additional Services
6-Week Pre-Arrival Spanish & Cultural Essentials Course
Airport Transfer
Private Room / Family Homestay
Breakfast Ingredients
Breakfast Meals (Mon - Fri)
Dinner Meals (Mon - Fri)
Additional Mentoring
Health Insurance
Monthly Ancestral Ceremonies
Language Classes (1/wk)
Cultural Activity (1/wk)
Changemaker Coaching Programme
The Ideal Candidate
Existing skills & experience in the project theme is preferred, but not essential. Bilingual coordinators will help with community engagement — but you will get much more if you come with at least B1 Spanish.
What is essential is a hard-working, professional attitude with passion for making a difference. To thrive in rural Ecuador, you need to be positive, adaptable and a good collaborator.
Mutual respect for communal living, the lived experience from locals and the El Terreno team is key.
Application Process
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Fill out the online interest form
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Participate in your discovery call, free of charge
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Review your personalised internship plan, free of charge
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Place your deposit & confirm your place
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Complete any required documents for your education provider
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Join us for an unforgettable experience in the Ecuadorian Andes!
Gain Experience.
Make a Difference.
Travel the World.
Safety in Ecuador
We sometimes get asked about travelling in Ecuador — is it safe?
While it's impossible to answer with a 'yes' or 'no', what we can say is that since starting programmes in 2021, nobody has been robbed or assaulted at El Terreno, and with a police station in the village, people generally feel very safe.
As with many places in the world, you need to take care of yourself while travelling, and we will provide a full orientation including how to be a savvy traveller. If you follow our advice, you're most likely to have a safe and fun experience.
If you'd like to learn more now, we've written the following blog to help you come prepared:
