The project titled "Innovation and sustainability for artisan fishermen from Manabi" started in one of the classrooms of the communication undergraduate program in our branch campus in Quito. The project is led by professor Enza Bosetti who stated that this project was chosen by the Italian Cooperation Agency for Development which approved one million four hundred thousand Euros for its execution.

"The project started in April 2016 after the earthquake that hit Ecuador, the work began with fishermen from Canoa and their families based on circular economy and innovation. The project was presented to the city officials of Manabi where it was considered a priority. There is a total of 2200 beneficiaries from Manabí, Esmeraldas, Chorrera and Canoa", said Bosetti.

The aim is to contribute to reducing the effects of climate change and promoting employment among women and young people in the area, training fishermen and their families for the creation of competitive and diversified activities. "A Fisheries Observatory will also be implemented under the coordination of Universidad Politecnica Salesiana which will organize the scientific component, monitoring and evaluation of the project," said Bosetti.

Teachers and students from the Environmental Engineering and Communication undergraduate programs are part of this project, along with the university's community engagement department, the Provincial Decentralized Autonomous Government of Manabí, the Decentralized Autonomous Government of Pedernales and the following Italian institutions: Comune di San Benedetto del Tronto, Terre di Siena Lab, Blu Marine Service and Università Degli Studi di Ferrara.

Professor Bosetti is one of the promoters of the project, she formed a strategic alliance with San Benedetto del Tronto, an Italian community located on the Adriatic coast that has highly qualified personnel in artisanal fishing. "The project had to be adapted to the knowledge (know how) of the new participants, it was sent in June 2020 and approved in February 2021," Bosetti said. The project will last 36 months and will begin between May and June this year