Vocational training in sustainable bamboo as transformative community climate action in Manabí, Ecuador

Bamboo is an underutilised resource for livelihood development. Evidence on the impact of bamboo-based development initiatives is scarce, especially outside Asia. To address this, this case study considers the impact of Ecuador’s Manabí Bamboo Workshop School, a vocational training program on sustainable construction using native Guadua bamboos, on lives, livelihoods, and communities. Data collection included site visits, interviews, and on-site participatory ripple effect mapping. Findings frame participants as agents of climate community action in households and beyond. The program revitalised interest in traditional construction and sustainability, providing diversified livelihood opportunities, engagement with cultural heritage, and female empowerment, and spotlighting sustainable bamboo management. Drawing from literature on sustainable livelihoods, collective climate action, and bamboo industry development, we provide a practical, generalisable example of place-based vocational training using native bamboos as a nature-based solution to livelihood and climate challenges, generating ripple effects across multiple domains, despite resource and market limitations.