We are Fundacion Futuro, an Ecuadorian non-profit organization established in 2000 to implement the corporate responsibility initiatives undertaken by Grupo Futuro, one of the major holding groups in Ecuador. The conglomerate comprises a variety of companies, all leaders in their respective industries –insurance, healthcare, and tourism– all of which share a common philosophy of integrity, responsibility, creativity, passion, excellence and sustainability.
Previously, over the course of nearly two decades, the foundation sponsored a series of development programs in rural communities. Numerous initiatives were launched to facilitate access to healthcare services and microloans in rural Andean and coastal communities.
In 2019, Fundación Futuro performed an overhaul of its strategy and vision, shifting its focus to mitigating the effects of climate change through forest conservation and community resilience in Ecuador, one of the world’s most mega diverse and sensitive ecosystems. In this extraordinary environment, the conservation of unique and vulnerable forests is both a challenge and an opportunity. The adaptive capacity of local communities is key, which is why the foundation has implemented a comprehensive sustainability program in Ecuador’s Andean Chocó region, which extends from the region to the northwest of Quito (Ecuador’s capital) to the Colombian border and beyond.
Our greater purpose is to mitigate the effects of climate change and our efforts focus on the conservation and sustainable management of the Andean Choco region.
In this fragile place, our integral work will be centered around:
Connectivity
Conserving and connecting forest remnants is a critical factor in helping species adapt to climate change.
Conserving and connecting forest remnants is absolutely critical to helping species adapt to climate change because wildlife corridors allow many species to make their way to higher altitudes (and cooler temperatures) as global warming continues to occur. We have selected the Andean Chocó as our point of focus because it is one of the planet’s most extraordinary biodiversity hotspots, as well as an ecosystem that needs to be protected from multiple threats, including illegal logging, mining, and hunting.
We began our work at Mashpi Reserve, an expanse initially covering 2,500 hectares (6,180 acres) of forestland. This has been our epicenter for establishing wildlife corridors and connecting two major nature reserves by forming alliances with local authorities, inhabitants and other organizations..
Our plan is to create two main wildlife corridors, one to the north of Mashpi Reserve, stretching nearly 30 km (19 mi) and connecting to the Cotacachi-Cayapas Reserve, and another one to the south [55 km (34 mi)], linking Mashpi to the Mindo-Nambillo protected forest.
Carbon Footprint
True to their philosophy, the companies that make up Grupo Futuro have committed to transforming their footprint through efforts targeted at reducing the carbon emissions in their operations, as well as offsetting the emissions they are unable to reduce.
Our “Carbon Fund” is a mechanism for offsetting, responsibly and in a transparent manner, all of the carbon emissions emitted yearly by Grupo Futuro companies and the emissions from other organizations.
Our work includes accompanying the companies that make up the Group in the reduction of their emissions, as well as analyzing sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives that can be incorporated into their business operations. Finally, we motivate employees in being aware of their own personal carbon footprint and working towards reducing it.
We help generate a virtuous circle whereby we raise the financial resources necessary to fund our program, invest those resources in conservation, restore ecologically fragile areas and reach conservation agreements.
Sustainable Landscape
Governance, sustainable livelihoods and education set the conditions for humans to live in harmony with nature.
Building sustainable landscapes means forging positive relationships between all the stakeholders in this region known for its extraordinary ecological sensitivity. Through good governance, sustainable livelihoods and quality education, we help local communities live in harmony with nature.
We have joined forces with the local government and other organizations to reinforce systems of good governance in the area. We have aligned our conservation and development strategies with those of the local governing body, Mancomunidad del Chocó Andino, and are operating in collaboration with well respected organizations such as CONDESAN, Fundación Imaymana, Heifer International, Enseña Ecuador, Basque Culinary Center and Kawsay Tika Wasi. We have created sustainable livelihood opportunities in the area so people can choose to remain in the area and have a sustainable and fair income.
Finally, we are working with relevant organizations to improve formal and informal education in the area, to strengthen local capacities and build a culture of peace
Sustainability Culture
Grupo Futuro’s Sustainability Culture is a source of pride and a strategic value.
Fundación Futuro is the organization leading the corporate sustainability efforts of the companies comprising Grupo Futuro.
We generate strategic value for the companies in the holding group, promoting innovative practices and setting the standard for the development of public policy. We aid each company in developing a culture of sustainability in the workplace, reaching their nearly 4,000 employees nationwide.
Different programs and initiatives facilitate the participation and involvement of employees in a model of transformation that fosters sustainability practices and seeks to provide differentiation between the products and services that the companies offer.
Yunguilla, a sustainable community model
We traveled to Yunguilla with the members of the Mashpi community to learn about their sustainable way of life and the lessons learned along the journey of this national and international award-winning community. Yunguilla, located in a valley on the outskirts of...
Pachijal: Our team’s setting for biodiversity and strengthening
Today on Earth Day, we share one of the most recent activities of the foundation focused on building a culture of sustainability. The Andean Chocó of Pichincha, almost an hour from Quito, is an imposing system of protective forests, declared by the UNESCO as one of...
Adrián Guadalupe: Being a volunteer in San José de Mashpi was a gift
2019 began with a great gift for Adrián Guadalupe. Participating in Fundación Futuro's first corporate volunteering was an extraordinary experience for Metropolitan Touring’s Webmaster. "Sharing with the people of the community was unforgettable", says Adrián, a...
How did Fundación Futuro manage to capture Metropolitan Touring’s carbon footprint?
Today, on World Earth Day, get to know how one of the leading tourism companies in Ecuador contributes along with us to take care of the planet through its Carbon Neutral strategy. Climate change is a ‘threat multiplier’ and exacerbates many of the already existing...
Community education has become a key piece for the conservation of the Andean Chocó of Pichincha
Learn how we build a sustainable and inclusive landscape in the Andean Chocó of Pichincha with the help of Enseña Ecuador.Classes began in the communities of Mashpi, Pachijal and Guayabillas located in the Andean Chocó region of Pichincha. Despite this important area...
MashpiLAB Research, Innovation and Sustainable Development
MashpiLAB has been launched: An investigation and development lab oriented towards exploring the culinary potential of the Andean Chocó region. The purpose is to generate knowledge, value and to highlight the native forest species and their diverse flavors. Get to...
Fundación Futuro presented its new vision to the Futuro Group family
Fundación Futuro convoked its allies and main donors to live an inspirational moment when presenting the new focus of its strategic vision. Due to its natural setting, the auditorium of the Quito Botanical Garden was the perfect meeting place to welcome the Futuro...
Mashpi expands toward the future
Fundacion Futuro purchased nearly 1,300 hectares of forest to expand the Mashpi Reserve, an important objective for protecting wildlife. As part of its initiative to conserve biodiversity, the private Mashpi reserve is expanding into the future. Fundacion Futuro...
Trails of Mashpi: The beginnings of a great adventure
My name is Felipe Andrade, Coordinator of Carbon and Biodiversity Management of Fundacion Futuro. I will take a tour around Mashpi and tell readers about my time in the Andean Choco region. My name is Felipe Andrade, an engineer in biotechnology. I have a lot of...
Potlucks at San Jose de Mashpi: Celebrating diversity
The “We are all Mashpi” event brought the families from the community together to spend time having fun.On Sunday, March 3, Fundacion Futuro and the community of San Jose de Mashpi held an event called “We are all Mashpi,” a potluck arranged for the inhabitants living...
Meet our Team

Carolina Proaño-Castro
Executive Director
Carolina Proaño-Castro assumed the leadership of Fundacion Futuro towards the end of 2018 to develop and implement the new sustainability-focused strategy.

Felipe Andrade Dávila
Carbon and Biodiversity Management Coordinator
Felipe Andrade is a biotechnology engineer who has experience in ecology, conservation and project coordination.

Carolina Dávalos
Sustainable Landscape Management Coordinator
Carolina Davalos has significant experience in developing environmentally-friendly productive processes.
Our board of directors:
- Eduardo Izurieta
- Ana María Sevilla
- Martha Tufiño
- Paulina Burbano de Lara
- Juan Fernando Navarro
- Francisco Navarro
- Miguel Sevilla
- Michelle Arévalo-Carpenter
- Luis Fernando Romero

Roque Sevilla
President of the Board of Directors of Fundacion Futuro
Roque Sevilla is a highly accomplished Ecuadorian businessman. He has launched several successful business ventures, leading innovative initiatives on environmental conservation, and has proposed solutions to improve living standards in the city. Based on his ability to simultaneously manage multiple successful initiatives, he is widely known as a “pragmatic dreamer.”
The operation of Fundacion Futuro is mainly supported by the contribution of the Grupo Futuro companies:


Contact us
Av. De Las Palmeras N45-74 y de las Orquídeas
Operación en territorio
(+593) (2) 298-8400