Strengthening youth entrepreneurship and guiding them on a path to growth is a cornerstone of the Sunrise+ project in Ecuador. In a region marked by profound inequalities, restoring hope and dignity to the young people of Esmeraldas province —one of the poorest in the country—means making them true protagonists of social change and their own future.
The challenges they face are many and varied: structural, economic, and educational. However, these small, nascent businesses have learned to find creative solutions to overcome the most critical moments, always grounded in three key principles: reciprocity, self-management, and community support.
Overcoming logistical obstacles
One of the main barriers to developing a new business is the lack of adequate physical space. This is a common problem among emerging youth initiatives, often limiting their operational growth. Yet, the way the groups involved in Sunrise+ have addressed this challenge demonstrates an extraordinary capacity for adaptation and collective organization.
Among these companies , La Sazón de Daule (literally “The Flavor of Daule”) stands out, a company that takes its name from a rural area in the canton of Muisne, in the heart of the province of Esmeraldas.
The success story of “La Sazón de Daule”
The company La Sazón de Daule is made up of eleven boys and girls who, at the beginning of their journey, did not have a place 
The turning point came thanks to a gesture of community solidarity and trust: Yuriana, one of the partners, decided to lend a space adjacent to her home for five years.
The guys rolled up their sleeves to transform the place into a compliant and customer-friendly business: they built new walls, took care of the plastering and painting, and installed a service counter.
In addition to manual labor, the young people have chosen the path of co-responsibility: the group collectively manages the costs of basic services, such as water and electricity.
All of this had two immediate positive effects: it strengthened the cohesion of the group and laid the foundation for a more equitable and sustainable management of the company.
Sustainability and the future: the value of mutual support
Structural challenges—as this story demonstrates—are not insurmountable barriers for the young men and women of the canton of Muisne. Thanks to the Sunrise+ project, these young people are demonstrating that it is possible to build a future of work and dignity even in challenging environments.
When individual commitment meets mutual support, entrepreneurship becomes a powerful tool to transform not only the lives of individuals, but entire communities.