Sustainable development through Indigenous community-based enterprises

Indigenous people represent 8% of the population in Latin America, but they also constitute approximately 14% of the poor and 17% of the extremely poor. Although these communities face a high degree of marginalization and poverty, some of them have achieved better levels of well-being by creating community-based enterprises based on their values and culture. The objective of this chapter is to examine how successful Indigenous community-based enterprises in Latin America promote sustainable development. To this end, cases from Mexico and Peru were documented through semi-structured interviews, observation and secondary data analysis. One of the main findings suggests how local governance practices can also be adapted for productive purposes. Also, both enterprises have designed economic, environmental and social value creation mechanisms that promote community well-being. These empowering mechanisms are based in cultural and spiritual values that have led these communities through the process of starting, growing and consolidating a venture that ultimately has reinforced their self-determination and created conditions for inclusive growth, cooperation and participatory management.