Community education for biodiversity and living Andean knowledge
Urpichallay works alongside rural communities, schools, educators and young people to strengthen culture, agrobiodiversity, environmental care and knowledge shared across generations.
Local knowledge, practical action and lasting relationships
Our work is rooted in the Callejón de Huaylas and developed with the people who care for seeds, water, plants, schools and community memory every day.
Education and biodiversity in one shared landscape
Intercultural community education
We connect schools with local knowledge and the life of the territory.
Youth community leadership
Young people strengthen identity, participation and care for life, water and land.
Recognition of knowledge holders
We help elders and community experts share living skills with new generations.
Agrobiodiversity
Families exchange and safeguard native seeds, crops and farming knowledge.
Medicinal plants and community health
Learning combines botanical walks, dialogue and hands-on preparation.
Climate resilience and environment
Communities care for water sources, wetlands and landscapes using local knowledge.
Trusted locally, connected internationally
Urpichallay has been recognised by Peru’s Ministry of Culture and works with regional education and agriculture authorities, universities and civil-society partners.
- Recognised as a Meritorious Person by the Ministry of Culture in 2015.
- Guardian of native potato diversity with the Regional Directorate of Agriculture of Áncash (2025–2026).
- Defender of Cultural Heritage for native maize and potatoes.
- Field-based approach with documented participation and community stories.
Learning from communities
Murukuna Trukay: seeds travelling between communities and generations
Families, students, teachers and authorities exchange native seeds and strengthen food systems and living knowledge.
Medicinal plants: knowledge learned, practised and returned to the community
Twenty-two participants combine dialogue, botanical walks and practical preparation.
A new cohort of young community leaders in Áncash
Twelve young people strengthen cultural identity and participation in care for biodiversity and community life.
