• Creation of a local enterprise in Comuna Rio Santiago Cayapas, Ecuador, to sell tagua nuts directly to Ecuadorian factories that process them into button blanks and jewelry components for export around the world.

  

• Training of 30 community members in accounting, management, and product sales to run this local enterprise. Participation of 350 local families - over 1,800 people in the Initiative in Ecuador.

• Sales of more than 3,500 tons of tagua nuts to Ecuadoran factories. The amount of tagua sold in 1996 increased by 30% over 1995.

• Creation of a cottage industry to produce hand-carved buttons. This community enterprise has sold over 70,000 hand-carved buttons internationally, and forecasts its production for this year to produce and sell 25,000 additional units in the U.S. and Japan.

• Sales of over 70 million buttons by 7 TI-licensed international button distributors.

• Expansion of the Tagua Initiative from one product (buttons) in one country (Ecuador) in October 1990 to more than 20 products in 8 countries today. Over the next year, the TI will be formalizing several new marketing partnerships with wholesalers and retailers in Asia and Europe.

• Design and implementation of scientific and socio-economic studies to monitor the effect and success of the Initiative in terms of biodiversity protection and local benefit.

The Tagua Initiative has had great success in the marketing of its message. At present, TI tagua buttons are used by over 30 well-known garment manufacturers. Tagua jewelry and carvings are available internationally by retail and mail order. Furthermore, the project has benefited greatly from coverage by The New York Times, USA Today, National Geographic, ABC News, CNN, BBC, and Radio France, as well as dozens of other media outlets.