The Watershed Fund: When Community Organization Opens Pathways to Autonomy

The first training of The Watershed Fund

The ‘Grupo de Ahorro’ savings group now established and growing in the watershed, is a direct result of the organization, initiative, and vision of the women in the community, who took the first step toward a more just and autonomous economic model.

During ReSiMar’s Convening in January 2025, the members of Mujeres de la Tierra shared with visitors their interest in accessing new tools for managing their financial resources. Among the attendees, Marinela Servitje showed particular interest and chose to get involved, connecting the Permaculture Node with Fundación León XIII, an organization that works creatively in rural communities through three programs, with savings groups as the central strategy for advancing financial inclusion.

León XIII’s approach is rooted in autonomous organization: savings groups allow their members to save, access loans at accessible rates, and generate interest that is distributed among all participants. It is a model that fosters co-responsibility, trust, and community-driven management.

After a joint planning process between the Foundation’s team and the leader of the Permaculture Node, it was agreed to carry out a training program for the members of Mujeres de la Tierra and for women leaders from other ReSiMar Nodes. The 32 hours of training resulted in an important milestone: the creation of the first savings group in the territory, called “The Watershed Fund,” now made up of 21 members, including women, men, youth, girls, and boys.

Grupo de Ahorro community fund meeting in action

Every two weeks, women from the cooperative and residents of Juluchuca and neighboring communities gather to contribute to the fund. Beyond the economic impact, this initiative has become a space for organization, autonomy, and mutual trust. The group provides tools to make informed decisions, plan expenses, and access resources to address immediate needs or invest in personal and family projects.

The Watershed Fund sets a meaningful precedent for the territory. Its success demonstrates that collaboration and collective organization are essential for strengthening local governance, economic security, and community resilience. This is only the first step in a process that will continue to grow in a participatory way, fueled by the will, creativity, and commitment of the community.