THE CLIENT
The World Bank Group
THE CHALLENGE
Ecuador’s plastics value chain faced limited integration of vulnerable populations—particularly refugees, migrants, and Ecuadorians at risk of migration—due to gaps in employability, business linkages, and inclusive sector coordination. Unlocking the sector’s potential required a structured diagnosis to identify inclusion opportunities and design targeted actions aligned with competitiveness and social inclusion goals.
THE SERVICE
The project conducted a rapid, three-phase diagnostic of Ecuador’s plastics sector across Quito, Guayaquil, and Cuenca. It mapped stakeholders and value chains, analyzed barriers and opportunities for socioeconomic inclusion, and engaged public, private, and support institutions through interviews and workshops. The assignment developed concrete action lines and policy recommendations to promote inclusive employment, entrepreneurship, and productive linkages.
- Opportunity mapping & strategic prioritization.
- Value chain diagnostics & competitiveness analysis.
- Gender Equality & Social Inclusion (GESI) analysis.
- Primary data collection, database creation & market intelligence surveys.
- Value chain specific policy and institutional reforms identification and definition.
RESULTS
he project delivered a strategic assessment of inclusion opportunities within the plastics value chain, identifying key gaps and priority areas for action. It produced a comprehensive stakeholder and sector database, validated findings through multi-stakeholder workshops, and designed three actionable initiatives with implementation pathways and policy recommendations. The results provided the World Bank and national and local authorities with a practical roadmap to advance inclusive sector development and served as the foundation for a second phase of the PS4R program, supporting competitiveness and socioeconomic inclusion of vulnerable populations.
