This research explores the challenges faced by women entrepreneurs in Ecuador, particularly those from indigenous, Afro-Ecuadorian, and mestizo backgrounds in rural and marginalized urban areas. Historically, the Ecuadorian education system has excluded these women due to socioeconomic and cultural factors, hindering their access to and persistence in formal education. The study highlights the inadequacy of the formal education system to meet the needs of these women and argues for the development of culturally relevant educational models that address the unique challenges they face. The concept of interculturality is central to this research, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and respecting the diverse worldviews and cultural practices of these women. The research aims to design an educational model that is not only effective in providing entrepreneurial skills training but also respects and integrates the indigenous worldview of "Sumak Kawsay" (Good Living) as a basis for sustainable development. This "Good Living" philosophy emphasizes harmony between humans and nature, communal living, and the interconnectedness of all beings, which contrasts sharply with Western, capitalist models of development. The study will investigate how to incorporate this philosophy into entrepreneurship training to create more equitable and sustainable outcomes for women entrepreneurs.

The paper reviews existing literature on interculturality in Latin America, focusing on Ecuador's unique context of indigenous populations and the government's efforts to create a plurinational state. It examines different definitions and interpretations of interculturality, contrasting the European focus on immigrant integration with the Latin American emphasis on overcoming colonial legacies. The literature highlights the role of indigenous movements in demanding recognition and the challenges of achieving true interculturality beyond symbolic gestures. The review also explores intercultural edu-communication in Latin America, tracing its evolution from using media for mass education to its current application in promoting intercultural dialogue and social cohesion. The significance of incorporating ICTs into edu-communication for broader reach and accessibility is discussed. Finally, the concept of worldview and its influence on development is reviewed, contrasting the indigenous Andean worldview emphasizing harmony with nature with the Western worldview focused on capital accumulation. The role of women within the "Sumak Kawsay" philosophy and their contributions to environmental sustainability are explored, highlighting the need to address gender inequalities within this framework. The review also touches upon entrepreneurship in Ecuador, identifying both the potential and the challenges faced by women entrepreneurs, including limited access to training, financing, and support structures. The need for policies and programs that foster sustainable and culturally appropriate entrepreneurship is emphasized.

The study employs a participatory research methodology, combining qualitative and quantitative approaches. The research setting is Imbabura province in Ecuador, known for its diverse ethnic groups. Three women's associations were selected as the study participants, representing Afro-Ecuadorian, indigenous, and mestizo women involved in various entrepreneurial activities. Data collection involved several techniques: * **Workshops:** These were conducted to explore the experiences and knowledge of participants, gathering testimonies and ancestral experiences from association leaders and members. * **Direct Observation:** Researchers and external participants recorded field observations in notebooks, providing additional context and insights. * **Unstructured Interviews:** In-depth interviews were carried out with association leaders and other participants identified by them as valuable informants. These interviews were validated by specialists in entrepreneurship, education, and instrument construction. * **Surveys:** A validated questionnaire with 31 questions was administered to a sample of 84 women entrepreneurs across different cantons in Imbabura, aiming for representativeness of each target population. * **Data Analysis:** The qualitative data from interviews and observations were analyzed using thematic analysis, while descriptive statistics were used for the quantitative data from the survey. The data were contrasted and cross-checked with sources from indigenous, Afro-Ecuadorian, and mestizo thought. The participatory approach ensured active involvement of participants in the research process, including the development of categories and proposals, and provided richer data than relying on traditional methods. The researchers obtained informed consent from all participants, guaranteeing anonymity and the proper use of their data.

The study reveals significant educational disparities among women entrepreneurs in Imbabura. Only 33% of surveyed women completed six years of basic education, and 15% did not finish primary school despite passing some courses. For secondary education, 14% completed it, 17.85% attended but didn't complete, and 7% never attended formal education. Only 11.5% were pursuing university studies. This educational gap is even more pronounced in rural areas, where indigenous and Afro-Ecuadorian women face the greatest challenges. The study found that 100% of indigenous and mestizo women, and 87.5% of Afro-Ecuadorian women, generated their income from entrepreneurship, most motivated by the need for economic independence to support their families. These enterprises were predominantly in agriculture, gastronomy, trade, handicrafts, and cultural tourism. However, these initiatives often lacked sustainable management practices and access to business development tools. The study also found disparities in heads of household rates, with mestizo women having significantly higher rates than indigenous and Afro-Ecuadorian women. This highlights gender-related inequalities within the families and communities studied. The data underscore the critical role of economic autonomy and education in achieving greater gender equity. These findings support the need for non-formal educational models that address the specific needs and contexts of these women entrepreneurs.

The findings of this study strongly support the need for a culturally sensitive, non-formal entrepreneurship training model like MEIFE. The significant educational disparities revealed highlight the limitations of the current formal education system in reaching and supporting women from marginalized communities. The high rates of women-led businesses, largely motivated by economic necessity, demonstrate the potential of entrepreneurship to improve livelihoods, but also expose the lack of support structures and training that hinder these ventures' sustainability. The integration of the Andean worldview of "Sumak Kawsay" into the MEIFE model is crucial, providing an alternative to Western capitalist models. This approach values collective development, harmony with nature, and community well-being, creating a more inclusive and sustainable approach to entrepreneurship. The model's participatory design ensures relevance and ownership by the target population, while the use of ICTs increases its accessibility and scalability.

This study presents a significant contribution to the field of entrepreneurship education by demonstrating the need for culturally responsive and participatory models that specifically address the needs of women entrepreneurs in marginalized communities in Ecuador. The MEIFE model offers a promising approach, incorporating indigenous worldviews and promoting sustainable and equitable economic empowerment. Future research could focus on evaluating the long-term impact of MEIFE, replicating the model in other contexts, and exploring the potential for incorporating more technology-based training approaches.

The study's findings are specific to Imbabura province in Ecuador and may not be fully generalizable to other regions or countries. The sample size, while aiming for representativeness, may not capture the full diversity of experiences among women entrepreneurs in the region. Future research with larger and more diverse samples could enhance the generalizability of the findings. The study's reliance on self-reported data through interviews and questionnaires introduces potential biases, although efforts were made to mitigate this through validation and triangulation of data from multiple sources.