The feasibility study will provide a preliminary analysis of the aspects of the production and distribution process of toothpaste with a specific focus on:
- Financials: Do the revenues from selling toothpaste in Europe cover the production costs and the free distribution of the toothpaste to a significant number of children in the rural communities of the Peruvian Amazon?
- Product: What plants are available in the jungle that could be used to produce an organic toothpaste? What about the packaging?
- Sustainability: What will be the impact of collecting plants to produce the toothpaste on the ecosystem? What is the total impact of the project on the ecosystem?
- Economic impact: What are the economic spillovers of the project on the local communities?
- Distribution: What communication campaign should be developed to inform mothers and children of the benefits of toothpaste adoption?
- Importation: Under what conditions can the toothpaste produced in Peru be imported in Switzerland and Europe?
- Regulation: What are the relevant regulations for the production of toothpaste in Peru? What are the regulations for starting a business in Peru and hire labor?
- Risks: What are the risks of this project; how could they be monitored and mitigated?
- Partner(s): Who could be the Swiss and/or European partners who could potentially be interested in implementing the project? What requirements?
- Learning opportunities: What experience can be developed from this project that will be usefully applied in other contexts?
The project is growing steadily, compared to the deadlines we had set. The main activities we are focusing on now are to establish direct contacts with the professors of the department of deontology, pharmacy and biochemistry at UNAP University.
https://www.unapiquitos.edu.pe
The feasibility study starts in December 2020 and the final report is expected by June 2021.
The plan can then be amended with the possible partnership.
Astrid Herrera – astrid@parway.org
Zulima Barreto – zulima@parway.org
Matteo Caravello – matteo@parway.org
Giada Clerici – giada@parway.org
The successes of this project are multiple.
First of all, a connection with local people to integrate the reality of the country. Secondly, building links with the local entities that will distribute the toothpastes in the various communities, creating a commitment of the people involved and finally having the support of a potential partnership.