The earned income
venture of the CATIS is designed to follow the
triple-bottom-line model: measuring
success in social and environmental metrics as
well as traditional economic profit. We are currently in the process of
developing a plan for the organizational sustainability
of the CATIS as well as socioeconomic and
environmental evaluations of CATIS programming.
While, initially, the CATIS will be funded by
foundation grants and private donations, it will
eventually be economically self-sufficient through its
programs. Areas of economic return that have been
currently identified include:
•
Tuition: Students from ISF and
EWB Chapters as well as other universities
throughout Mexico and the US, NGO staff,
professional contractors, engineers, architects and
builders are just several of the numerous
possibilities for tuition-based income through
CATIS courses and workshops. ITyC has
conducted dozens of successful workshops over the
last several years.
•
Consulting: ITyC has been successfully
consulting on earth block construction projects in
numerous countries around the globe. With the new
partnership with ISF Mexico and Birambye, the enhanced
opportunity to consult on geographically diverse
projects, utilizing appropriate technologies, is
significant.
•
Partner Trainers: Upon graduation, Partner
Trainers will have an opportunity to work with the
CATIS as project leaders and consultants on
development projects throughout the world. A
percentage of the generated income will go to
CATIS programming.
•
Renting of the Institute: The CATIS will serve
as an international meeting place for groups dealing
with issues of rural sustainability and appropriate
technologies. The facility will also be available as
a conference or camp center for other activities
such as music or soccer camps. An area has been
allocated for the soccer field.
•
Organic produce sales: Sale of produce from the
CATIS farm will provide revenue for the
CATIS while also supporting local labor.
•
Earth block sales: Upon completion of the service
area, the CATIS will be able to produce and sell
stabilized compressed earth blocks.
•
Learning lab and research center: The CATIS
will also act as a learning laboratory for the
development of appropriate technologies. The
production of such technologies (i.e. water pumps,
water filtration systems and efficient stoves) can
be sold across the region.
•
Micro-enterprise and financing: Part of the
CATIS curriculum, specifically for members of
host communities, is the development of eco-system
based enterprise opportunities. Among other
opportunities, graduates will be able to acquire
block machines and develop work collectives in their
local communities.