CARE Ecuador has analyzed the local context within the framework of the millennium goals in order to identify the underlying cause of poverty in the country. CARE has identified the following factors:

• A state system that is weak legally, economically, politically and socially and which permits and gives rise to corruption, insecurity, impunity and the deterioration of values and principles.
• Discrimination and social exclusion of certain marginal groups.
• Dependence and focus on foreign economic and financial interests.
• The absence of a long-term consensual vision for the country and weakness within important sectors of local governments and central government units.
• A certain civic apathy, including lack of interest in participating in the political and decision-making processes. A private sector that does not adequately assume its social and environmental responsibilities and that is not controlled.