About

I am Cecilia Contreras, aka Ceci Sakura, started my journey in the regenerative space through apiculture, which opened my eyes to the bigger picture of sustainability and regeneration. From there, I’ve dived into using regenerative finance (ReFi) and blockchain technology to help drive local conservation projects in Bolivia. My focus has always been on collaboration, supporting impactful initiatives, and creating long-term change.

One community that played a key role in opening up a world of endless possibilities for me is Let’s Grow DAO. Through their continuous Let’s Grow Live spaces during GG19, I had the opportunity to present Wild Friends, a project that was just starting to operate, using NFTs as access keys to fund Senda Verde, an animal rescue refuge. This connection allowed me to link up with other projects and learn from diverse ReFi experiences around the world. I’m incredibly grateful to Let’s Grow DAO for giving me this global platform, aligned with solarpunk values and philosophy, and for the ongoing opportunities for growth and connection.

Heres is a brief summary of the key areas of impact I had:

• Regenerative R&D:
  As the Community Manager for Wild Friends, a Bolivian Web3 project, I played a key role in its growth and connection with the ReFi space. I led efforts to enhance the player experience and foster engagement by building a community around the project. During the La Paz International Book Fair 2023, I coordinated initiatives between Wild Friends and Senda Verde, enrolling over 150 player testers into our testing program. This collaboration helped improve the game based on community feedback while highlighting the real-world impact of the project, which supports Senda Verde’s animal refuge through NFTs as access keys. My work helped bridge gaming and regenerative finance, positioning Wild Friends as a unique Web3 project.
  Wild Friends on X
  

• Education and Growth:
  I’m part of the Ethereum Bolivia core team, where I volunteer to organize meetups, events, hackathons/buildathons and initiatives aimed at educating the local community about blockchain and Web3. My goal is to create opportunities for people to understand these technologies and how they can be used to address economic challenges, especially now that Bolivia’s restrictions on crypto have been lifted.
  I led the organization of the first ETH Bolivia 2023 Hackathon where there were 3 ReFi projects developed, 1 becoming a 2nd place winner "Uma Irpiri" in the Local Solutions category.
  ETH Bolivia 2023 winners announcement
  

• Operational Support:
  As co-founder of ReFi Bolivia, I not only designed the marketing strategy for Senda Verde Wildlife Refuge during Gitcoin GG20 but also developed and submitted their project application for three funding rounds, all of which were successfully accepted. This effort helped secure vital resources for their Passiflora conservation initiative. I also coordinated Vicky Ossio's participation in Let’s Grow Live spaces, where she raised awareness about the challenges facing Bolivia's National Forest Reserves. Additionally, I created their Karma Gap profile, which continues to track and update their progress.
  Vicky Ossio, participating on LGL GG20 space
  [Senda Verde participating in 3 rounds at GG20](https://x.com/La_Senda_Verde/status/1784990232946831832, https://x.com/La_Senda_Verde/status/1783600070018892219, https://x.com/La_Senda_Verde/status/1784930722265825437)
  Also I support the RegenLearnings.xyz community calls as note taker, contributing those through Github.

• Impact on Local Communities and Bioregions:
  Through Passiflora, located in the Madidi Reserve, I’ve contributed to creating a safe space for wildlife and promoting eco-tourism. This project is about more than just conservation—it provides economic opportunities for nearby communities while focusing on preserving the Amazon’s biodiversity. I’m also driven by the long-term vision of integrating local knowledge with regenerative practices.