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Connect with the Peace Corps
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Serve where you’re needed mostBusiness Development Advisor
Community Economic Development
Job highlights
- Gain a better understanding of business challenges that face communities in South America.
- Advance your Spanish language skills through daily conversations and collaborations.
- Create a lasting impact while immersed in Peruvian culture.
Peru • South America
In partnership with: Local government, public schools, national social programs
Get answers live — every weekday at .
Apply by
August 15, 2026Know by
October 1, 2026Depart on
March 28, 2027Duration
2 years, plus 3 months trainingAbout the project
Communities across Peru are seeking individuals with a passion for entrepreneurship to strengthen financial literacy and marketing skills.
Many rural communities in Peru face persistent poverty and limited economic opportunities due to historical reliance on subsistence agriculture, geographic isolation, and lack of access to financial education. Women and youth are particularly vulnerable, often excluded from formal economic systems and lacking the skills needed to manage resources or start businesses. These challenges perpetuate cycles of poverty and hinder long-term development.
As a Community Economic Development Facilitator, you will collaborate with community members to strengthen personal finance, entrepreneurship, and leadership skills. Together, you will equip women and youth to manage household finances, create savings groups, and develop small businesses—strengthening families and fostering growth. These efforts will not only improve individual livelihoods but also reduce poverty and promote sustainable development across Peru.
Learn more about what Volunteers do in country by visiting our Peru project page.
Required skills
Qualified candidates will have one or more of the following criteria:
Associate degree in any business discipline, plus two years of full-time, related business work experience post-high school.
OR
Bachelor's degree in any business discipline.
OR
High school diploma or GED and four years of experience in business management.
Language: There are no pre-requisite language requirements for this position.
Required behavioral competencies
These competencies are essential for all service assignments and are assessed in the application and interview process:
Motivation for and commitment to service
Adaptability and open-mindedness
Problem solving and resourcefulness
Behavioral maturity and professionalism
Photos from Peru
How you and the community will make an impact together:
Establish student savings clubs in schools to build financial skills among youth.
Support the creation and operation of community savings groups.
Train community members in personal money management, including budgeting and record-keeping.
Deliver entrepreneurship education and business planning sessions.
Guide youth in developing business plans and preparing for local or national business plan competitions.
Train women’s groups on leadership and financial literacy.
Strengthen knowledge in market assessment, bookkeeping, and marketing for small businesses.
You may also work on additional projects that meet the community’s interests and priorities, such as literacy classes and community-wide recycling campaigns.
Volunteers in Peru typically live with a Peruvian host family in small to mid-sized towns, often provincial or district capitals. Communities may range from 2,000 residents to larger district hubs, and Volunteers often engage with surrounding rural villages. Expect basic amenities, limited internet access, and frequent travel by foot, bicycle, or public transport to reach schools and partner organizations.
Learn more about the living conditions, including detailed information on culture, communications, housing, and health/crime statistics on our Peru country page. You can also delve into stories about local communities by reading our blog or Volunteer stories.
Meet a Volunteer in Peru
Brooke F.
Community Health Facilitator
"Peace Corps provided a unique opportunity to become deeply involved in a new community and form true connections with its people."
See full Volunteer profile
As a Community Economic Development Facilitator, you will be trained on a financial literacy curriculum, community savings banks initiatives, and women’s economic empowerment. Peace Corps/Peru will teach you Spanish to help you comfortably live in and connect with the community. You might also receive language resources and learn Quechua, a local language in some Andean communities.
After 10 weeks of training, you will move to a rural community where you will collaborate with organizations, such as local governments, women’s groups, public schools, and national social programs. You will work with the community to assess the local needs and develop solutions based on sustainable community economic development.
Heterosexual and same-sex couples are accepted for this program. Each person must apply separately and qualify for a position in a different sector than their partner. Couples will live together during training but may separate occasionally for field-based activities. Cohabitating couples are highly encouraged to present themselves as married throughout service due to cultural expectations.
To learn more about serving as a couple in Peru, visit the country page.
Application process
From application to departure takes around nine months. Learn about the application process for Volunteer opportunities.
Medical/legal clearance
You will need to be cleared medically and legally in order to serve in Peru. Review information on medical clearance and legal clearance to learn about the process.
