Productive Awakening: Microenterprises with a Future
PRODUCTIVE AWAKENING
The Productive Awakening programme is a fundamental support for individuals and families who have started their microenterprises and need to learn about business management. Through this programme, the Foundation develops and strengthens entrepreneurial ventures by promoting business and occupational skills to generate income with a human-centred approach, contributing to the improvement of people’s quality of life and their surroundings.
This programme has also implemented the following special projects based on a culture of humanity and values:
- Rural Entrepreneurs, which focuses on strengthening commercial skills in entrepreneurs from rural areas.
- Training Families for a Better Future, which was carried out in the department of Chocó in Colombia.
ACTIVITIES
The activities of the Productive Awakening programme are developed through a training framework divided into the following sessions:
Training on human development and business development topics, aimed at strengthening the business model by teaching the use of essential business techniques for resource management.
Organisation of seminars to provide participants with additional tools, with the support of specialists in entrepreneurship topics and the organisation of business fairs, where participants who meet the requirements (having a product available for inventory) showcase their products to the general public and other entrepreneurs. Through these spaces, participants have an opportunity to find business expansion and sales consolidation opportunities.
The topics covered during the programme process include business knowledge about governance, commercial and administrative strengthening. Additionally, the curriculum includes content related to tax education, addressing indispensable elements such as RUT, taxes, withholding at source, and electronic invoicing, among other concepts.
The aid provided during the programme includes workshop support materials and refreshments at all training sessions, as well as special gifts presented during the closing ceremonies to acknowledge the participants’ efforts in successfully completing their training.
As part of the programme’s development, the Foundation provides logistical support for the organisation of business fairs, which serve as the closing activities for executed projects and are carried out free of charge for participants. Business roundtables are also held when the project includes participants who meet the required profile.
Additionally, within the framework of association agreements, seed capital is provided in-kind, mainly focused on commercial strengthening.
Special Projects
This programme has included very special projects such as “Training Families for a Better Future,” implemented in the department of Chocó; and “Rural Entrepreneurs,” conducted in the departments of Tolima and Meta, as well as in the municipality of Sáchica (Boyacá).
This project was carried out in partnership with Fundación Bavaria, benefiting nearly 100 people engaged in ecotourism and artisanal fishing in the municipality of Nuquí, Chocó.
The training sessions focused on strengthening these trades and businesses, providing specific advice to each participant.
In 2016, the Rural Entrepreneurs project was implemented for the first time in the municipalities of Chaparral and Rioblanco, Tolima, in collaboration with the Directorate of Territorial Management, under Colombia’s Presidential Department of Social Prosperity. This project benefited 207 coffee and cocoa producers, helping them strengthen the commercialisation of their products through training in values, management, and marketing. Highlights of this project include participants’ involvement in a commercial impact event and a business roundtable. Additionally, the project provided brand redesign assistance and awarded commercial supplies valued at 20 million pesos to the eight associations participating in the programme.
With the support of the Government of the Meta Department, the Rural Entrepreneurs project was implemented in the municipalities of Granada, Lejanías, Cubarral, and El Dorado, benefiting 364 producers. Participants received training in commercial strengthening, participated in business roundtables in Bogotá and Villavicencio, and consolidated their businesses to achieve higher income. All this was based on a culture of values such as honesty, respect, and teamwork. It is worth noting that this project included a radio-based training component for producers who could not attend classes in person.
Through a partnership between the Fundación Internacional María Luisa de Moreno and the Mayor’s Office of Sáchica, Boyacá, the Rural Entrepreneurs project was carried out with the aim of improving the quality of life for 38 women and their families. The initiative fostered skills that enabled them to enhance their personal sustenance and economic income. Beneficiaries received training in human development, arts and crafts, and commercial development.
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Productive Awakening
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