S4S Choco & Putumayo | S4S International

School for Startups Chocó & Putumayo

The

Brief

In support of embedding the peace process after the peace accords were signed in Colombia, S4S delivered a program working with Afro-Colombian and Indigenous women in Quibdo and Putumayo. The “Women empowerment project through entrepreneurship” was financed by the United states embassy in Colombia and the Security and Peace Fund. The program worked with 30 women from each of the two regions.

The

activities

The project had 3 specific objectives: To increase participant ́s effectiveness with respect to business and entrepreneurship skills and knowledge. To Increase the active participation of women in cooperatives and business associations. To help the businesses become scalable and grow. The program lasted six months and included intensive training, ongoing mentoring and a festival at the end to celebrate the young businesses.

The

Result

The result was the 60 women, and the cooperatives were able to move from “informal” businesses to officially established businesses, they grew sales outside of the Chocó and Putumayo regions, and create independence for themselves as women led household

To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key.

Since I started with the program I have learned more to market my product to leave the fear to offer it, the change has been total since sales have improved and I need now more product to assist all my new

customers. I have also involved my family and with them I see that the company is growing.

Adriana Zambrano H.