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The\u00a0Social Impact Partner Spotlight\u00a0series highlights various Cisco non-profit organization partners that are helping transform the lives of individuals and communities. This blog features Cisco\u2019s partnership with Agora Partnerships, Bridge International, CARE Peru, Centro Community Partners, Defy Ventures, and Hand in Hand International, highlighting the transformative work each of these organizations are doing in the entrepreneurial and economic empowerment space, especially for underserved communities.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n World Entrepreneurs Day 2024, observed on August 21, celebrates the ingenuity and perseverance of entrepreneurs who are the driving force behind innovation and economic growth worldwide. This year\u2019s theme, \u201cEmpowering Entrepreneurs for a Sustainable Future,\u201d underscores the vital role that entrepreneurs play in creating solutions to global challenges and advancing sustainable development. Learn how some of Cisco\u2019s non-profit partner organizations are enabling the transformative impact of entrepreneurs and fostering environments where their ideas can thrive and lead to a brighter, more sustainable future.<\/p>\n Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) contribute almost 25% of Latin America\u2019s Gross Domestic Product and employ over 60% of the total population. At the same time, SMEs across the region face stagnating productivity growth and increasing vulnerabilities to climate variability and natural resource degradations across the region face stagnating productivity growth and increasing vulnerabilities to climate variability and natural resource degradation.<\/p>\n The importance of SMEs for both economic prosperity and environmental preservation means an investment in the greening and modernization of their business models can have an outsized impact on the region\u2019s overall sustainability.<\/p>\n And yet women-led small and medium enterprises (WSMEs) face technological, economic, cultural, and institutional barriers to improving the environmental footprint of their models \u2013 impeding sustainable and inclusive economic development.<\/p>\n Agora Partnerships strives for a world in which social and environmental sustainability becomes the true business engine for SME growth. With instrumental early-stage ideation and planning funding from Cisco Foundation, Agora designed the content, methodology, architecture, and prototype for an eco-innovation (environmentally positive practices) repository aimed at facilitating the integration of eco innovations in the business operations of traditional WSMEs in Latin America.<\/p>\n The process entailed multiple stages. First, they integrated in Agora\u2019s business training a product that enabled companies to ideate, select, and plan the implementation of eco innovations directly linked to improvements in their bottom line. They then moved on to pilot the content with actual enterprises to validate assumptions, such as cross sectoral applicability and relevance across different enterprise development stages. From there, they created an Ecochallenge fund selecting awardees to fund their plans for testing and learning. Finally, they translated the first two stages into a digital and self-guided format which will allow Agora to create impact at scale by making the content available to audiences beyond Agora\u2019s current program participants \u2013 allowing them to continue to support female entrepreneurs throughout Latin America to make their businesses greener \u2013 and more successful.<\/p>\n Agora Partnerships has many opportunities to help with their efforts. Specifically, the organization needs:<\/p>\n Learn more about Agora Partnerships (en espa\u00f1ol video)<\/span><\/p>\n The Bridge International supports underserved social innovators and emerging entrepreneurs in South Korea and across the globe. Through its online crowdfunding platform which merges the concepts of \u201cdonation\u201d and \u201cinvestment\u201d into one, The Bridge International created a revolving donation model that sustains and builds economic resilience for program beneficiaries and donors.<\/p>\n With Cisco\u2019s Regional Solution Grant, The Bridge International was able to reestablish its online platform. The platform aims to create a sustainable ecosystem of impact donations and additional resources that are crucial for business sustainability of individuals\u2019 dream to become economically independent and be able to give back to others in need. Recently, The Bridge International has enhanced the \u2018Birthday Donation Campaign\u2019 feature, which enables individuals to launch their own campaigns using their birthdays. They can invite friends and family to donate towards social causes they care about to celebrate. This improvement has successfully encouraged more people, both locally and internationally, to participate in these campaigns. The impact of the grant is promising for beneficiaries, including project VietHarvest in Vietnam, Ritma Green in Indonesia, and Jumpaa Comics in Laos.<\/p>\n Bridge International welcomes community support through donations and volunteer involvement:<\/p>\n CARE established a permanent presence in Peru in 1970 following the devastating earthquake in the Ancash region, and in 2012, it was constituted as a Peruvian NGO. For over 50 years, it has implemented over 1000 projects focused on the country\u2019s social development, which have changed the lives of the most vulnerable people. In the last 5 years, CARE Peru has positively impacted the lives of over 7 million people.<\/p>\n CARE Peru\u2019s Girls with Opportunities (GWO) program creates an educational ecosystem that fosters the well-being and educational continuity of adolescent girls, igniting their curiosity to learn and potential to become the best they can be to overcome poverty. The program implements various educational initiatives targeting stakeholders, such as students, teachers, school administrators, families, local authorities, and community leaders. CARE Peru provides a supportive environment, engaging institutions and community leaders to back the program\u2019s implementation. Teachers and school administrators undergo capacity-building programs to integrate the GWO curriculum into school management instruments, ensuring sustainability. Students participate in asynchronous and synchronous learning sessions, developing skills and competencies through initiatives like the \u201cIdea y Emprende\u201d contest, which encourages entrepreneurship and STEAM education.<\/p>\n With Cisco\u2019s Regional Grant support, CARE Peru developed its STEAM initiative which included a pilot of the Cisco Networking Academy course on \u201cGet Connected, \u201d educational instructions and technology training to equip students with essential digital skills and support their creativity for learning and prepare a pathway for a positive future in for underserved girls in rural areas of Peru. Program success includes increased student engagement, knowledge transfer of knowledge to teachers, and program sustainability within participating public\/government schools.<\/p>\n Join CARE Peru\u2019s cause and make a difference. Your support will enable over a thousand students from the Girls with Opportunities project to continue their educational journey and achieve goals they never thought possible. To donate, visit their website or give via PayPal.<\/p>\n As we celebrate World Entrepreneurs Day, it\u2019s essential to highlight the transformative initiatives that are making significant impacts on the entrepreneurial landscape, especially for the underserved. Cisco has been a pivotal partner in Centro\u2019s journey to empower underserved entrepreneurs globally. Through their generous support, Centro has expanded its capabilities and reach, touching the lives of over 1,000 entrepreneurs annually.<\/p>\n Cisco\u2019s investments in Centro\u2019s technology and capacity-building initiatives have been game-changers. With Cisco\u2019s backing, Centro has invested in the Centro App, a comprehensive tool that has revolutionized how entrepreneurs access resources, coaching, and capital and helps track impact. Another significant milestone in the partnership has been the adoption of Salesforce as the centralized database management system. This move has streamlined Centro\u2019s operations and data management practices, ensuring that every decision the organization makes is informed. The inception of Centro Labs, also funded by Cisco, served as an incubator where the groundbreaking idea for the Centro CEO App was conceived. As an AI-driven platform, the Centro CEO App promises to be a cornerstone in Centro\u2019s strategy to equip entrepreneurs with smart tools they need to succeed.<\/p>\n Cisco\u2019s support extends beyond financial assistance\u2014it is a partnership that embraces vision, innovation, and the relentless pursuit of empowering those who aspire to make a difference through entrepreneurship. As Centro looks towards the future, the organization is grateful for Cisco\u2019s unwavering support and excited about the endless possibilities that lie ahead. On World Entrepreneurs Day, Centro celebrates not just the spirit of entrepreneurship but also the partnerships that amplify this spirit. Thanks to Cisco, Centro is not only dreaming of a more inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem but actively building it.<\/p>\n Since 2021, the support from Cisco has been instrumental in helping Centro leverage technology and build innovative solutions to expand its programs and services to reach underserved entrepreneurs. The following are some key highlights of Centro\u2019s impact over the past three years:<\/p>\n Centro believes in trust-based philanthropy and offers a variety of opportunities for support and engagement:<\/p>\n Defy Ventures is a national nonprofit whose mission is to shift mindsets to give people with criminal histories their best shot at a second chance through entrepreneurship, career readiness, well-being, and personal development training programs delivered both in prison and in the community.<\/p>\n Defy\u2019s vision is to cut recidivism rates in half by leveraging entrepreneurship to increase economic opportunity and transform lives. This year, Defy will work with more than 1,000 currently and formerly incarcerated men and women to defy the odds in nine states.<\/p>\n They accomplish this through entrepreneurship and career readiness training programs facilitated both in prison and in the community, with the goal of supporting successful reentry and economic opportunity. Their community-based entrepreneurship programs include business training, executive mentorship, planning grants, and seed capital to help formerly incarcerated individuals achieve their dreams of launching a small business.<\/p>\n Their cornerstone CEO of Your New Life (CEO YNL) prison program provides participants, (called Entrepreneurs in Training or EITs), with entrepreneurship skills, personal development, career readiness, and reentry preparation through a five-volume, 2000-page set of printed textbooks and the submission of assignments via collection of paper copies.<\/p>\n With support from Cisco Foundation, Defy is transforming this curriculum into a tablet-based program, which will enable a significant leap forward. With the ability to deliver learning via tablets, they will be able to improve their program with \u00a0 rich content (such as supplementary videos), electronic data collection, and increased communication with program participants both during and after the program. Tablets will also enable them to expand their reach to serve more people and in more locations \u2013 meaning more justice-impacted men and women will now have a fair chance.<\/p>\n Worldwide, around 10% of women \u2013 400 million \u2013 live trapped below the poverty line of just $2.15 a day. In the places Hand in Hand works, such as Kenya, Tanzania, India, and Afghanistan, there are few opportunities for formal employment. For these women, entrepreneurship is the only route out of poverty. However, in many of these communities, over 60% of women can\u2019t make everyday decisions without their husband\u2019s permission. Others yearn to start small businesses but lack access to the training, loans and resources needed to begin.<\/p>\n When women lose, everyone loses. Families, communities and even nations become trapped in a cycle of poverty.\u00a0 But given the opportunity, women can break those cycles and shape the future they want.<\/p>\n Hand in Hand equips under-served women with skills and resources to earn more money and ignite local economies, lifting nations out of poverty. Through a proven model focused on skills acquisition, credit access and market connections, Hand in Hand has reached 9 million women entrepreneurs via its global network. However, until now the skills acquisition component of Hand in Hand\u2019s model has focused exclusively on in-person training. In rural areas in particular, local business trainers spend a huge amount of time on the road \u2013 limiting the number of women the NGO can reach.<\/p>\n This year, Hand in Hand has partnered with CISCO to develop and test a targeted, inclusive e-learning platform in Kenya \u2013 to complement its in-person business training.<\/p>\n Share:<\/p>\n \n \t<\/div>\nAgora Partnerships<\/strong><\/h2>\n
![\"Agora](\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/blogs-images\/ciscoblogs\/1\/2024\/08\/agora-partnership-logo-300x110.png\"){kind=logo}
\u201cParticipating in the Eco challenge has been an opportunity to see my enterprise with another perspective, not just in search of innovation opportunities, but of a social and environmental legacy, that can transcend other generations and even other geographies.\u201d
\u2014Female entrepreneur leader of a professional audio services company<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n![\"Honduras'](\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/blogs-images\/ciscoblogs\/1\/2024\/08\/Agora-Partnerships-2024-baking-entrepreneur-300x300.jpeg\")
How Agora Partnerships is making a difference:<\/h2>\n
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Bridge International<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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\u201cWe provide capacity-building consultations and training to create innovative and catalytic approaches to entrepreneurs. We also provide crowdfunding opportunities to increase access to financial resources and public visibility for the social businesses that we support all over the region of Asia.\u201d
<\/em><\/strong>\u2014Ahlim Kim, Program Director<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n![\"Ritma](\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/blogs-images\/ciscoblogs\/1\/2024\/08\/The-Bridge-International-2024-Ritma-Green1-1-300x238.jpg\")
How Bridge International is making a difference:<\/h2>\n
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CARE Peru<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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\u201cCARE has advocated for women entrepreneurship at a national scale. We aim to contribute to a resilient and inclusive economy by unleashing the power of growth-oriented women entrepreneurs. We support women entrepreneurs to feel confident, resilient, in control, and equipped to grow their businesses, so they gain economic power in their households, communities, and economies.\u201d
\u2014<\/strong><\/em>Marilu Martens, National Director at CARE Peru<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/blogs-images\/ciscoblogs\/1\/2024\/08\/Estudiante-de-Amazonas-1-300x224.png\")
How CARE is making a difference:<\/h2>\n
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Centro Community Partners<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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\u201cAt Centro, we believe entrepreneurship is a powerful catalyst for economic transformation and social mobility. By equipping underserved entrepreneurs with tailored technical assistance, access to capital, and dedicated coaching, we empower them to turn their visions into sustainable businesses. Our commitment lies in nurturing their bold ideas into thriving enterprises that not only benefit the entrepreneurs themselves but also enrich their communities.\u201d
\u2014Arturo Noriega, Founder and CEO<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n![\"Wanda](\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/blogs-images\/ciscoblogs\/1\/2024\/08\/Centro-2024-woman-entrepreneur-in-kitchen-edited-300x201.jpg\")
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Defy Ventures<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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\u201cI have never felt quite so complete, empowered, knowledgeable, secure, and confident about opening my very own business. I was previously incarcerated, and a former drug addict and my business ideas were just that\u2014 ideas and dreams. . . until I came into Defy Ventures\u2019 entrepreneur program!\u201d
\u2014Carol Anne Madonia, Founder and CEO of That Meatball Collective<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n![\"Newly](\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/blogs-images\/ciscoblogs\/1\/2024\/08\/Y8A9410-300x200.jpg\")
Since inception, Defy has achieved the following impact:<\/h2>\n
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How to get involved:<\/h2>\n
Hand in Hand International<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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\u201cThe women we work with face a host of restrictive norms and attitudes that keep them from earning their own incomes, and so are more likely to be digitally excluded. Thanks to our partnership with Cisco, we will be able to unlock the power of technology to equip even more women entrepreneurs with the skills and resources they need to launch thriving businesses, lifting more families out of poverty.\u201d
\u2014Amalia Johnsson, Deputy CEO, Hand in Hand International<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n![\"Entrepreneur](\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/blogs-images\/ciscoblogs\/1\/2024\/08\/Hand-In-Hand-2024_KIM_7485-edited-300x200.jpg\")
How Hand in Hand is making a difference:<\/h2>\n
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How to get involved with Hand in Hand:<\/h2>\n
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