For decades Medellin's poor Comunas have been hubs for criminal violence. The lethal combination of violence and poverty limits socio-economic development in the area. However not all the residents of the poor Comunas are standing by! This project supports local entrepreneurs by reinforcing their business strategy, finding new markets and providing an online business tool kit. These entrepreneurs display immense courage and offer young people an alternative to crime.
Entrepreneurs from poor Comunas face difficulties in accessing new markets primarily due to security issues. While many of them have developed innovative products and services that could benefit the broader community, they are unable to reach them. This is primarily because entrepreneurs lack the means and the knowledge to expand their market. Simultaneously, in their current situation they are unable to generate enough income to live and are therefore stuck in poverty trap.
Despite the many security challenges, there are a small number of brave and legitimate entrepreneurs who are attempting to make a better future for themselves and their families. This project will empower 10 local family businesses by improving their product's development process, boosting their corporate identity and providing marketing services including a social media strategy, which will allow them to expand their market.
The project's long-term impact strategy is to educate 10 entrepreneurs from poor Comunas, providing them with the administrative and marketing skills required to commercialize their products across the city. Over time, the entrepreneurs will become local socio-economic leaders, giving them the opportunity to share their knowledge with others. Importantly, they will provide an example and an alternative to criminal violence for future generations.
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).
