Margarita Barney / GRUPEDSAC is

"Social Entrepreneur of the Year 2008"

Mexico

Margarita Barney Almeida

Group to Promote Education and Sustainable Development (GRUPEDSAC)

In Mexico, out of a rural population of 24 million, 56% live below the poverty line. GRUPEDSAC disseminates technologies that help address the lack of water, food insecurity, rural migration and inadequate housing. All technologies are adapted to the respective environment and make sustainable use of the existing natural resources. In addition, GRUPEDSAC revives cultural traditions and resources that have been neglected and underutilized. The group provides environmental training for all sectors of society to raise awareness on the issues that are currently facing the country. Its microfinance programme offers loans for the development of small businesses and housing improvements. Through the sale of handicrafts made from solid wastes and processed food, the organization helps families improve their economic situation.

http://www.grupedsac.org/

Finalist

Alicia Leal Puerta

Alternativas Pacíficas

When Alicia Leal started Alternativas Pacíficas (Peaceful Alternatives) in 1996, domestic violence was not considered to be a crime in Mexico. Violence has affected 16% of Mexican women. The effects of domestic crime lead to significant health issues and have an economic impact. Children growing up with violence at home often perpetrate the violence and pose a threat to public security. Alternativas Pacíficas offers direct services to the affected women, such as medical treatment, legal aid, counselling and a shelter for women and their children providing necessary protection. On average, 5,000 people take advantage of the services per year.

Beyond the direct services, Alternativas Pacíficas designs and implements a campaign at the local, regional and national levels to sensitize the public on the topic of domestic violence, its root causes, consequences and alternative solutions. Alicia Leal sought alliances with similar organizations and founded the National Network of Women Shelters (RENARC), as well as achieved significant legislative changes that led to a network of services for concerned women across the country.

http://www.alternativaspacificas.org

  Finalist

Cecilio Solís Librado

Native Tourism Network (RITA)

For the last few decades, indigenous people have been seen as only gathering for demonstrations, road blocks or to demand services from the government. While these demonstrations are understandable manifestations of the highly impoverished state of indigenous peoples, Cecilio Solís Librado observed that these actions had not led to an improvement in their condition. He founded RITA in 2002 as an indigenous tourism company with fellow indigenous people from 17 different nations and 15 states in Mexico, ranging from Michoacán to the Yucatan Peninsula. Currently, 5,000 members are part of the network.

RITA focuses on designing tour packages, creating the right infrastructure and hotels for tourists, and capacity building for its members. The main anchor is the traditional indigenous culture. RITA is opening its own tour operators in three states to sell its packages to tourists with an interest in experiencing indigenous Mexico.

http://www.rita.com.mx/

 The Finalists - pdf (english)

The Finalists - pdf (spanish)

Press Release (english)

Bienvenido!

     ¿Se considera usted un emprendedor social?

     ¿Conoce usted a alguien que puede ser un emprendedor social?

Entonces este mensaje es para usted.

Estamos buscando al “Emprendedor Social del Año 2008” en  Mexico, una iniciativa de Expansión, de la Fundacion Schwab para el Emprendimiento Social. Este concurso se desarrolla en 30 países del mundo.

1.  ¿Qué es un emprendedor social?  ¿Cuales son los criterios de selección?

2.  Si después de haber leído y reflexionado sobre los criterios de selección, usted se considera ser candidato, complete el formulario de inscripción.  La fecha límite es el 1 de Febrero de 2008.  Los formularios recibidos después de esa fecha no serán considerados.

3.  Si usted conoce a alguien que debería ser candidato, por favor envíale este link

4.  ¿Cual es el premio para el ganador?  Conozca los beneficios de ser el Emprendedor Social del Año.

5. Conozca como funciona el proceso de selección

Lo esperamos!

mexico@schwabfound.org