With an investment of $2 million over the next 3 years, the goal is to train 600 women entrepreneurs in vulnerable situations in 10 cities in the country. These women in vulnerable situations (migrants, LGBTI community, indigenous nationalities, people with different abilities and others) will be part of the Poder project co-financed by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by Impaqto from Ecuador.

Mujeres al Volante graduated its second class, 22 students received their Type E licenses

The first edition of this project culminated in a fair and graduation ceremony on September 26 at the Artesanal Portal (EDEC) in Cuenca. A training program is currently being developed in the province of Pastaza, the launch was held last October 17 at the Intipungo training center in Puyo, where more than 60 entrepreneurs participated in the first training module on entrepreneurship issues and the GBV Awareness workshop.

The training will continue virtually and in person for another 7 weeks. The program will end with the Festival of Entrepreneurship, which will be held on December 15, and the graduation ceremony will take place a day later, on December 16. Likewise, it will continue in Guayaquil, Ambat, Loja, Quito, Ibarra, Manta and Galapagos.

Giomar Cajeca, one of the trainers of entrepreneurs in the city of Puyo, highlighted the project. “This space allows us to be better human beings, to be reciprocal with other women to improve ourselves as entrepreneurs and working women, which we are. But more than anything, it allows us to form a community among ourselves to strengthen our business. Women need national support, knowledge and training to move forward. We are the strength of our family and our society,” said Cajeca.

For her part, Ana Ortiz, the technical coordinator of the project, indicated that this initiative develops in comprehensive training cycles, which, in addition to improving technical and soft skills, operates from a holistic view of the female entrepreneur: emotional support, family planning and mentoring in various topics such as what are finance and the basics of accounting; marketing and sales; digital sales; legal concepts, technology, leadership and awareness of gender violence issues.

Equality and the reduction of the gender gap are also promoted on the stock market

“Project Power was created to create a powerful network of business leaders; We are also working on a community strengthening component where people share the learnings gained during the process with other entrepreneurs in the country,” said Ortiz. He added that a national network will be created from this experience that will last after the intervention and the closing of the cycle.

How to participate in Poder?

Entrepreneurs should keep an eye out for call announcements for each city on Impaqto (@impaqtoec) social media.

In the publications you will find a registration link that you must fill out. If selected, they will be contacted by phone and email.

The requirements are as follows:

● The main requirement is to have a permanent job run by women. The fact that they don’t have RUC or RIMPE is not a limitation.

● If the RUC is presented, it must be registered in the name of the applying entrepreneur.

● Be between 18 and 60 years old.

● Be a woman residing in or near the areas to be intervened.

● The project does not exclude entrepreneurs because of their gender identity, religion, disability, origin, ethnicity, etc.