Winners for $2M Pathways to Prosperity Innovation Challenge Announced
The U.S. Department of State, with the World Environment Center (WEC) and its partners, Context Partners, Baastel, and Earthshift, announced the four winners of the Pathways to Prosperity Innovation Challenge on July 25. These organizations presented the strongest local, high-impact solutions to empower small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Latin America and the Caribbean to address labor and environmental barriers to business. Pending final reviews, each will receive up to US$500,000 and technical support to scale up or replicate their initiatives in the region. The four winners are:
- Lutheran World Relief, Nicaragua – “Mobile Cocoa” builds a network of diverse stakeholders across sectors to improve cacao farmers’ understanding of production and international markets, while connecting them to resources.
- Núcleo Biotecnología Curauma, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Chile – “CompiteMAS” provides SMEs tools to make decisions on technology and sustainability practices, as well as measure and monitor productivity, environmental and social impact.
- CAM GROUP (Informática y Computación Avanzada de México, S.C.), Mexico – The “Integral Measurement System and Productivity Improvement for SMEs” process builds skills for SMEs’ sustainability, while facilitating communication between workers and employers to improve social dialogue.
- Vista Volcanes, S.A., Guatemala – “Capilla Malla Inocua” changes the use of insecticides to protect crop development and create a network of sustainable, small entrepreneurs equipped with the tools to grow their business.
For more photos from the event, please visit www.facebook.com/WorldEnvironmentCenter.
Further information about the winners and challenge can be found at challenge.wec.org/awards, by contacting Ms. Casey Troy at 202-312-1211 or ctroy@wec.org, or by visiting www.pathways-caminos.org.
