Projects and Prizes
The Grupo Vidanta
Foundation Prize for “Contributions to the Reduction of Inequality and Poverty
in Latin America and the Caribbean” was recently awarded at the National Museum
of Anthropology in Mexico City. The Organization of American States (OAS) and
the Ibero-American General Secretariat (SEGIB) were involved in awarding the
prize. The entirety of the prize
monies were donated by the Grupo Vidanta Foundation, which was founded by
Daniel Chavez Moran.
The Prize seeks to increase awareness of often little-known efforts to develop greater knowledge and capability in the field; influence public policy decision making; create greater consciousness and motivate public opinion on poverty, inequality and discrimination in Latin America and the Caribbean; promote humanitarian values and cohesion; and encourage corporate philanthropy and social accountability.
This Year's Winners
The $100,000 USD first prize was awarded to Fundación Mundo Mujer (Women's World Foundation), a provider of credit for low-income women and men, micro-entrepreneurs for the informal sector of the economy and independent workers in Columbia since 1985. Of its 293,000 clients, 60 percent are women. Accomplishments include: profit increase by 45 percent; product quality raised by 80 percent; quality of life, nutrition and clothing improvement by 50 percent; and a 35 percent increase in housing quality. They have established alliances with important financial entities in Colombia and beyond, including the IADB, Deutsche Bank and Morgan Stanley.
The $75,000 USD second place award was given to Un Techo para Mi Pais (A Roof for My Country), Chile. Founded in 1999, Un Techo para Mi Pais is a social real estate management entity in Chile. Founded to address the deplorable housing situation for the underserved population, the organization has benefitted 43,000 families among 14 countries in the area, developing strategic alliances with young college students (currently around 200,000), public institutions, in addition to corporate entities that advocate corporate social responsibility.
Third place and $50,000 honored Comunidades de la Tierra (Communities of the Earth), Guatemala. Since 2004, Comunidades de la Tierra has been devoted to entrepreneurial development; nurturing of rural businesses, formation and promotion of community groups, especially women, in low income communities to provide entrepreneurs with market access. Comunidades de la Tierra has supported 1,500 people and calls The Netherlands government one of its advocates.
Runners-up included:
The Selection Committee included past and present distinguished members of state, as well as notable academics:
HEADLINES:
Market Wire: Winners of the Grupo Vidanta Foundation Prize from Colombia, Chile and Guatemala to receive awards for their contributions in the fight against poverty and inequality
The Prize seeks to increase awareness of often little-known efforts to develop greater knowledge and capability in the field; influence public policy decision making; create greater consciousness and motivate public opinion on poverty, inequality and discrimination in Latin America and the Caribbean; promote humanitarian values and cohesion; and encourage corporate philanthropy and social accountability.
This Year's Winners
The $100,000 USD first prize was awarded to Fundación Mundo Mujer (Women's World Foundation), a provider of credit for low-income women and men, micro-entrepreneurs for the informal sector of the economy and independent workers in Columbia since 1985. Of its 293,000 clients, 60 percent are women. Accomplishments include: profit increase by 45 percent; product quality raised by 80 percent; quality of life, nutrition and clothing improvement by 50 percent; and a 35 percent increase in housing quality. They have established alliances with important financial entities in Colombia and beyond, including the IADB, Deutsche Bank and Morgan Stanley.
The $75,000 USD second place award was given to Un Techo para Mi Pais (A Roof for My Country), Chile. Founded in 1999, Un Techo para Mi Pais is a social real estate management entity in Chile. Founded to address the deplorable housing situation for the underserved population, the organization has benefitted 43,000 families among 14 countries in the area, developing strategic alliances with young college students (currently around 200,000), public institutions, in addition to corporate entities that advocate corporate social responsibility.
Third place and $50,000 honored Comunidades de la Tierra (Communities of the Earth), Guatemala. Since 2004, Comunidades de la Tierra has been devoted to entrepreneurial development; nurturing of rural businesses, formation and promotion of community groups, especially women, in low income communities to provide entrepreneurs with market access. Comunidades de la Tierra has supported 1,500 people and calls The Netherlands government one of its advocates.
Runners-up included:
- CE-MUJER, Dominican Republic
- Corporacion Vallenpaz, Colombia
- Desarrollo Autogestionario, AC, Mexico
- Programa de Voluntariado Internacional Juvenil, Costa Rica
The Selection Committee included past and present distinguished members of state, as well as notable academics:
- Mr. Ernesto Zedillo, former President of Mexico
- Mr. Cesar Gaviria, former Colombian President
- Mr. Luis Maira, Chile's ambassador to Argentina and Mexico
- Mr. Carmelo Angulo, Spanish Ambassador to Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Mexico and former representative of the UNPD in Argentina
- Mrs. Billie Miller, a current member of the Barbados Labour Party and former Foreign Minister.
HEADLINES:
Market Wire: Winners of the Grupo Vidanta Foundation Prize from Colombia, Chile and Guatemala to receive awards for their contributions in the fight against poverty and inequality
