Call for applications for the third edition of the CABEI-SOLIDARIOS Microenterprise Awards 2023 is launched
Microfinance institutions will be able to apply for their clients until October 18th.
Santo Domingo, October 12th, 2023 - Starting this Thursday, micro, small and medium-sized entrepreneurs from the Dominican Republic and other countries in the region will have the opportunity to participate in the third edition of CABEI-SOLIDARIOS a la Microempresa 2023. An initiative promoted by the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI) through its Social Support Foundation (FAS) and Solidarios, Council of American Development Foundations.
The purpose of the Program is to train, recognize and reward micro, small and medium-sized entrepreneurs in order to encourage the generation of innovative initiatives, strengthen their capacities for a more efficient management of resources, facilitate their access to the financial sector and promote the financial inclusion of MSMEs at the regional level, with special emphasis on businesses led by women.
On this occasion, a total of 18 winning microenterprises will be awarded in 9 categories, where special recognition will be given to the Entrepreneurial Woman, as well as to the financial institution that develops a joint strategy in offering microcredit and training programs and also includes digital strategies to provide better service to customers.
The Director of the Dominican Republic at CABEI, Hostos Rizik, emphasized that these awards seek to promote and encourage microenterprise activity in various sectors of the economy and motivate the inclusive participation of the private sector in comprehensive social and economic development efforts in the region.
Likewise, Mercedes Canalda de Beras-Goico, representative of Solidarios, Council of American Development Foundations, emphasized that in this version the awards are focused on training clients and closing the digital divide, and encouraged microfinance institutions to apply for their clients that develop entrepreneurship initiatives with a focus on gender, environmental responsibility and entrepreneurship for education.
Applications may be submitted by microfinance institutions from Thursday, October 12th through Wednesday, October 18th at the offices of Solidarios, which will be evaluated within the different categories of awards and recognitions, after completing a selection process by the jury committee.
Subsequently, in the evaluation process, nominees will have the opportunity to obtain extra points for having participated and completed the virtual modules of the training program, which will be available from October 24th as a free training accompaniment for nominated companies and their employees.
The launch was attended by regulated institutions, the ASFLs and cooperatives that provide financing and financial and non-financial products and services to the MSME sector in the country, as well as the ABANCORD, REDOMIF and AIRAC associations.