People with Disabilities Also Venture: A Path to Inclusion
The Global Entrepreneurship Week, celebrated annually in November, is an ideal opportunity to highlight people with disabilities and the organizations that work tirelessly on their behalf. This year, from November 18 to 24, 2024, we celebrate those who, despite barriers, venture into the world of entrepreneurship.
Imagine an inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem where people with various disabilities, residents of small towns in emerging economies, and underrepresented communities, whether systemically or geographically marginalized, have their place. The Global Entrepreneurship Week is the perfect occasion to highlight organizations that, with effort and dedication, work to ensure everyone has opportunities and no one is excluded.
In this context, Fundación Saraki, a DPO based in Asunción, has been a fundamental pillar. Since 2021, with the Mbarete Project, it has supported entrepreneurs with disabilities, empowering them through skills training, creating networks with the public and business sectors, and establishing stores to sell their products. By mid-2024, more than 800 entrepreneurs have been benefited, with over 200 receiving individual mentoring and 76 obtaining funding.
The Mbarete Project addresses the lack of development opportunities for people with disabilities, especially subsistence entrepreneurs. With the support of USAID, the project offers comprehensive training and personalized support, helping to strengthen small businesses. The creation of the Mbarete Network, which includes 20 public and private sector organizations, has been a significant achievement, promoting an inclusive and sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystem.
The Mbarete Project is funded by USAID and private donations, and its success has influenced the tools and services provided by the Ministry of Labor. In the coming years, a digital platform will support 5,000 entrepreneurs, and the Mbarete Network will continue to advocate for public policies and concrete actions to transform Paraguay’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
In 2024, the inclusive store “Nuestras Manos” supported over 20 entrepreneurs, providing spaces in shopping centers to sell their products. Additionally, the National Development Bank launched “Ñamba’apo Porãve,” a financial product for subsistence entrepreneurs without tax registration.
Marta Cañete, an entrepreneur from the Mbarete Project, expresses: “Mbarete has given me more than just a business; it has given me freedom, independence, and the pride of making a meaningful contribution.”
The Global Entrepreneurship Week reminds us that everyone, regardless of their abilities, has the potential to be agents of change and to build a more inclusive and prosperous future.