The organization is working in the area to support local entrepreneurs with financing through microcredits and training so they can grow their businesses.
Banigualdad Foundation emerged in 2006 in the Metropolitan Region as a support alternative for those who undertake out of necessity within vulnerable life situations, without opportunities or access to financing. Today, the organization is present in 11 regions of the country through 16 branches deployed in 184 communes in Chile.
One of them is the O’Higgins Region, which has more than 1,600 entrepreneurs who actively participate. In addition to receiving support through microcredits, they also participate in training related to financial management, marketing, strategic planning and other topics related to their needs.
“In our area we strive to deliver a quality and methodological service. The centers that exist here are supportive and mutually concerned about fulfilling their commitments. On the other hand, training is important since it allows them to have better tools for their business, so that they can prosper in the future,” explains Katherine Contreras, supervisor of the area belonging to the O’Higgins Region.
This is the case of Julio Contreras Espinoza, who lives in the commune of Rancagua and has been an entrepreneur for more than 9 years. Throughout his career he has developed three businesses that reflect his versatility and creativity: in summer he is dedicated to the sale of waters and beverages, in winter he offers a wide variety of nuts, and specifically in September he specializes in the sale of kites. .
Wanting to grow his businesses and strengthen his family’s livelihood, Julio came to Fundación Banigualdad in 2019 with the hope of obtaining a microcredit that would allow him to acquire tools to improve the preparation and conservation of his products.
That’s how he decided to dare and joined the group of entrepreneurs who are part of his commune. Little by little they acquired the necessary support to be able to promote their own businesses and even received training to make proper use of their resources and thus be able to maximize their projects.
«After the pandemic, times became very difficult, but Banigualdad helped me a lot with my businesses. The support received was fundamental, since it is money that no bank would have given me,” says Julio about his experience with Fundación Banigualdad.
Those who want to get their businesses off the ground can learn about the requirements and request financing at www.banigualdad.cl. If you have questions, you can also write directly to [email protected].
