We Thrive Together

Holistic program that reduces the gender gap in entrepreneurship through training, support networks, and market access for women.

Municipality

AR
Carcarañá, Santa Fe,

Category / Sub-Category / Topic

Economic development, Gender

Type of investment needed

Grant

Associated SDGs

The challenge

In Carcarañá, Santa Fe, 85% of women entrepreneurs undervalue their products and 90% lack innovation in their production, limiting their growth and the added value of their businesses. (Data obtained through territorial validation).

The project

"We thrive together" is a comprehensive program designed to foster the sustainable growth of local women entrepreneurs in Carcarañá. Recognizing the unique challenges women face in the business world, this initiative offers a continuous support ecosystem that includes personalized mentoring, specialized training, and networking opportunities.

This program stands out for its holistic approach, which goes beyond technical training to address the comprehensive needs of women entrepreneurs. It focuses on developing management skills, building networks, and providing access to key markets, all through a gender perspective that acknowledges and tackles the specific barriers women face.

The program is structured around three main pillars:

  • Comprehensive Training: We offer education in key areas such as financial management, digital marketing, and product development, tailored to the specific needs of women entrepreneurs.
  • Networks and Mentoring: We facilitate the creation of collaborative networks and provide personalized mentoring, connecting women with experts and fellow entrepreneurs.
  • Market Access: We create opportunities for entrepreneurs to showcase and sell their products locally and regionally through fairs, online markets, and strategic partnerships.

"We thrive together" aims to empower women, strengthen their self-esteem and autonomy, and promote equal opportunities. By creating a safe and collaborative space, this initiative fosters the economic and social growth of women entrepreneurs, contributing to the sustainable development of the Carcarañá community.

Know more...


Carcarañá, a city in the province of Santa Fe, Argentina, experienced a surge in local entrepreneurship during the COVID-19 pandemic. Women played a key role in this growth, launching businesses as a response to the economic crisis. However, as their ventures expanded, they encountered significant challenges.

The core issue lies in the lack of access to resources and knowledge—barriers that disproportionately affect women entrepreneurs. It is estimated that in Carcarañá, women receive only 15% of the funding allocated to entrepreneurship, limiting their ability to invest in tools, supplies, and essential raw materials. Moreover, a lack of training in business management and sales strategies—affecting women up to 30% more than men—limits their potential to grow their businesses and compete effectively in the market. This is further compounded by the undervaluation of their products and services, which are priced up to 20% below market value, negatively impacting their income.


The root causes of this problem are multifaceted. On one hand, the economic crisis brought on by the pandemic intensified the lack of job opportunities, prompting women to start businesses out of necessity—often without adequate resources or training. On the other hand, limited access to financing and entrepreneurship programs tailored to women, worsened by structural gender inequality and an unequal burden of unpaid domestic work (up to 75% more than men in some cases), further hinders their development.

In response, the municipality of Carcarañá, in partnership with the national government, implemented the Independent Employment Program (PEI). This initiative has had a positive impact, enabling beneficiaries to invest in their businesses, increase production, and grow their customer base. However, there is a clear need to scale and adapt this program to the evolving needs of women entrepreneurs. Recent data shows that, despite progress, a significant number of women still face difficulties in consolidating their businesses (internal data). That is why the "We Thrive Together" program builds on the foundations of the PEI, offering more comprehensive and sustainable support to women entrepreneurs in Carcarañá.


  • Business Management Training: Courses will be offered in key areas such as financial management, social media, and sales to equip entrepreneurs with the skills needed to scale their ventures. Each year, 35 women entrepreneurs will be trained through 4 courses of 40 hours each, delivered twice a week over a 2-month period.
  • Networking Workshops: Networking events will be organized, including business roundtables and women's empowerment workshops. Six networking workshops will be held annually, each lasting approximately 2.5 hours.
  • Mentorship Program: A mentorship program will connect women entrepreneurs with experts from the local socio-productive and cooperative sectors. There will be 12 mentorship sessions per year, each lasting approximately 1.5 hours.
  • Participation in Fairs: Participation in local and regional fairs will be promoted to showcase local products and expand access to a diverse customer base. Entrepreneurs will attend local fairs monthly and regional fairs quarterly.
  • Ongoing Technical Assistance: Regular technical support will be provided to optimize operations, improve product quality, and address challenges in production and commercialization. Technical assistance will be offered to 35 women entrepreneurs throughout the year, with support provided 4 times per week.
  • Permanent Sales Points: Permanent sales points for local entrepreneurs will be established in tourist areas, specifically in Sarmiento Park and the city center. These sales points will be fixed and ongoing.

Direct Results

  • 35 women entrepreneurs trained annually in Business Management.
  • 6 networking events held annually.
  • 12 annual meetings between entrepreneurs and their mentors.
  • Regular participation in local fairs and growth in sales.
  • Expansion of sales and networks through participation in regional fairs.
  • 35 women entrepreneurs receive technical assistance throughout the year.
  • 2 new permanent sales points for local products.

Expected Impact

  • A 30% increase in the perceived value of products and services offered by local women entrepreneurs by the year 2025.

  • Government of Santa Fe: Ministry of Labor, Employment and Social Security of the Nation (https://www.santafe.gov.ar/trabajo/)
  • Argentine Organization of Women Entrepreneurs (https://www.oame.org.ar/)
  • Avina Foundation (https://www.avina.net/)
  • Food Bank Foundation (https://www.bancodealimentos.org.ar/)
  • Alwa Foundation (https://www.instagram.com/alwa.fundacion/)
  • "SeisUno Coop" Workers' Cooperative (https://sites.google.com/view/seisuno)
  • Technology Transfer and Development Office, School of Architecture, Planning and Design, National University of Rosario (https://fapyd.unr.edu.ar/areas-y-secretarias/secretaria-de-extension-universitaria-vinculacion-y-desarrollo/)
  • Higher Education Institute No. 5 "Perito Francisco Moreno" – Carcarañá Annex (https://iescarcarana.edu.ar/)
  • Technical School No. 486 "Francisco Netri (http://www.eet486.com/home.php)
  • Secondary School No. 237 "José Hernandez (https://www.facebook.com/p/EESO-237-Jos%C3%A9-Hern%C3%A1ndez-100064329570226/)
  • Colegio Niño Jesús de Praga (http://cnjesusdepraga.org/)
  • Argentine Innovation Network (https://polilab.unr.edu.ar/red-de-innovacion-publica-argentina/)
  • Federal Investment Council (https://cfi.org.ar/)
  • Gender Unit of the Argentine Industrial Union (https://www.uia.org.ar/genero-y-diversidad/institucional/)
  • Exintrader (https://catalogo.exintrader.com/)
  • MRG (https://mrgsrl.com.ar/empresa/)
  • Tecnofrig (https://tecnofrig.com.ar/)
  • CADE (https://cade.ar/)
  • Petit Fours (https://www.petitfours.com.ar/)
  • Taesca Industries (https://www.taesca.com.ar/)
  • Independence Cooperative (https://coopindependencia.com.ar/)
  • Sociedad Italiana Mutual Association (https://www.instagram.com/sociedaditaliana.sm/?hl=es)
  • Cremeria Mutual Association (https://mutualcac.com.ar/)
  • Grass Cutter (https://grasscutter.com.ar/)
  • Nuevo Mundo of Carcarañá (https://nuevomundotv.com.ar/)

  • Magalí Chiacchiera, Director of the Secretariat of Production, Employment, and Foreign Trade at the Municipality of Carcarañá (magalichiacchiera@gmail.com).
  • Roxana Moreno, Administrative Officer at the Secretariat of Production, Employment, and Foreign Trade at the Municipality of Carcarañá (roxanamoreno_1977@hotmail.com).
  • Marisol Monti, Administrative Officer at the Secretariat of Production, Employment, and Foreign Trade at the Municipality of Carcarañá (mariisol_carca@hotmail.com).
  • Mónica Bordón, Administrative Agent at the Employment Office in the Municipality of Carcarañá (bordonmonica868@gmail.com).

Investment

(*): In kind/pro bonus

(**): Financing

Goods and inputs
Funds
Needed
Covered
Solicited

Equipamiento completo para ferias locales (**)

u$s 18750.00

u$s 0.00

u$s 18750.00

Equipamiento para punto de venta fijo (**)

u$s 1660.00

u$s 0.00

u$s 1660.00

PC completa para punto de venta fijo (**)

u$s 1160.00

u$s 0.00

u$s 1160.00

Material educativo para capacitaciones (**)

u$s 160.00

u$s 0.00

u$s 160.00

Material áulico para capacitaciones (**)

u$s 780.00

u$s 0.00

u$s 780.00

Computadoras para capacitaciones (*)

u$s 14500.00

u$s 14500.00

u$s 0.00

Refrigerios para talleres de networking (*) (**)

u$s 2856.00

u$s 0.00

u$s 2856.00

Material de difusión publicitaria (**)

u$s 1380.00

u$s 0.00

u$s 1380.00

Services
Funds
Needed
Covered
Solicited

Arancel SADAIC para ferias locales (*)

u$s 1026.00

u$s 1026.00

u$s 0.00

Traslados de equipamiento durante ferias locales (*)

u$s 300.00

u$s 300.00

u$s 0.00

Traslados durante ferias regionales (**)

u$s 200.00

u$s 0.00

u$s 200.00

Alquiler de local para punto de venta fijo (**)

u$s 6000.00

u$s 0.00

u$s 6000.00

Gastos de punto de venta fijo (**)

u$s 1020.00

u$s 0.00

u$s 1020.00

Alquiler de local para capacitaciones (*)

u$s 1000.00

u$s 1000.00

u$s 0.00

Alquiler de local para talleres de networking (*)

u$s 1000.00

u$s 1000.00

u$s 0.00

Mantenimiento y capacitación bromatológica anual (**)

u$s 900.00

u$s 200.00

u$s 700.00

Publicidad (**)

u$s 980.00

u$s 400.00

u$s 580.00

Human resources
Funds
Needed
Covered
Solicited

Honorarios para ferias locales (**)

u$s 636.00

u$s 0.00

u$s 636.00

Salarios de punto de venta fijo (**)

u$s 8040.00

u$s 0.00

u$s 8040.00

Honorarios capacitadores (**)

u$s 1680.00

u$s 0.00

u$s 1680.00

Honorarios oradores (**)

u$s 2100.00

u$s 0.00

u$s 2100.00

Honorarios mentores (*)

u$s 5040.00

u$s 5040.00

u$s 0.00

Honorarios personal de asistencia técnica continua (*)

u$s 1200.00

u$s 1200.00

u$s 0.00

TOTAL AMOUNTS:

u$s 72368.00

u$s 24666.00

u$s 47702.00

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