Integrating training in small business management, entrepreneurial behavior and strategic planning – by combining in person classes, practical activities and access to a digital platform – is the foundation of the methodology applied by the Espaço Empreendedor Pra Frente (Entrepreneurial Space for Moving Forward).
The initiative is the result of the partnership between the Dom Cabral Foundation and(FDC) and the Fraternity – International Humanitarian Federation (FIHF), through its affiliate, the Fraternity – International Humanitarian Missions (FIHM), with the support of the National Bank for Economic and Social Development (BNDES) and the Movement for Greater Good (MBM). The project benefits indigenous immigrants, refugees and local indigenous communities, expanding opportunities for trainings and the generation of income within contexts of greater social vulnerability.
As a result of this training course, two participants from Roraima were awarded Seed Funding from the Dom Cabral Foundation, in the amount of R$ 1,500.00 each. The recognition caught the attention of the national project team, since some participating cities didn’t have projects selected.
According to Helder, the representative of the Dom Cabral Foundation, the performance of the participants from Roraima was a positive surprise, especially considering the group’s profile and the challenges of the territory. The evaluation took into consideration online reports completed at the end of each class, interactions on the digital platform, and monitoring through artificial intelligence tools, highlighting the engagement and consistency of the projects developed in the state.
This result reinforces the impact of the initiative in Roraima and the power of the training work being carried out, demonstrating that, even in contexts marked by structural limitations, it’s possible to achieve significant results when there’s access to quality training, continuous monitoring, and a strengthening of local leadership.
Through this program, each participant has the opportunity to advance in the development of their own business, from the conception of the idea to the structuring of the first actions.
The implementation in Boa Vista also counted on a network of supporters: the Humanitarian Logistics Task Force, through Operation Welcome, ensured a physical space for the training and enabled the participation of immigrants; the PiriLampos organization provided transportation for indigenous beneficiaries; and the social educator Jaqueline Rodrigues, nominated by the Fraternity – Humanitarian Missions (FIHM) and trained by FDC, was responsible for applying the methodology and closely monitoring the participants throughout the learning process.
Monitoring the entrepreneurs’ journey
In this first edition in Boa Vista, there were 60 entrepreneurs served, a number that should reach around 100 people throughout the coming year. The training program includes seven in-person meetings, access to the digital platform Pra Frente Play – which brings together videos, podcasts, e-books and practical activities – and an exhibition fair for the presentation of the businesses at the end of the program.
On finishing the course, the participants will receive a training certificate and will be eligible to compete for seed funding of R$ 1,500.00, allocated to the 50 best projects selected nationwide by the Dom Cabral Foundation.
Social Investment
The project is an offshoot of the partnership established between the Dom Cabral Foundation, BNDES, and the Bem Maior (Greater Good) Movement, launched in October 2022. The total investment is R$ 12.7 million, with R$ 6.3 million coming from the BNDES Social Fund, and R$ 4 million contributed by MBM, with the goal of benefiting 30,000 low-income entrepreneurs throughout Brazil.
First Impact: Entrepreneurs’ Fair
The impact of this collaboration is beginning to appear concretely. The first two groups have completed the training cycle and, as a direct result, the First Entrepreneurs’ Fair of Space for Moving Forward (Espaço Pra Frente) was held, bringing together around 40 exhibitors from the areas of gastronomy, handicrafts, fashion and services. The fair has become a space for presenting businesses to the public, circulating products, strengthening networks and promoting the local economy.
For the training team, the event marks an important milestone. According to the group responsible for the classes, the fair represents “an important step for participants to put what they have learned into practice, strengthening their networks, and feeling the support of the community.”
In her words, Sister Maria Jerusalém highlighted: “The inauguration of the Entrepreneurial Space is an important step in strengthening the autonomy and integration of Brazilian indigenous communities, Venezuelan immigrants, and refugees in Roraima. Our commitment is to support initiatives that expand opportunities for training, income generation, and community leadership.”
Helder highlights the institution’s strategic vision and affirms that the Entrepreneurial Space is here to transform realities: “By empowering micro and nano-entrepreneurs, we open the way for each participant to discover their potential and be able to structure their own business. It is an investment that strengthens self-esteem, self-sufficiency, and local economic development.”
The combined efforts of the institutions create conditions for new entrepreneurs to strengthen their businesses and expand their sources of income. The graduation of the first classes and the holding of the fair have already shown concrete results of this process.
With new classes planned and the support of the organizations involved, the Espaço Empreendedor Pra Frente (Entrepreneurial Space Forward) continues to expand opportunities and contributing to the socioeconomic autonomy of the indigenous peoples and to a sustainable development in the region.
