Youth entrepreneurship fairs: a key initiative for the economic reintegration of young survivors of trafficking in persons
Peruvian professionals from the Ministry of Women and Vulnerable Populations shared their experiences on entrepreneurship fairs, as a tool to empower young survivors of trafficking in persons and support them in finding their way to a decent job.
15 September 2023
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Lima - Educators, social workers and psychologists from the "Tikarisunchis", "Gracia" and "Miski Illariy" Trafficking Specialized Shelters (CARE) in Cusco, San Martin de Porres and Cieneguilla, gathered to share experiences and lessons learned on the implementation of youth entrepreneurship fairs.
This initiative is part of the model for the economic reintegration of young trafficking survivors implemented by the Ministry of Women and Vulnerable Populations (MIMP) and the National Comprehensive Program for Family Welfare (INABIF), in a joint effort with the private sector, and with technical assistance of the ILO.
Entrepreneurship fairs are spaces where young women can sell their products and offer their services, while advancing in their reintegration process, empowering themselves and recognizing that they are capable of succeeding on their own.
"After participating in the fair, our adolescents were very motivated. They even felt encouraged to participate in the school's nutrition project contest. They presented their project of chocolate snacks with sangrecita (chicken blood) and won," said Silvia Porroa, educator at CARE "Tikarisunchis" in Cusco and certified trainer of GET Ahead and Financial Education, two ILO methodologies that she applied to teach the girls how to develop their businesses.
The fairs also contribute to the adolescents' family reintegration process. "In our second fair, the participation of the families was really important. When the families have contact with the adolescents, we can also work on their reintegration. In addition, the families are also a support to protect the sustainability of the businesses when the girls age out of the CARE", explained Nydia Martell, social worker at CARE "Gracia".
The National Protection Coordinator of the ILO's Project "Partnerships in action to end child trafficking in Peru", María Pia Hermoza, highlighted the importance of the support of private companies for the development of the businesses, the implementation of the fairs and the economic reintegration of the adolescents. Private companies donate equipment and tools, provide seed funds to finance the business plans and award scholarships for the specialized professional training of the young survivors.
Angie* is making the most of the potential of this cooperation between INABIF and the business sector to succeed. American Airlines has given her a scholarship to study textile printing. "She is already in the third module of her studies at the National Industrial Work Training Service (SENATI) while she continues developing her business of printing customized T-shirts," explained Hermoza.
This exchange of lessons learned on the impact of the fairs on the lives of adolescents also included the participation of professionals from MIMP's Special Protection Directorate, INABIF's Volunteering Office and the NGO Alternativa (ILO's implementing partner).
This initiative is part of the model for the economic reintegration of young trafficking survivors implemented by the Ministry of Women and Vulnerable Populations (MIMP) and the National Comprehensive Program for Family Welfare (INABIF), in a joint effort with the private sector, and with technical assistance of the ILO.
Entrepreneurship fairs are spaces where young women can sell their products and offer their services, while advancing in their reintegration process, empowering themselves and recognizing that they are capable of succeeding on their own.
"After participating in the fair, our adolescents were very motivated. They even felt encouraged to participate in the school's nutrition project contest. They presented their project of chocolate snacks with sangrecita (chicken blood) and won," said Silvia Porroa, educator at CARE "Tikarisunchis" in Cusco and certified trainer of GET Ahead and Financial Education, two ILO methodologies that she applied to teach the girls how to develop their businesses.
The fairs also contribute to the adolescents' family reintegration process. "In our second fair, the participation of the families was really important. When the families have contact with the adolescents, we can also work on their reintegration. In addition, the families are also a support to protect the sustainability of the businesses when the girls age out of the CARE", explained Nydia Martell, social worker at CARE "Gracia".
The National Protection Coordinator of the ILO's Project "Partnerships in action to end child trafficking in Peru", María Pia Hermoza, highlighted the importance of the support of private companies for the development of the businesses, the implementation of the fairs and the economic reintegration of the adolescents. Private companies donate equipment and tools, provide seed funds to finance the business plans and award scholarships for the specialized professional training of the young survivors.
Angie* is making the most of the potential of this cooperation between INABIF and the business sector to succeed. American Airlines has given her a scholarship to study textile printing. "She is already in the third module of her studies at the National Industrial Work Training Service (SENATI) while she continues developing her business of printing customized T-shirts," explained Hermoza.
This exchange of lessons learned on the impact of the fairs on the lives of adolescents also included the participation of professionals from MIMP's Special Protection Directorate, INABIF's Volunteering Office and the NGO Alternativa (ILO's implementing partner).