Tag: 3BL

LITTLE ROCK, Ark., October 1, 2024 /3BL/ – This summer, Entergy Arkansas provided nearly $380,000 through our “Beat the Heat” efforts, helping our low-income customers and communities stay cool and pay their bills throughout the summer. Through Entergy Arkansas’ “Beat the Heat” program, customers received bill payment assistance, fans, energy efficiency kits, home weatherization and invaluable support from local community partners. 

“We are committed to helping our customers manage their energy costs during times of high usage by providing bill payment assistance, energy efficiency products and services and other resources,” said Ventrell Thompson, vice president of customer service for Entergy Arkansas. “We understand the financial challenges many of our customers face, and we are here to support them.”

For decades, Entergy Arkansas has partnered with local organizations to ease the burden of hot summer temperatures resulting in increased usage and higher energy costs for our most vulnerable customers. Year after year, this collaborative program provides our customers with energy bill assistance, tools and resources, and support during the critical summer months. Through this program the company:

Donated more than $300,000 in funds from Entergy shareholders, employees and customers to The Power to Care program, which provides energy bill assistance to older adults and customers with disabilities.Provided customers with free access to Single Stop, an online resource that connects households in need with financial assistance and more.Awarded more than $12,000 in grants to vulnerable customers to provide free resources like electric fans and home weatherization kits.Donated to local organizations that weatherized homes for customers in need.Held in-person customer service events in underserved communities, providing customers with assistance and resources to help manage their bills, energy efficiency kits, pro bono legal aid, Kids to College savings accounts and more.Provided more than 600 free electric fans to help customers beat high temperatures and save on electricity bills throughout the summer.Distributed 70 energy efficiency kits to customers. The kits included money-saving LED lightbulbs, advanced power strips, bathroom faucet aerators and V-seal weatherstripping.

Entergy Arkansas is dedicated to ensuring all customers have access to the resources and support they need to stay safe and comfortable year-round. To learn more about our customer assistance programs, visit billtoolkit.entergy.com.

About Entergy Arkansas 
Entergy Arkansas, LLC provides electricity to approximately 730,000 customers in 63 counties. Entergy Arkansas is a subsidiary of Entergy Corporation, a Fortune 500 electric company. Entergy powers life for 3 million customers through our operating companies in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. We’re investing in the reliability and resilience of the energy system while helping our region transition to cleaner, more efficient energy solutions. With roots in our communities for more than 100 years, Entergy is a nationally recognized leader in sustainability and corporate citizenship. Since 2018, we have delivered more than $100 million in economic benefits each year to local communities through philanthropy, volunteerism and advocacy. Entergy is headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana, and has approximately 12,000 employees. For the latest news from Entergy Arkansas, visit the Newsroom and connect with @EntergyArk on social media.

WILDLIGHT, Fla., October 1, 2024 /3BL/ – Rayonier today announced the launch of ForestryCareers.com, a new website designed to educate students and career seekers about the diverse and rewarding opportunities available in the forestry industry.

ForestryCareers.com provides a wealth of educational resources specifically tailored to the forestry sector. Educators, guidance counselors and parents can utilize the site’s interactive lessons, informative videos and a career resources guide to introduce students to the diverse career paths available in the industry. The website offers a comprehensive exploration of forestry careers, featuring detailed profiles and salary information for a variety of roles. Students can discover the many ways they can contribute to the industry, from sustainable forest management to innovative wood product development.

“We’re excited to launch this new website and help more people discover the fulfilling careers available in forestry,” said Tiffany Wilson, director of strategic communications at Rayonier. “The forestry industry plays a vital role in our economy and environment, and we need talented individuals to join our ranks and help us manage forests sustainably for generations to come.”

ForestryCareers.com is a valuable resource for:

Students exploring career optionsParents and guidance counselors looking for information about forestry careersTeachers seeking educational materials about forestryForestry professionals interested in connecting with the next generation

The website is part of Rayonier’s broader commitment to promoting forestry education and career development. The company also partners with schools and universities to offer internships, scholarships, and other programs that support students interested in forestry.

About Rayonier

Rayonier (NYSE:RYN) is a leading timberland real estate investment trust with assets located in some of the most productive softwood timber growing regions in the United States and New Zealand. We own or lease under long-term agreements approximately 2.7 million acres of timberlands. We are More than trees because we recognize that our 90+ years of success in the timberland industry comes from our people, an empowering culture and the courage to constantly challenge “the way it’s always been done.” Get to know us at www.rayonier.com.

Contact: Alejandro Barbero, (904) 553-4914 alejandro.barbero@rayonier.com

In the rapidly evolving world of artificial intelligence (AI), diversity is not just a value—it’s an imperative. International Women in AI Day, celebrated on October 1, shines a spotlight on the contributions and challenges faced by women in this expanding field. This day aims to recognize and amplify the voices of women in AI while encouraging women to pursue more opportunities in the area.

Understanding International Women in AI Day

International Women in AI Day was established by Cadence to foster gender diversity in AI. This annual event focuses on celebrating successes, highlighting challenges, and advocating for more inclusive opportunities. The goal is to create more pathways for women to enter and excel in AI, ultimately enriching the field with diverse perspectives and talents.

Why This Day Matters for Women and the Tech Industry

The importance of International Women in AI Day extends beyond recognition. For women, it’s a call to action to seize opportunities and make their mark in AI. For the tech industry, it’s a reminder of the innovation lost without gender diversity. Currently, less than 20% of AI professionals are women, underscoring a significant gap that needs addressing.

By celebrating this day, we can inspire women and girls to pursue careers in AI, providing them with role models and networks that can support their aspirations. At the same time, organizations can reflect on their practices, ensuring they’re doing enough to foster a culture of inclusion and equality.

The Role of Fem.AI in Gender Equity

Fem.AI, a dynamic initiative launched by Cadence, is at the forefront of driving gender equity in the tech sector. With a $20 million commitment, Fem.AI aims to close the gender gap in AI through strategic partnerships, funding for nonprofits, and support for women-led ventures.

Fem.AI focuses on key leakage points where women often lose traction in tech careers. Their efforts extend from supporting women in completing STEM education to assisting with job placement and retention in tech roles. By addressing these challenges, Fem.AI is paving the way for a more balanced and diverse AI workforce.

How to Get Involved

Engagement in International Women in AI Day can take many forms. Whether you’re an individual or an organization, there are numerous ways to participate:

Raise Awareness – Share stories of women who have contributed significantly to AI. Highlight the importance of diversity in tech.Encourage Participation – Mentor women and girls interested in AI. Develop outreach programs that showcase the potential of AI careers.Support Career Growth – Provide networking opportunities and resources to help women advance in their careers. Ensure systems are in place to support women at each stage of their professional journeys.Partnerships – Collaborate with nonprofit organizations, companies, and institutions to drive systemic change. By partnering with other organizations and building coalitions, you can deepen the collective impact and create a more equitable tech industry.

Celebrating Achievements and Looking Ahead

Today, industry, academia, nonprofit, and gender equity leaders are convening for the inaugural Fem.AI Summit. This summit will serve as a catalyst for cross-sector collaboration, driving innovative solutions for gender equity in AI.

International Women in AI Day is more than just a celebration; it’s an opportunity to reflect on the progress made and the work to be done. By coming together, we can build a future where women have equal opportunities to contribute and succeed in AI, driving the field forward with innovative ideas and diverse perspectives.

Take the Next Step

For those looking to deepen their involvement, consider joining the Fem.AI Alliance. This platform provides opportunities for mentorship, learning, and collaboration, ensuring women have the support needed to thrive in tech.

International Women in AI Day reminds us of the potential that lies in diversity. Together, let’s champion change and create a tech industry where everyone, regardless of gender, can flourish.

Visit Fem.AI to learn more about how you can make a difference.

Originally published in Jazz Pharmaceuticals’ 2023 Corporate Sustainability and Social Impact Report

Management Approach

The founders of Jazz created a company based on culture, a strong sense of purpose for delivering life-changing medicines and the ambition to create a great place to work. More than two decades later, Jazz remains a purpose-led, people-centric and performance-driven company. Our origin story remains the cornerstone of our culture and informs our approach to our People pillar.

Our talent is one of our most important assets. We attract and retain a diverse set of employees, ensuring we have the critical capabilities to successfully operate our business. We aim to create a welcoming and inclusive environment where people can thrive as they work together to impact the lives of our patients and their families.

We build people programs, practices and initiatives around our purpose and culture, which support our aim for Jazz to be the best work experience of our employees’ careers.

Employee Engagement: Cultivating Our Unique Culture

We believe connections matter. In order to transform the lives of patients, we must first focus on our people, ensuring we create a culture that enables them to do their best work.

CONTINUOUS LISTENING

A core element of our people strategy is to listen, learn and improve. Our active employee listening strategy allows us to determine areas for improvement to ensure the business environment is aligned to one global culture. This approach leverages a variety of listening methods, including surveys, focus groups, leader listening sessions, Employee Resource Teams and town halls.

Jazz conducts recurring employee Pulse surveys to gather feedback on what our employees value about the workplace experience, consistently achieving participation rates above 75%. Survey results are shared fully and openly with all employees, providing valuable insights into where to focus, prioritize and create a greater sense of belonging while informing initiatives aligned to our corporate objectives. Management actively engages employees on the results, and action plans are implemented where there are areas for improvement.

At Jazz, we truly appreciate the feedback we receive from our employees. Our 2023 Pulse surveys showed positive results with 85% of respondents indicating they feel connected to our purpose to transform the lives of patients and their families and 81% recommending Jazz as a good place to work.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION AND BELONGING (DEIB)

Jazz strives to create a workplace culture that encourages everyone to be their authentic selves. Building a sense of belonging by championing DEIB drives better business outcomes and creates a better environment for our employees to do their best work.

At Jazz, we are committed to:

Create and embrace diversity in our workplace, leadership and beyondEncourage all to learn more about challenges and inequities in societyEnsure our policies and processes are equitableFoster DEIB in the world around us by investing in employee resources and support

EMPLOYEE RESOURCE TEAMS AND AFFINITY FORUMS

Creating a sense of belonging for all employees is an important aspect of embracing diversity and ensuring we foster a culture of acceptance and inclusion. To this end, we created Employee Resource Teams (ConcERTos) where every employee can find membership and allyship.

Our ConcERTos were established with the intention that every employee has unique offerings and diverse experiences to offer and were established as broad self-led teams of employee volunteers. These teams deliver global events to educate the organization on important issues, celebrate important dates on our cultural calendar, foster allyship, amplify inclusive tools and resources to drive innovation, create opportunities for community and connection and act as employee listening hubs to share feedback supporting business and work practice decisions.

We have three active ConcERTos, including:

Inclusion for Innovation. Leveraging our people to make Jazz a better place to work and help us improve to impact more patients’ lives through inclusive work practicesCommunity Beat. Strengthening the bond between our people by fostering social connection and giving back to our communities (see the Community Pillar section of this report for further details)All Dimensions of Diversity. Connecting our people from a diverse range of backgrounds to educate the business, build connections and improve allyship

In addition to our unique approach to ConcERTos, we have five active Affinity Forums at Jazz that partner closely with our All Dimensions of Diversity ConcERTo. Affinity Forums are open to all employees and provide a space for employees from traditionally underrepresented groups and their allies to build community, while engaging in educational and other activities. The five forums include, ¡HOLA Jazz! (Hispanic Organization for Leadership Advancement), JazzSoul, JAWS (Jazz Association for Women Supporters), Jazz Pride and Pan-Asian. In 2023, our ConcERTos and Affinity Forums led seven global events aimed at educating employees, including events for International Women’s Day, Juneteenth and Pride Month.

We believe our differentiated approach to employee-led action provides an environment that creates opportunities for all Jazz employees, regardless of background, to find belonging in the workplace. This inclusive approach inspires active engagement toward our DEIB efforts across the company, with 32% of employees active in our ConcERTo and Affinity Forums at the end of 2023.

Learn more about Jazz Pharmaceuticals commitment to progress, responsibility and innovation in its 2023 Corporate Sustainability and Social Impact Report

RESTON, Va., October 1, 2024 /3BL/ – Leidos (NYSE:LDOS), a Fortune® 500 innovation company, was recently awarded the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) Development, Maintenance, Support, and Modernization contract by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC’s) National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases. Leidos will leverage its data management and mission software expertise to continue delivering a secure NHSN platform, including the necessary support applications and inputs from partnering federal agencies. The contract has a total value of $51 million over a five-year period of performance.

“NHSN is a critical cornerstone in enhancing patient safety and healthcare delivery across the U.S.,” said Liz Porter, Leidos Health & Civil Sector president. “Since the inception of NHSN in 2003, our collaboration with the CDC has empowered over 160,000 users at more than 38,000 facilities with reliable and actionable data. Our combined efforts ensure the secure transmission of healthcare data across evolving sites of care, driving improvements in patient outcomes and fostering system modernization and efficiency.”

Leidos will work to continue to advance and modernize the NHSN application. NHSN facilitates electronic messaging directly from electronic health records; informs rapid, tailored infection prevention; and allows decision-makers to monitor healthcare system capacity. Additionally, the platform tracks vaccination uptake in healthcare settings, monitors blood safety errors, and helps prevent the spread of emerging and enduring threats, such as COVID-19, healthcare associated infections, and antimicrobial-resistant infections.

The NHSN serves nearly all U.S. hospitals, nursing homes, dialysis facilities, and ambulatory surgery centers. This contract will extend Leidos’ support in providing the critical data necessary to understand the success of prevention efforts and practices in healthcare, ultimately determining the quality and safety of care delivered in U.S. healthcare facilities.

¡MÁXIMO ERG members share their stories and experiences

ERGs Unplugged is our internal diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) podcast, where we take a deeper dive into the power of our Employee Resource Groups (ERGs). In our fifth episode, ¡MÁXIMO (our Hispanic/Latinx ERG) members Luz Castillo, Jesse Rodriguez, and Gisella Lamkin share their experiences and discuss how the group has influenced them both personally and professionally.

Luz Castillo

As a first-generation immigrant, joining our ¡MÁXIMO Employee Resource Group (ERG) has been vital for Luz.

Thanks to the group, she has been able to connect with colleagues who share her background and receive support that has helped her to navigate corporate America.

Jesse Rodriguez

The shift to remote work during the pandemic left Jesse and so many others feeling disconnected from their colleagues.

As both a member and co-chair of our ¡MÁXIMO Employee Resource Group (ERG), Jesse feels more connected than ever—meeting new colleagues from across the company and contributing his skill set to help others.

Gisella Lamkin

Even after 18 years as a Maximus employee, Gisella is still learning so much through her involvement in our ¡MÁXIMO Employee Resource Group (ERG).

Here, she discusses the impact the group has had not just in expanding her knowledge but providing her much a sense of belonging.

To learn more about our commitment to DE&I visit: Maximus.com/DEI

Originally published on Illumina News Center

The Next-Generation Sequencing Core in the Washington, DC, Public Health Laboratory (PHL) has a critical job: pathogen surveillance for the nation’s capital. A team of scientists is trying to understand the molecular underpinnings that drive foodborne illnesses, COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and other diseases threatening more than one million combined residents and commuters in the District of Columbia (which also welcomed a record 25.95 million tourists last year).

This year, the core has been working closely alongside multiple laboratories within the PHL to determine exactly what kinds of RSV they’re dealing with.

“We’re not sure of the type of RSV that is predominately circulating,” says Eric Vaughn, DrPH, who runs the NGS Core. “We’re trying to develop a surveillance system that can identify what strains are impacting our most vulnerable populations.”

RSV generally causes mild, cold-like symptoms; however, it can be particularly dangerous for newborns and seniors. The virus has two major strains—RSV-A and RSV-B—as well as several sub-lineages. Vaughn and his colleagues are working to understand what’s out in the community and whether it poses a significant danger.

What particular type of RSV is present in different demographics of the district? “If it’s B, for example, what type of B?” Vaughn asks. “What are the differences between pediatric and adult cases? If there’s a dangerous strain in a particular demographic, does it have a common source?”

Creating a surveillance system
The NGS Core spent last winter developing robust RSV sequencing protocols. All isolates were tested at the PHL for confirmation before being received in the sequencing laboratory for additional testing. During the upcoming respiratory illness season, they will receive more samples from a variety of population groups; this will help them paint a realistic and real-time picture about exactly how the different strains are affecting the district. This work will help them establish and fine-tune an RSV surveillance system, and enable the laboratory’s goal to collaborate with the DC Department of Health (a separate entity from the PHL) to get the word out to the community.

Although the team didn’t form any strong conclusions during this preliminary period, they analyzed enough samples to get the system going, and they’re starting to see a possible distinction between demographics and individuals with RSV-A and those with RSV-B.

“We wanted to establish the testing process, so we can be sure we’re accurately differentiating between A and B,” Vaughn says. “Once we go into the respiratory season this winter, we hope to get more samples in real time and, hopefully, start forming more solid conclusions.”

Essential IMAP
The Illumina Microbial Amplicon Prep (IMAP) kit has been an effective tool to simplify RSV sequencing for the NGS Core. The group didn’t have to spend time, or precious patient samples, vetting multiple kits. IMAP offered the products and services that the group needed.

While the project is in its early stages, the NGS Core is intrigued by how the results from the adult and the pediatric samples differ. “The majority of the samples fell into separate groups based on demographics,” says Vaughn. “It’s pretty eye-opening on what is occurring in the population and could guide DC Health in prevention and outreach services.”

Originally published in Mary Kay’s 2024 Sustainability Report

Mary Kay markets are making a lasting impact worldwide by providing lifesaving surgeries, helping end hunger, protecting survivors from domestic abuse, beautifying our communities, and encouraging children to follow their dreams.

CZECH REPUBLIC / SLOVAKIA

In the Czech Republic, Mary Kay partnered with Be Charity to support the rehabilitation of children whose families could not afford treatment. Mary Kay was nominated for the “Heart of the Poor Award” by the civic association Majak Nadeje in recognition of our philanthropic engagement.

SPAIN

Last year, Spain donated €40,000 to the FERO Foundation to support research identifying why some patients respond to treatments of metastatic breast cancers and tumors while others do not.

GERMANY / NETHERLANDS / SWEDEN

Mary Kay partnered with The Reiner Meutsch Foundation to help build 10 schools in Africa, in Burkina Faso, Togo, Chad, Ethiopia, Central African Republic, Kenya, Rwanda, Malawi, Namibia, and most recently in the Ivory Coast (2023) with the completion of an elementary school for approximately 120 students.

CHINA

Every child deserves a beautiful smile. As of today, Mary Kay China Charity Fund allocated 5.1 million RMB as part of the Smile 1000 campaign resulting in a total of 1,009 repair surgeries completed.

BRAZIL

Instituto Mary Kay was founded in 2014 with a mission to put an end to domestic violence and breast cancer. In 2023, Mary Kay Brazil and Instituto Mary Kay were awarded the Silver Award at the ABEVD Associacao Brasileira das Empresas de Venda Direta Annual Congress for the Red Awareness Campaign.

U.S.

In celebration of Mary Kay’s 60th anniversary, the Mary Kay Ash Foundation® announced a donation of $2.4 million in cancer research and domestic violence shelter grants around the country.

CANADA

Each year, the Mary Kay Ash Charitable Foundation provides a $10,000 grant to a domestic violence shelter in each of the 10 provinces in Canada. The foundation also supports the Look Good Feel Better program by offering beauty workshops to women going through cancer treatment.

Versión en español

The Climate Innovation Challenge (CIC) is an online competition open to the Central American region that awards grants to 10 organizations with innovative solutions to support MSMEs led by women and to expand their sustainable businesses with the incorporation of greenhouse gas mitigation projects and/or adaptation to climate change.

October 1, 2024 /3BL/ – A project funded by the U.S. Department of State, implemented by the World Environment Center (WEC) and its partners,Núcleo de Biotecnología de Curauma (NBC) de la Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso (PUCV),Baastel, Incubatec UFRO, ProMujer y La RED Innovación e Impacto, have launched a new initiative, the Climate Innovation Challenge (CIC).

The Climate Innovation Challenge will select 10 organizations to be awardedUS125,000 each and given membership to La Red de Innovación e Impacto (La RED). La RED is a Latin American membership organization that grants access to networking opportunities, continued training, and business updates among its members.

The mission of the Challenge is to empower women-led MSMEs from Central American countries to promote the sustainable growth of green economies, as well as to improve the capacity to face and adapt to climate change.

Beginning on October 1, 2024, applications for the Challenge will be accepted online at the following link: https://EICLaRED.org/CIC. Applications are due by November 15, 2024, 11:59pm EST. Applications are open to organizations that have projects or initiatives located in Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Costa Rica and/or Panama.

Eligible participants include non-profit organizations, non-governmental organizations, private institutions of higher education, associations or private unions that are supporting women-led MSMEs ventures through their projects, as well as for-profit entities. For-profit entities must include in their proposal that no profits will be generated through the grant.

The Climate Innovation Challenge will support green and sustainable projects aimed at improving economic development, GHG mitigation, and adaptation to climate change to address gender- specific barriers to sustainable growthin Central America.As the framework of CIC will focuson projects associated with climate change, special emphasis will be placed on monitoring greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions among the selected beneficiaries.

“Our comprehensive approach connects democracy, economic development, and sustainability and represents a path to greater economic opportunities, democratic governance, and security. Consequently, it seeks to address in an innovative way the root causes of inequality and create a platform to seek better opportunities and living conditions in the region,” concluded Samayoa.

 

For additional information, visit https://EICLaRED.org/CIC and www.laredinnovacionimpacto.com

For additional inquiries, please contact: Patricia Breuer Moreno, info@wec.org

About the World Environment Center

WEC is a neutral, independent, global non-profit organization that promotes sustainable development through the operations of its member companies and in partnership with governments, multilateral organizations, non-governmental organizations, universities, and other stakeholders. The mission of WEC is to promote business and its social value by fostering solutions to problems related to sustainable development. https://www.wec.org

About Núcleo de Biotecnología de Curauma (NBC)

NBC of the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso is an I+D+i (investigation, development, and innovation) center made up of academics and professionals of excellence with more than 10 years of experience in technological development, innovation, and technology transfer. NBC seeks to make companies more productive, sustainable, and competitive, envisioning itself in three years as a reference center to support MSMEs so that they can increase their competitiveness. NBC develops innovative trends to address new economic, social, and environmental challenges so that tomorrow we may live in a more sustainable world. http://nbcpucv.cl

About Le Groupe-conseil baastel ltée (Baastel)

Baastel is recognized for its quality services in monitoring and evaluation (M&E), results-based management (RBM), strategic planning, project and program management, and individual and institutional capacity building in these areas. The outstanding reputation of Baastel in the industry has been built on a history of national and international success and expertise backed by attention to detail, quality, transparency, and neutrality. https://baastel.com

AboutLa RED de Innovación e Impacto (La RED)

La RED is an initiative that brings together nonprofit and for-profit organizations to support MSMEs in orderto promote sustainable economic growth and prosperity in LAC. La RED was born in 2014 through a selection process of organizations that have been accelerating the development of sustainable business and promoting economic growth in Latin America and the Caribbean. The project was funded by the U.S. Department of State (DoS) and implemented by WEC and its partnersLe Groupe-conseil Baastelltée (Baastel) and RioSlum Studiountil June 2021. Asof July 2021, La RED is supportedthrough the leadership of its own member organizations and coordinated by NBC of the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso in Chile. www.laredinnovacionimpacto.com

English version click here

El Climate Innovation Challenge (CIC), es un concurso abierto para toda la región centroamericana que entrega fondos no reembolsables a 10 organizaciones con soluciones innovadoras de apoyo a MiPyMEs lideradas por mujeres y que se orienten a ampliar sus negocios sostenibles con la incorporación de proyectos de mitigación de gases de efecto invernadero y/o adaptación al cambio climático.

October 1, 2024 /3BL/ – Un proyecto del Departamento de Estado de Estados Unidos, implementado a través del World Environment Center (WEC) y sus socios – Núcleo de Biotecnología de Curauma (NBC) de la Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso (PUCV), Baastel, Incubatec UFRO, ProMujer y La RED Innovación e Impacto-, lanzó una nueva convocatoria: el Climate Innovation Challenge (CIC).

El Climate Innovation Challenge seleccionará a 10 organizaciones que serán premiadas con 125 mil dólares cada una, y la membresía para integrar La Red de Innovación e Impacto (LA RED), una plataforma latinoamericana que otorga acceso a oportunidades de networking, capacitación permanente y actualizaciones de negocios entre sus participantes.

La misión de este Challenge es empoderar a MiPyMEs lideradas por mujeres de la región de Centroamérica para fomentar el crecimiento sostenible de economías verdes, así como para mejorar su capacidad de enfrentarse y adaptarse al Cambio Climático. 
Iniciando el 1 de Octubre, las postulaciones al concurso deberán completarse de manera online, a través del siguiente link https://EICLaRED.org/CIC. El Challenge estará abierto hasta el 15 de noviembre de 2024 a las 23:59 hora EST. Está dirigido a organizaciones con proyectos o iniciativas ubicadas en Belice, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Costa Rica y Panamá.

Podrán participar organizaciones sin fines de lucro, Organizaciones No Gubernamentales, (ONG), instituciones privadas de educación superior, asociaciones o gremiales privadas que estén apoyando a través de sus proyectos emprendimientos de MiPYMEs lideradas por mujeres, así como entidades con ánimo de lucro. Las instituciones con fines de lucro deberán incluir en su propuesta que no se generará ningún beneficio a través de la subvención.

“Estos fondos ayudarán a hacerle frente a los impactos locales del cambio climático. Las organizaciones que elegidas para este premio contarán con estrategias de mitigación y adaptación a estos desafíos y que tengan la capacidad de desarrollar habilidades empresariales y financieras esenciales para mujeres emprendedoras”, señaló Ernesto Samayoa, Director de Operaciones de WEC.

El Climate Innovation Challenge, respaldará proyectos verdes y sostenibles orientados a mejorar el desarrollo económico, la mitigación de GEI y la adaptación al cambio climático, para abordar las barreras específicas de género para un crecimiento sostenible en Centroamérica. Dado que el marco del CIC se centrará en proyectos asociados con el cambio climático, se pondrá especial énfasis en el seguimiento de las emisiones de gases de efecto invernadero (GEI) entre los beneficiarios seleccionados.

“Nuestro enfoque integral, conecta democracia, desarrollo económico y sostenibilidad y representa un camino hacia mayores oportunidades económicas, gobernanza democrática y seguridad. En consecuencia, se busca abordar de una forma innovadora las causas profundas de la desigualdad y crear una plataforma para buscar mejores oportunidades y condiciones de vida en la región”, concluyó el Director de Operaciones de WEC.

Para información adicional puede ingresar a https://EICLaRED.org/CIC

• Consultas adicionales contactar: Patricia Breuer Moreno, info@wec.org

Sobre el World Environment Center 
WEC es una organización sin fines de lucro neutral, independiente, global, que fomenta el desarrollo sostenible a través de las operaciones de sus empresas miembros y en alianza con gobiernos, organizaciones multilaterales, organizaciones no gubernamentales, universidades y otras partes interesadas. La misión de WEC es promover los negocios y su valor social fomentando soluciones a problemas relacionados con el desarrollo sostenible. https://www.wec.org 

Sobre el Núcleo de Biotecnología de Curauma (NBC) 
NBC de la Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, es un Centro de I+D+i integrado por académicos y profesionales de excelencia, con más de 10 años de experiencia en desarrollo tecnológico, innovación y transferencia tecnológica en el área de ciencia y tecnología. El NBC busca hacer que las empresas sean más productivas, sostenibles y competitivas, visualizándose en tres años como un centro de referencia para apoyar a las pymes para que puedan aumentar su competitividad. NBC desarrolla tendencias innovadoras para afrontar los nuevos retos económicos, sociales y medioambientales para que mañana vivamos en un mundo más sostenible. http://nbcpucv.cl

Sobre Le Groupe-conseil baastel ltée (Baastel) 
Baastel está reconocido por sus servicios de calidad en Monitoreo y Evaluación (M&E), Gestión Basada en Resultados (GBR), planificación estratégica, gestión de proyectos y programas y construcción de capacidad individual e institucional en estas áreas. La reputación sobresaliente de Baastel en la industria se ha estado construyendo sobre un historial de éxitos nacionales e internacionales y experiencia respaldada por la atención al detalle, calidad, transparencia y neutralidad. 
https://baastel.com

Sobre La Red de Innovación e Impacto (La RED) 
La RED es una iniciativa que reúne a organizaciones con y sin fines de lucro para apoyar a MIPYMES con el fin de promover el crecimiento económico sostenible y la prosperidad en ALC. La RED nació en 2014 a través de un proceso de selección de organizaciones que han estado acelerando el desarrollo de negocios sostenibles y promoviendo el crecimiento económico en América Latina y el Caribe. El proyecto fue financiado por el Departamento de Estado de Estados Unidos (DoS) e implementado por WEC y sus socios Le Groupe-conseil Baastel ltée (Baastel) y RioSlum Studio hasta junio de 2021. A partir de julio de 2021, La RED es sostenida a través del liderazgo de sus propias organizaciones miembros y coordinada por el NBC de la Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso en Chile. 
https://laredinnovacionimpacto.com/