Chance for change

Take for example Felicia and Pedro. They run a smallholding, which is a two-hour walk away from the nearest town. Until 2018, it was hard work for the couple to access water supplies. Then they installed rainwater-harvesting tanks at their home.

In 2022, they also installed a solar panel. They now have access to both clean energy and clean water.

Angélica is a nurse who lives in the neighbouring village of Collpa. She runs a health post providing primary care to local villagers. Until recently, she had to manage without electricity, using candles and travelling to the nearest town to charge her phone and computer.

That changed in 2022 when a solar panel was installed next to the health post, providing electricity and more reliable connectivity. She can now better serve her community.

In the meantime, children in the remote village of Ukhira also suffered from water scarcity and no access to electricity. Marta, their teacher, struggled to provide them with better conditions. Fortunately, things are changing for the better.

Since 2018, rainwater harvesting systems and solar panels were installed in Ukhira. Marta and the children can now get fresh water from the tap and use clean electricity at school or at home.

Estela has been picking through rubbish at night since she was 18 to support her family. She now works under decent conditions in recycling at the sorting centre that was built.

Rosa also got the chance to turn her life around. After 30 years recycling rubbish at one of the dumps in Jujuy, she seized the opportunity to take part in a workshop for aspiring entrepreneurs. Rosa is now a confident businesswoman, creating clothes from recycled textiles.

Like Rosa’s story, Claudia took a new direction in her life. After years exposing herself to health hazards at the dump, she attended the same workshop. Claudia now has her own business baking and selling cakes. This is her story of how she turned the page after 20 years to provide a stable income and roof for her family.

Héctor, a dedicated farmer in Dajabon, raises cattle for milk and meat production. For years, he struggled with recurring droughts that would stretch on for most of the year. To combat this pressing issue, he had relied on gasoline-fueled water pumps that draw water from a nearby lake into a reservoir to irrigate his farm, making it expensive and polluting to operate

In 2021, Héctor discovered a more sustainable solution. He installed a solar-powered water pump, thanks to financing secured through the Banfondesa Renovable green credit line. Now, as soon as the sun rises, the pump is powered and supplies his farm with water. This transformative solution eases Hector's daily life, while significantly increasing his agricultural yields.

Julie Belliard is a passionate architect and small business owner in Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic. She crafts personalised gift boxes filled with handmade products that she sells online.

Amidst the challenges posed by the pandemic, Julie recognised the immense value of her e-commerce expertise, especially for local artisans facing difficulties in selling their handicrafts. Driven by her commitment to empower artisans and creators, Julie launched Yo Soy Local, a digital marketplace that helps them sell their products effortlessly online.

Julie's inspiring vision received a crucial boost when she participated in MicroPitch, a dynamic pitching forum where aspiring entrepreneurs pitch their business plans to potential sponsors, including local microfinance institutions. Her exceptional idea earned her the prestigious award of 'Best Entrepreneur,' a pivotal moment that laid the foundation for her remarkable venture.

MicroPitch is the fruit of the Caribbean Technical Assistance program, financed by the EIB and executed by the Frankfurt School of Finance & Management. This initiative attracted applications from 600 entrepreneurs across 15 Caribbean countries, ultimately selecting 72 visionaries to present their ideas to a network of 25 prospective sponsors.

In 2019, Mai – who was nine-months pregnant at the time – did not feel comfortable taking the dangerous road that connected her small village to the nearby hospital.

This changed a year later when the road was finally paved. Today, Mai can securely take her daughter to school, and the villagers have easier access to other services.