Colombian Delegation Visits València to Plan the Impulsa Project and Strengthen the Youth Entrepreneurship Ecosystem in Cartagena

During their visit to València, the Colombian delegation consolidates strategies to strengthen the IMPULSA project, aimed at promoting social entrepreneurship and decent employment.

Strategic collaborations between Valencian and Colombian institutions shape the agenda, focused on empowering 280 vulnerable youth.

Visit of the Colombian delegation to the CEEI to explore best practices in sustainable entrepreneurship projects.

The recent visit of a Colombian delegation to València represents a significant step in the collaboration to foster social entrepreneurship among youth in vulnerable situations. The delegation’s main objective was to strengthen the IMPULSA project, developed in Colombia thanks to Valencian international cooperation.

Through international cooperation, key activities were conducted during the visit, emphasizing the importance of mutual learning and collaboration in social entrepreneurship. Technical and strategic meetings, along with engagements with relevant Valencian institutions, enabled teams to plan future actions and share successful methodologies, enriching the vision and approach of the projects.

Meetings with Key Institutions for Social Entrepreneurship

The delegation had the opportunity to meet with various leading institutions and organizations in the field of entrepreneurship and social innovation in València, facilitating the exchange of best practices and broadening their understanding of entrepreneurial ecosystems.

At the Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV), they explored the university’s entrepreneurial ecosystem through the IDEAS UPV program, which highlighted the role of mentorship and the importance of addressing entrepreneurs’ basic needs to ensure project success. Meanwhile, Social Nest Foundation presented its programs supporting startups in South America and its RISE FOR IMPACT initiative, focused on social impact startups.

The Colombian delegation learns about the IDEAS UPV program, exploring mentorship initiatives and university entrepreneurial ecosystems.

Visits to Las Naves and WayCo allowed the delegation to explore collaborative spaces fostering creativity and networking among entrepreneurs, particularly in technology and creative sectors. Lastly, at the European Center for Business and Innovation (CEEI), discussions focused on the importance of continuous training and managing failure as critical elements for sustainable project growth. These experiences have been instrumental in guiding the development of the IMPULSA project and shaping future impact proposals.

Tour of Las Naves, an innovation hub fostering creativity and collaboration in technological and cultural sectors.

Ongoing Initiatives and Lessons for the Future

The visit yielded highly positive outcomes by consolidating cooperation between Spain and Colombia, opening new opportunities to strengthen the IMPULSA project. The delegation highlighted the valuable lessons learned in València and their potential application in Colombia.

As part of the next steps, key activities have been planned, such as hosting two annual forums that will include an Entrepreneurship Fair. These events will feature panels and representatives from various sectors to showcase successful cases of young entrepreneurs in the region. Additionally, efforts will focus on establishing strategic alliances to ensure the initiative’s sustainability.

Currently, 280 young entrepreneurs are being selected to participate in the scheduled training activities. These training sessions aim to equip participants with practical tools and knowledge to launch ventures and create social impact in their communities. Furthermore, efforts will be directed towards strengthening the Red Impulsa, a key platform connecting actors in Colombia’s entrepreneurship ecosystem.

This experience reinforces the commitment of organizations to empower youth, promoting decent, sustainable employment and social entrepreneurship as tools to transform realities and build more inclusive and resilient communities. This alliance between Colombia and València is a testament to how international cooperation and social entrepreneurship can drive change, creating opportunities where there were once barriers.

The IMPULSA project is carried out thanks to the collaboration of Jovesólides España, Jovesólides Colombia, and Conviventia, funded by the Vice-Presidency and Department of Social Services, Equality, and Housing of the Generalitat Valenciana and the Directorate-General for Inclusion and Development Cooperation.To stay updated on this initiative, follow us on social media using the hashtag #RedImpulsa.