For more than two years, Repsol has been leading Impulsared, a program that promotes business self-management, strengthening capabilities and generating sustainable development from the communities. With an initial investment of S/15 million, the program has allowed the creation of 52 companies in different sectors in Ventanilla, Ancón, Santa Rosa, Aucallama and Chancay, benefiting more than 10,000 people. Tine van den Wall Bake Rodríguez, Senior Manager of Sustainability and Social Management at Repsol, expands on the purpose of the initiative.
70% of Impulsared beneficiaries are women. What work do you do with them?
From the beginning we understood that the empowerment of women is key to the development of communities. For this reason, more than 70% of Impulsared beneficiaries are women, community leaders, mothers and heads of household. To ensure their participation, the program incorporates concrete measures: bringing the training places closer to their locations, transportation to and from the training and care spaces for their children. These actions make it possible to reduce structural barriers and generate real conditions for women to develop their technical, business and leadership skills, without having to choose between their training and their family responsibilities.
How is the formalization of women’s businesses transforming their communities?
When a woman formalizes her venture, the impact goes far beyond her business. It translates into autonomy, greater security for your family and an active role within your community. They are women who make decisions, who generate their own income and who become references for others. This leadership is reflected in the soup kitchens and communal soup kitchens of Ventanilla and Ancón, where the leaders improve the nutrition of hundreds of families through optimal cooking, which uses 100% of the food. Thanks to the processes promoted by Impulsared in alliance with Ccori Cocina Óptima, they share knowledge in nutrition, efficient use of food, storage and management, strengthening local networks and opening new economic opportunities.
The circular economy is part of Impulsared.
It is very important for Repsol. We wanted to find what to do with the used uniforms and the idea arose to give them new life. Textile businesses that were born in Impulsared such as Intyara, Kallpa Clothing and Confecciones C&S use used uniforms from Repsol’s mining operations, its service stations and the La Pampilla Refinery to turn them into bags, laptop holders, toiletry bags, pencil cases, aprons, glasses holders, backpacks. All merchandising products demanded by both internal and external customers. Another example is Profam Recicla, a Santa Rosa enterprise that promotes recycling, the responsible segregation of waste, generating income and environmental awareness that results in a cleaner and more orderly municipality. In addition to environmental responsibility, sustainability is an opportunity to innovate, generate employment and boost the economy from the territory.
They have also created the Impulsared Eco Challenge, which companies have managed to convert waste into input?
Through the Impulsared Eco Challenge, developed together with UTEC and UTEC Ventures, innovative proposals led by university students who proposed solutions to pollution in the Chillón River and Cavero Beach were recognized. Among the winners is Biotecnebryo Industries, which collects tecnopor and processes it using larvae to transform it into organic fertilizers with high nutritional value, integrating science, sustainability and entrepreneurship. Plaka, for its part, turns lids and hard plastics into corporate products such as coasters and cell phone holders, promoting the circular economy.
Impulsared provides non-refundable financing to ventures. What is the challenge for them to stay afloat?
Non-refundable financing, or seed capital, is only part of the model. Our main objective is to strengthen solid and sustainable business management that allows entrepreneurs to generate stable income, support their families and create employment in their communities. Support during the 12 months after the start of operations, business training and assistance for formalization is key for businesses to develop planning, financial management and access to new markets capabilities. We want them not to depend on the program, but rather to be prepared to grow autonomously. Companies that began serving orders linked to our company now offer products and services to new clients and sectors.
Have other companies been interested in joining the program?
We have seen a growing interest from companies and organizations seeking to generate social impact in their areas of influence, with measurable and sustainable results. Impulsared is a platform open to alliances and demonstrates that the coordination between the private sector, the State and the community generates shared value. Without a doubt, the model has the potential for replication and results that demonstrate it. As a country, we need to continue working to strengthen capabilities and create formal jobs.
