A woman looks at the HOPE app on her phone Global Money Week in Ecuador A group of YoDecido app users A participant using the Enko app

World Council's Economic Inclusion Project (EIP) in 2022 delivered a host of digital solutions for Venezuelan migrants and vulnerable location populations in Peru and Ecuador seeking formal financial services, job training and entrepreneurship skills. 

The effort started during Global Money Week 2022 in March. Under the motto "Build your future, be smart with your money,” EIP provided financial education to more than 5,000 people in Peru and Ecuador. The objective of Global Money Week is to make more people aware of the importance of savings and entrepreneurship by providing spaces where public and private entities can actively promote financial education.

In Peru, EIP staffers participated in a virtual savings fair organized by the Superintendence of Banking, Insurance and AFPs (SBS). An EIP virtual booth provided information and links on financial education and savings programs. In addition, EIP provided two webinars focused on economic autonomy as a determining factor to prevent gender-based violence, as well as a virtual training on savings-focused financial education. In Ecuador, EIP employees held virtual and face-to-face workshops in which savings were promoted to university students and entrepreneurs through games and experimental activities.

The goal was for participants to establish healthy financial habits and improve their financial well-being.

Yo Decido and HOPE

In May, EIP unveiled two distinct virtual platforms for mobile devices created to benefit Venezuelan migrants and low-income locals.

The Economic Inclusion Project launched Herramienta Operativa de Planificación Empresarial (HOPE) as an operational tool that allows entrepreneurs to develop their business plans in a quick, dynamic and technical way that gives concrete shape to the education they have received in EIP training programs. The platform is also aligned to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, allowing entrepreneurs to strengthen high impact strategies to achieve socially responsible and inclusive businesses.

The other platform, “Yo Decido: Mi Futuro y Mis Finanzas” (I decide: My future and my finances), was built based on the financial education methodology developed by WOCCU, which promotes reflexive learning. It is the first financial education program designed with a gender perspective, which empowers all people to make informed financial decisions and achieve financial independence.

The launch of Enko

With the goal of boosting businesses owned by Venezuelan and local entrepreneurs participating in the Economic Inclusion Project (EIP), World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU) and USAID partnered with Visa to create "Enko"—a free, virtual business training platform accessible from any mobile device.

Through short videos, illustrations and interactive activities that take just 15 minutes per lesson, Enko offers training on business administration, personal growth, finances, marketing and sales. 

WOCCU EIP, USAID and Visa hosted an August 23 launch event to introduce Enko's platform and functions to entrepreneurs and different types of institutions in Ecuador. Enko was rolled out in Peru three months later. 

Working together, USAID and WOCCU have facilitated the growth and sustainability of the more than 8,000 Venezuelan and low-income locals in Peru and Ecuador who have developed their businesses through the Economic Inclusion Project through September 2022. EIP has also helped more than 71,000 Venezuelans and low-income local residents get access to savings, credit services and loans through 14 partner financial institutions.