India and Latin America: A strategic bridge to solve social and environmental challenges
- Jessica Oyarbide
- Sep 12, 2024
- 3 min read
When people in Argentina think of India, they generally associate images of the country with small, dirty streets crowded with low-income people. But that's just one facet of India. This vast and diverse country also boasts innovative solutions, cutting-edge technology, a rising middle class, and strategies that lift millions out of poverty each year.
Although they may seem like distant regions, India and Latin America have much in common. They are two emerging regions with growing economies, facing similar social and environmental challenges: poverty, inequality, high levels of informality, problems exacerbated by climate change, and the need for more sustainable development. These challenges offer endless opportunities. In the last five years, Latin American exports to India have grown by 20%, highlighting the potential for an increasingly strong trade relationship between the two regions. Both impact ecosystems are experiencing sustained growth, creating key spaces for collaboration.
Expanding Impact Ecosystems
Social and impact enterprises, which seek sustainable and equitable solutions to critical problems, are positioning themselves as key agents of change in both regions. According to the British Council and the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship, both India and Latin America have vibrant impact ecosystems that are growing stronger year after year. In Latin America, it is estimated that more than 20,000 Social and Impact Enterprises are operating, while in India, around 2 million of these organizations are already changing the lives of millions of people.
Sectors such as climate tech, healthcare, financial inclusion, and agriculture are at the forefront of impact in both territories. The focus on green technologies, efficient agricultural production, and digital financial inclusion are key areas where social enterprises are finding fertile ground for innovation and generating large-scale solutions.
India, with a population of 1.441 billion, and Latin America, with 665 million, share a high rate of informal employment and a significant percentage of the population living in poverty, highlighting the urgent need for solutions that combine social impact with economic growth.
Links to scale solutions
The relationship between these two regions is not new, but it is beginning to gain new momentum thanks to networks and platforms that facilitate collaboration and knowledge exchange. EKHOS has been actively working for seven years to build bridges between India and Latin America, connecting entrepreneurs, companies, investors, academia, and organizations seeking to generate positive impact. Through events such as the Global Impact Businesses and Ecosystem Forum (GIBEF), which will take place in New Delhi in February 2025, we are promoting a space where impact ecosystems from both regions can meet, learn, and scale their solutions. Collaboration is not only about sharing knowledge, but also about building sustainable businesses that benefit vulnerable communities while protecting the planet.
In both India and Latin America, impact companies are taking a leading role in the transition toward sustainable business models. Traditional companies are also beginning to see the value of integrating social and environmental impact into their strategies. This has generated a wave of investment in impact projects, with assets under management (AUM) of USD 16 billion in Latin America and USD 14 billion in India.
India and Latin America are joining forces to address some of the world's most pressing issues. As these regions consolidate their impact ecosystems, opportunities for collaboration, innovation, and growth multiply. By building bridges between the two markets, the foundation is being laid for a more equitable and sustainable future.
What is GIBEF and how can you participate?
The GIBEF (Global Businesses and Ecosystem Forum) is a meeting place for all stakeholders in the impact ecosystem from India, Latin America, and the United Kingdom. This forum seeks to catalyze the creation of impactful markets and business opportunities, foster the exchange of social and environmental innovations, promote knowledge generation, and mobilize investment and financing across regions.
The event will take place in New Delhi, India, from February 18 to 21, 2025, and is expected to welcome individuals, businesses, private organizations, and government agencies from 12 countries. No prior experience in the subject is required to participate.
To participate, please visit https://gibef.com/ and explore the different packages and participation options. You can attend only the forum or participate in the full Impact Route. Download the program at https://ekhos.org/india
For more information, please contact gibef@ekhos.org .
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