Meet the Social Enterprises verified by People and Planet First in Argentina

From November 18th to 22nd, People and Planet First Week was celebrated, a global week that seeks to highlight initiatives and companies that put the planet and people first. This organization seeks to create a global badge that quickly identifies organizations that adhere to these principles.

Social Enterprises are organizations created to solve or mitigate social and/or environmental problems, and they do so through a business model. There is no legal framework around the world that easily categorizes these organizations, and thousands of companies operate under these principles and are unaware of the existence of a concept that can unite and identify them.

To respond to this global challenge, the Social Enterprise World Forum, a leading international organization promoting social enterprises around the world, created People and Planet First, a global badge that easily identifies all companies that comply with five key principles:

1. Purpose: It exists to solve a social and/or environmental problem

2. Operations: Prioritize purpose, people, and planet over profits in operational decisions

3. Income: It has a self-sustaining income model.

4. Use of surplus: Reinvest most of the surplus for its purpose.

5. Structure: Choose legal structures and financing that protect and ensure the long-term purpose.

Those who comply with these standards, whether they are companies incorporated under legal entities for profit, non-profit organizations with business models, regenerative businesses, or cooperatives, can obtain the seal of verification.

This verification is growing in Latin America, and in Argentina there are already three cases that are part of the community:

1. Procuyo: Driving Progress in San Juan

Pro Cuyo, una empresa social de San Juan.

Procuyo was founded 30 years ago in the province of San Juan, and in recent years has established itself as a Social Enterprise. From its very beginning, people have always been the most important thing. A family business that has always seen its employees as part of the family, and that has grown with a focus on contributing to improving the quality of life of its clients. It develops an innovative and accessible microfinance model, focused on empowering families and entrepreneurs. They offer comprehensive services in financing, healthcare, and insurance, designed to reduce access gaps and contribute to people's well-being. Eduardo Bazán, general manager of Pro Cuyo, recently spoke at a panel on Collective Action for Sustainable Change during a global event held on International Social Enterprise Day (November 21), where he shared how they have been building a people-centered company, where partnerships and collaboration have been key to its growth.

2. Ruca: gifts that generate opportunities

Ruca's purpose is to promote socioeconomic inclusion and the integration of vulnerable populations in order to improve their quality of life and protect the environment. Through the sale of corporate gifts, event hosting, and event planning, they seek to foster the development of a social and solidarity economy, creating decent and sustainable jobs primarily for women in vulnerable situations. They provide training, support, and a community-based approach that fosters belonging, autonomy, and self-confidence so that more women can achieve their goals.

3. Brands that Make a Difference: Changing Narratives and Making Impact Visible

Marcas que Marcan, una de las tres empresas sociales verificadas de la Argentina.

This branding agency seeks to mobilize the Social Potential® of people and organizations. It began by providing training and workshops in vulnerable contexts to empower small entrepreneurs, working with NGOs and local governments, and has since consolidated and specialized in creating brands for organizations that put people and the planet first. It provides consulting in branding, marketing, and conscious communication, workshops, and mentoring for individuals, social and impact enterprises, civil society organizations, multilateral organizations, and companies focused on social innovation. It seeks to change narratives and transform perspectives on social and/or environmental issues.

EKHOS is People and Planet First's partner for Latin America. If you'd like to get started with this verification, you can do so at https://bit.ly/peopleandplanetfirst or contact jessica@ekhos.org for advice.

NOTE https://www.eleco.com.ar/power/conoce-a-las-empresas-sociales-verificados-por-people-and-planet-first-en-la-argentina