The “Sustainability Challenges” program extends the application deadline

In light of the recent loosening of health restrictions in several Antofagasta and Tarapacá municipalities, the “Sustainability Challenges” program extended its application deadline until Friday, August 13, intending to offer face-to-face talks and reach more territories.

Organized by El Puerto Cowork and the La Semilla Foundation, in partnership with Hub Tarapacá, the bi-regional program is the first of its kind in northern Chile. It aims to promote the best ideas or business projects with strong social and environmental components.

Office Manager at El Puerto Cowork, Patricio Fernández noted, “Because of the pandemic, we have not been able to reach some communities. Many people are interested but need more time to develop their projects, so we decided to extend the deadline three weeks.”

Entrepreneurs and companies from the Antofagasta and Tarapacá region may apply if they have sustainable business ideas in one of four challenge areas: “Supporting business in local communities,” “Preserving the environment,” “Circular economy – new lives” and “Urban and rural” on the website: www.desafiosdesostenibilidad.cl

Participants who pass the first round will have access to business training. Then, 40 projects will be selected to attend a BootCamp workday and receive Ch$200,000 to develop their prototype.

The program will end with a Pitch Day. The top five projects will be awarded Ch$500,000, Ch$1 million, Ch$2 million, Ch$3.5 million and Ch$5 million, respectively.

Pablo Pisani, Director of Communications, Sustainability and Public Affairs at SQM, commented: “We are very committed to this program, the first of its kind in northern Chile. It is aligned with our corporate Sustainability Plan, which includes environmental targets and commitments and focuses on creating shared social value in the communities surrounding our operations.

Information Sessions

Three Sustainability Challenges information sessions will be offered in the Antofagasta Region. The first will be on Monday, July 26 at 17:30 at the Quillagua neighborhood council building. The other will be held on Wednesday, July 28 at 16:00 at El Puerto Cowork in Tocopilla, located at 21 de mayo 1318. Sign up using this form: https://forms.gle/i39S9hsov6y6wEDH9

In Antofagasta, the information session is scheduled for Thursday, July 29 at 18:00 at Territorio Abierto Cowork, located at Avenida Angamos 1167.

In Tarapaca, the talk will take place on Thursday, July 29 at 10:00 at Maipú 41, formerly Escuela Jacarandá in Pica. Others will be offered in Huara and Pozo Almonte on dates to be confirmed in the coming days via @ElPuertoCowork @ColoresNorte @HubTarapacá and @FundLaSemilla Facebook and Instagram accounts.

Sustainability Challenges receives collaboration from the Antofagasta Regional Government’s Promotion of Production and Industry Division, the Taltal Station, the Antofagasta Campus of Inacap, Sercotec Antofagasta and Tarapacá, the Antofagasta regional official from the Energy Ministry, the Tarapacá regional official from the Environment Ministry and Territorio Abierto.