INDIGENOUS ENTREPRENEURS NETWORK

Grassroots entrepreneur movement with a communal
and indigenous identity.

INDIGENOUS ENTREPRENEURS NETWORK

We are part of the efforts to attract investment and generate opportunities to satisfy basic development needs among families and communities, in the realization of the common good.

We arise in response to the problems of poverty, conflict, violence and forced migration, which are experienced mainly in rural and indigenous communities.

Here you can learn about our variety of products involving ancestral techniques and knowledge, the art and work of the Mayan women and men producers that are part of the Global Network of
Indigenous Entrepreneurs: Guatemala Chapter.



MAYA SCHOOL OF BUSINESS

Business Training and Development is one of REI’s strategic initiatives developed in our Mayan Business School, aiming at the empowerment and capacities of community entrepreneurs and indigenous businessmen through education processes, technical accompaniment and advice in business promotion.



MAYA BUSINESS CENTER AND MARKETER

REI facilitates its organized members in local networks and/or community clusters, commercial mediation, access to infrastructure, to markets and to capital through two central mechanisms:

The Maya Business Center which generates a meeting space between bidders, buyers and investors to develop business roundtables, fairs and other commercial dynamics, allows the exchange of experiences, being a workspace and support for entrepreneurship, the sale of products, as well as a tourism of experiences.

A Marketer specialized in indigenous businesses that manages access to services and products in national and international markets.



SUITABLE ECOSYSTEM

REI works creating a favorable environment for entrepreneurship and business development, carrying them out by promoting the formulation, approval and implementation of projects, plans, programs, policies and strategies at the municipal and international levels through the generation of strategic alliances with different public and private actors, local and national government.

WHO ARE WE TARGETING?

The Global Network of Indigenous Entrepreneurs (REI) is a grassroots business movement with a communal and indigenous identity. It is the Guatemalan chapter of the Global Network of Indigenous Businesses and Entrepreneurs created in 2014, currently in charge of the presidency. It participates yearly in the Indigenous Business Global Forum organized and funded by the
Indigenous Leadership Development Institute of Canada (ILDI).

INDIGENOUS WOMEN AND YOUTH ENTREPRENEURS

Indigenous women and youth leaders of indigenous entrepreneurships and companies are our focus group, to enhance empowerment and entrepreneurial skills.

We work in alliance with different sectors and actors which are established through community relationships or collaboration agreements.

INDIGENOUS AUTHORITIES AND COMMUNITIES

We recognize and respect different structures of local authorities, which is why our actions seek rapprochement and support from community authorities, whether they are typical of indigenous peoples or structures such as the auxiliary mayors or, the development councils system, as well as local governments such as municipalities, to ensure that local development initiatives and ventures from indigenous communities receive support and backup.

We support business initiatives at the national level and mainly from the departments of:

Guatemala: Communities with indigenous populations
Sacatepéquez
Chimaltenango
Sololá
Quiche
Totonicapán
Quetzaltenango
Huehuetenango

We are part of the Global Network of Indigenous Businesses

ACADEMY

We seek approaches with universities and academia to technically support entrepreneurship, innovation and capacity building.

STATE AGENCIES

REI has signed cooperation agreements with state agencies, mainly with the Ministry of the Economy and the Ministry of Labor, and those directly linked to productive and economic development activities.

INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION

We manage international cooperation funds that favor strengthening entrepreneurial capacities of indigenous entrepreneurs, women and men, as well as provide support to solve the needs to improve their productivity and quality in products and services.

PRIVATE SECTOR

REI has established cooperation agreements and programs to support entrepreneurship and the activation and revitalization of the local economy, seeking business competitiveness and internationalization of products and services.

ARTISANS

We are women and men aware of the construction of sustainable and
inclusive communities, that is why we innovate and prepare to comply with good practices, providing jobs and fair wages.