Agora Partnerships is an institution whose main objective is to drive equitable growth in Latin America by increasing the productivity and sustainability of small and growing businesses.

With the signing of this agreement, Davivienda invites SMEs led by women to be part of the "Juntas contamos" program developed by Agora Partnerships, with which it is estimated that 4 thousand women with businesses in Mexico, Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala will grow in a sustainable way, continue to positively impact their environment, share and solve the most important challenges of their business, with their team and with major players in the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

"In Davivienda we are committed to supporting the growth of our SMEs, therefore, in addition to financial solutions to enhance their businesses, we seek alternatives that can facilitate training and development to fulfill their dream of taking their business to the next level", said Erick Morán, manager of Banca Pyme de Davivienda El Salvador.

The "Juntas contamos" program is an initiative with which the bank promotes gender equality and the reduction of inequalities, which are part of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by the United Nations and with which Davivienda has integrated its contribution in the different projects and initiatives to make the world our home, a more prosperous, inclusive and green home.

This program consists of three levels in which businesswomen, according to the development of their company, can obtain training: The first "Learn, connect and build your vision", offers a duration of 3 months and the requirement to apply: bill a minimum of USD 20 thousand dollars annually; the second "Grow, optimize and involve your team", offers a duration of 6 months and the requirement to apply: bill a minimum of USD 65 thousand dollars monthly and the third "Expand, update yourself and create new opportunities", offers a duration of 6 months and requirement to apply is to bill a minimum of USD 250 thousand dollars annually.

"Davivienda's strategy transcends and goes beyond being a commercial ally, we seek to be a true ally for companies in this segment; therefore, in this opportunity we seek alternatives to create a differentiated value offer for women leaders of SMEs, with the purpose that they can be trained and achieve links with different stakeholders", said Gabriela Quirós, Regional Head of Sustainability of Davivienda.

In order for women entrepreneurs in the SME sector to be part of this program, Davivienda will disseminate the call for the initiative through its communication channels in El Salvador, and they can also register at: www.davivienda.com.sv Business Banking section and then in Mi Empresa Mujer, and then the candidates for the different programs will be selected from the customer base.

Among the requirements to apply must be a leader/founder of a company operating in El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras or Mexico, with minimum monthly sales of US$1,700, ready to make changes in their company during the program, and willing to create connections and share learning.

"Through the Juntas Contamos program, we materialize our commitment to the development of the region's entrepreneurial ecosystems, especially for women committed to the economic transformation of the four countries where this program has an impact. It is extremely gratifying to coincide with key actors with whom we share the same development objective, such as Davivienda El Salvador", said Jessica Lemus, business development consultant at Agora Partnerships.

Davivienda accompanies SMEs with multiple e-commerce tools, online sales, payment solutions in digital channels, financing with a variety of guarantee programs to facilitate their access, insurance: both life and protection of business assets through the subsidiary Davivienda Seguros; and operations to facilitate foreign trade; among others. In addition to all the financial alternatives it offers, it also seeks to make a difference by providing tools for their growth.

Translated by: A.M