The International Finance Corporation (IFC), an organization of the World Bank Group dedicated to the private sector development in emerging markets, will launch a program “Sourcing2Equal Colombia” aimed at promoting business between small and medium enterprises (SMEs) owned by women and large companies of Colombia. The objective is to reduce gender gaps in the supply chains of large companies, through the access of women-led SMEs to new opportunities in corporate purchases.

The program will last two and a half years, allowing participating companies to learn and implement new approaches and best practices to promote the participation of women entrepreneurs in their corporate purchases. It will also identify and build capabilities of potential suppliers in order to help them overcome the barriers they face in meeting the requirements of corporate buyers. In addition, it will promote new business opportunities and commercial links that seek to generate a positive impact on the local market and on gender equality.

This project will be carried out in alliance with the Women Entrepreneurs Finance Initiative (We-Fi) and the Norwegian Government. The leading companies that are committed with program include: Alpina, Bacao, Bancamia, Bancolombia, Diageo, Coca-Cola FEMSA, Grupo Argos, Grupo Éxito, Empacor, Juan Valdez, Libero Cobre, Pavimentos Colombia, Postobón, Sunshine Bouquet and Unilever.