ARGENTINA

We are delighted to welcome Martina Grossi, our newest Gold Member at ES VICIS Foundation! Martina’s story is a testament to the passion, resilience, and sense of community that define the Argentine spirit. Her journey to supporting ES VICIS began in a moment filled with national pride: the World Cup.  When Passion Meets Purpose  During the excitement of the World Cup—a time when emotions and a sense of unity run high in Argentina—Martina felt a powerful urge to contribute to her community. As the match progressed and the tension mounted, Martina remembered her mother’s example: “In the face of challenges, especially health issues, my mom would turn to her faith, asking for help with the promise of giving back to the community. That’s how I grew up, learning the value of donating and helping those in need.” “I didn’t know which organization I wanted to support,” Martina shared. “But I knew I wanted to back a cause that was making a real difference in Argentina.” Amidst the collective emotion, Argentinians made all kinds of promises if the team won the World Cup: from getting a tattoo of Messi’s name to pilgrimaging to Luján, quitting bad habits, or even naming their future children “Emiliano” or “Lionel.” This decision, made in a moment of national celebration, reflects the deep-rooted value Argentinians place on belonging and mutual support. For Martina, the World Cup wasn’t just about football; it was a reminder of what can be achieved when people come together with a shared purpose.  Why ES VICIS?  After nearly a decade abroad, Martina returned to Argentina, convinced of the country’s potential and determined to invest in its future. With a new vision and renewed confidence in the land of her birth, she embarked on her own path, reaffirming her commitment to Argentina’s development and transformation. “For me, it is an honor to contribute to the cause promoted by ES VICIS. By considering Argentina as ‘my village,’ I feel I live the spirit of the ‘Bienvenidos a mi Pueblo’ program. This initiative aims to strengthen local communities, seeing repopulation as an act of reconnection and support for the development of our land. I believe the talented and dedicated team behind the foundation is doing extraordinary work, changing the narratives that no longer serve us, restoring empowerment to the villages, and ultimately to our country,” she shared. Martina discovered the ES VICIS Foundation and found a mission that resonated deeply with her values. “For me, being a member and giving back means supporting causes I believe in—ones that I wouldn’t be able to directly aid otherwise. It’s about acknowledging those actively making a difference and expanding the reach of exceptional projects, which really gives me hope,” she explained. Her story highlights the mission of ES VICIS: creating opportunities in rural communities and fostering connections that inspire collective progress. Join the Movement  Martina’s journey is a call to action for all of us. Every action has the power to transform. Her story reminds us that impactful change often begins with a simple decision—to support, to belong, to contribute. Join us in this movement of generosity and help shape a brighter future in this beautiful country and beyond.

The ES VICIS Foundation’s “My Business ROOTED in my Village” program has empowered rural entrepreneurs in Argentina, helping them turn their ideas into impactful businesses. Here are three inspiring stories of entrepreneurs whose ventures have made a real difference in their communities. Natasha Dubrowsky: Innovating Education Through Gaming Natasha Dubrowsky, from Labordeboy, Argentina, is the founder of Synkronic Labs, a gaming studio with the mission of transforming education through play. Thanks to the “My Business ROOTED in my Village” program, Natasha took her project to new heights, securing 2nd place and proving that passion and innovation can turn dreams into reality, no matter where you are. With the support of @fundacionalimentaris, Natasha advanced her educational video game project, designed to support children with ADHD by providing engaging tools to enhance focus and learning in a fun, interactive way. [Watch Natasha’s Story here] Juan: Building Communities with Affordable Construction Solutions From Maggiolo, Argentina, Juan is transforming his community through his venture, La Roca, which produces affordable, high-quality anti-humidity wall panels. His project addresses common housing challenges in the region, offering practical solutions for local families. Through the “My Business ROOTED in my Village” program, Juan gained key business skills that helped him refine his model and plan for growth. Today, his venture is not just a source of income but a testament to the power of entrepreneurship in rural areas. [Watch Juan’s Story here] Brian Savino: Revolutionizing Local Hardware Commerce In Maggiolo, Argentina, Brian Savino is reshaping the hardware retail market with his business, Ferretería La Grange. With the support of the “My Business ROOTED in my Village” program, Brian gained essential business skills to streamline his operations and expand his reach. Today, his store offers a physical location, an online catalog, and digital payment options, making shopping easier for his community while expanding sales beyond Santa Fe to other provinces. [Watch Brian’s Story here]

On November 23, Maggiolo opened its doors to urban families, showcasing its rich history, vibrant community, and promising potential. Residents greeted them with warmth and joy. Saturday, November 23, was a day of connection and hope for Maggiolo. Families from nearby urban areas visited this small town, which has been facing population decline, to discover its charm, community, and opportunities for a fresh start. The locals welcomed them with open arms, offering tours of the town’s institutions and highlighting its unique activities. This visit went beyond a simple introduction—it marked a significant step toward bridging the rural-urban divide and envisioning new possibilities for revitalization. Welcome to My Village continues to transform dreams into reality, fostering connections and inspiring change. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who contributed to making this event a success. Discover the participants’ stories and watch the highlights here:  

As part of its Welcome to My Village and I Start My Business in My Village programs, the ES VICIS Foundation provided specialized entrepreneurial development training to over 50 entrepreneurs from Maggiolo, Labordeboy, and Carmen, three small towns in southern Santa Fe. This initiative concluded with an award ceremony recognizing the best projects, supported by the Alimentaris-Argentina Foundation. The program included training on business models, project development, and four one-on-one mentorship sessions with entrepreneurs whose businesses demonstrated exceptional scalability and community impact. The process culminated in a final project presentation, or ‘Pitch,’ as it’s commonly known in the entrepreneurial world. A panel of judges, comprising members from ES VICIS and Alimentaris-Argentina, evaluated the presentations. Winners: 1st Place: Sabor Callejero A family-run venture based in Carmen (population 2,000), Santa Fe. The Paulina family operates a food truck that offers fast, healthy meals at social and sports events within a 200 km radius. They collaborate closely with local suppliers, not only sourcing ingredients but also providing support and training to help them develop new products. Since its launch in 2018, the business has served over 12,700 customers at 208 events, generating family income while stimulating the local economy. Instagram: sabor.callejero2018 2nd Place: Synkronic Labs Founded by Natasha Dubrowsky, a young entrepreneur from Labordeboy (population 900), Synkronic Labs seeks to revolutionize education in Argentina through interactive video games that promote fast and engaging learning for children. Currently, Natasha is developing an educational video game featuring a protagonist with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), aiming to foster inclusion and adaptability in learning. Instagram: @Synkronic.Labs 3rd Place: Evolution Fitness Benjamin Spadoni and his girlfriend relocated from Rosario to Labordeboy a year ago to open a gym that has transformed the town’s lifestyle. Their initiative has inspired residents to adopt healthier, more active routines and has become a social hub, attracting individuals of all ages and socioeconomic backgrounds. Instagram: @evolutionfitnesslb_ Other Pitch Participants: La Roca (Maggiolo, population 2,000) Juan Escudero, a long-time construction professional in Maggiolo, recently began producing and selling anti-humidity panels for walls and floors, providing a local and affordable solution to common regional moisture issues.   La Grange Hardware Store (Maggiolo) Brian Savino’s venture aims to modernize access to hardware products through both a virtual and physical store, offering electronic payment options and an updated catalog for local institutions and businesses. Within three months of launching, the store now offers 300 products and has expanded sales to other towns and provinces. Instagram: @lagrangeferreteria Environmental Management Labordeboy (Labordeboy) Yanina Campos and Paola Galván are committed to reducing, reusing, and recycling urban solid waste, fostering a cleaner and more sustainable environment in their community. In addition to operational tasks, they promote environmental awareness, with increasing local participation in waste separation efforts. Instagram: @recicladolabordeboy Media Coverage: Distinctions for Entrepreneurs from Carmen, Maggiolo, and Labordeboy From Video Games to Food Trucks: Training Entrepreneurs in Small Towns in Southern Santa Fe

Ignacio Pieckenstainer left the city of Rosario to take on a new challenge at Maggiolo’s hospital, thanks to the campaign led by Welcome to My Village. Today, his story inspires those dreaming of a fuller life in small villages. Thanks to the Welcome to My Village program, Ignacio Pieckenstainer found a unique opportunity: working at Maggiolo’s hospital, a town that welcomed him with open arms. After several visits and meetings, he was confirmed for the position and moved to Maggiolo. His story serves as a powerful example for those looking to leave the city behind in search of a more balanced life in rural communities. At ES VICIS Foundation, we strive to connect the needs of small towns with the talents and dedication of families and professionals from larger cities ready to embrace a new chapter. Learn more about his journey!  

At the seminar The Public in Question, ES VICIS showcased the progress of Welcome to My Village, emphasizing the innovative data collection and impact measurement matrix co-developed with FLACSO experts in local development and evaluation. On November 13, the Latin American Faculty of Social Sciences (FLACSO) hosted the seminar The Public in Question: Argentine Civil Society in Uncertain Times. During the event, Mercedes Manfroni, Coordinator of the ES VICIS Foundation and the Welcome to My Village program in Argentina, together with Alejandro Casalis, Academic Director of the Master’s Program in Public Policies for Development with Social Inclusion at FLACSO, delivered a presentation titled: “Welcome to My Village (ES VICIS): Methodology, Networks, and Partnerships for Local Development and the Sustainable Repopulation of Small Towns in Argentina (2016–2024).” The presentation explored how Welcome to My Village has revitalized rural communities by leveraging innovative strategies, fostering interinstitutional collaboration, and promoting citizen participation. A key focus was the partnership between ES VICIS and FLACSO Argentina to implement a cutting-edge data collection and impact evaluation matrix tailored to Welcome to My Village. This comprehensive tool encompasses 12 dimensions, 69 variables, 400 indicators, and 13 data collection instruments, providing robust insights into the program’s contributions to local development and sustainable repopulation efforts.

We have signed a cooperation agreement with Junior Achievement. Utilizing our methodologies to engage young people, nearly 20 individuals aged between 14 and 25 from five villages have benefited by participating in three of Junior Achievement’s most sought-after programs: ‘I Can Program,’ ‘Personal Economy,’ and ‘Plan Your Future.   The ES VICIS Foundation and Junior Achievement have signed a cooperation agreement aimed at implementing initiatives and providing training that will benefit the education and employment of young people in the small towns where the ‘Welcome to My Village’ program is carried out. To ensure the participation of young people, the ES VICIS Foundation requested that the Support Committees of “Welcome to My Village” designate a motivator who would be responsible for mobilizing and supporting the youth to encourage them to complete the entire curriculum proposed in each program. More about Junior Achievement: Junior Achievement is one of the largest NGOs in the world. Through active learning in financial education, workforce readiness, and entrepreneurship, they empower young people to be the architects of their own future. Their initiatives reach over 10 million children and youth in more than 100 countries. It is ranked as the seventh most influential NGO globally. In Santa Fe, they have been operating continuously since 1997, with an office in Rosario, reaching more than 11,000 students annually, with the support of volunteers and business allies.

On November 9th, the ES VICIS Foundation’s Scholarship Program for entrepreneurs was launched in Carmen, Labordeboy, Maggiolo, Murphy, and San Eduardo. This marked the inception of the ‘I Start  business in My Village’ program, aimed at continually integrating entrepreneurs into this network.   In our program ‘Welcome to My Village’, entrepreneurs take center stage. By supporting and nurturing the entrepreneurial spirit, we promote the economic development of small towns, fostering local growth and community ties,” stated Mercedes Manfroni, Coordinator of the ES VICIS Foundation in Argentina, during the launch of the institution’s Entrepreneurship Scholarship Program. She added, “This contributes to our goal of fostering a sustainable balance between urban and rural areas.” The training provided to more than 50 entrepreneurs from these towns included a Business Model Workshop and a Digital Marketing Workshop. The Business Model Workshop was led by Romina Gleria, a Master in Business Sciences with extensive experience in training entrepreneurs, both at the ES VICIS Foundation and in other organizations. Gleria is also a professor at the Universidad Austral de Rosario. Participants were equipped with tools to efficiently manage their businesses, correctly identifying customer segments, channels, revenue sources, cost structures, resources, key partnerships, and activities. During the Entrepreneurship Scholarship Program, we conducted a Digital Marketing workshop led by Cintia Cantero, an expert in areas like graphic design and social media. Over three days, entrepreneurs learned how to enhance their communication on platforms such as Instagram, WhatsApp Business, and Facebook. They also explored tools to improve content, create videos, and schedule posts. This workshop marks the beginning of an ongoing journey for our ES VICIS network of entrepreneurs operating in rural towns. We are committed to enriching this network with new opportunities and developments through collaborative efforts. At the program’s conclusion, we gathered positive feedback through a satisfaction survey, highlighting the usefulness of the content, clarity of explanations, and expectations for future training. These testimonials validate our approach and help us measure the impact of our initiatives. The comments received were positive, here are some of the testimonials: “The most valuable thing was the bond and relationship that was generated with other entrepreneurs in the area. Personally, it has already opened the door for me to work with another entrepreneur in the program”. “The practical aspects of the program, the hands-on experience…. It helps a lot to understand.” “The practical aspect and the clarity in explaining the instructions.” “I value everything, because it is a course that I was very interested in and I loved it.” “All the information provided was of great personal interest”. “This course motivated me to continue betting on a personal project or an idea to be realized”. “I really appreciated learning how to obtain potential new clients”. “Very good predisposition of the speakers and good communication skills”. “The practical aspects, those that help us in the day to day, add to our undertakings”. “That it was also by zoom, that the meetings were punctual and, for the most part, entertaining. The information was quite clear. It was very important that the classes were recorded. That we were able to ask questions and that the post-meeting question returns were answered very quickly.” “I liked the patience in teaching”