Vitrina Solidaria is a non-profit social company founded in 2013, dedicated to sustainable development and solidarity economy that promotes microbusinesses and social enterprises to achieve success in the markets; thus, contributing to the prosperity of Puerto Rico. Vitrina praises the best artisan products and promotes equal opportunities for entrepreneurs through training and support activities; a virtual sales channel; and educational campaigns for responsible consumption. Its mission is to strengthen the Puerto Rican solidarity business fabric, educating consumers, increasing demand for products and investing in solidarity entrepreneurs. Its vision is to be a leading social company that successfully contributes to the supportive economic development and prosperity of Puerto Rico.

El Yunque Emprende (EYE) is a business acceleration program established in 2016 thanks to a historic collaboration agreement with the Forest Service of the El Yunque National Forest. Based on the Forest Management Plan, as one of the main guides for the development of the area, EYE seeks to develop spaces of solidarity and sustainable economy in the ten (10) municipalities that make up the El Yunque National Forest, to collaborate with the socioeconomic recovery of the Eastern region of Puerto Rico. These municipalities are: Canóvanas, Río Grande, Luquillo, Fajardo, Ceiba, Naguabo, Humacao, Las Piedras, Juncos and Loíza.

Business training, mentoring, coaching and business experiences.

This business acceleration program has the following four (4) specialty modules:

Gastronomy: Focuses on developing products and/or services for consumption or sale related to the culinary art or promoting and/or preparing good food. It includes but is not limited to cultivation or production of food for the preparation of food (ingredients), preparation of recipes, preparation or sale of food, among others.

Local production: This specialty focuses on the establishment of companies or businesses aimed at the manufacture and/or sale of emblematic products of our Puerto Rican culture and/or representative of a specific town or area of interest to be praised. It includes but is not limited to making and selling local crafts with images of our culture on cups, plates, jewelry, and making leather craft products such as wallets or shoes.

Circular economy: This economy develops forms of business that are supportive of the environment and the community, transforming materials into useful items so that they do not reach the landfill. Some examples are the development of second-hand stores for the sale or rental of clothing, shoes, tools, toys, cell phones; production and sale of composting; repair and sale of furniture, production of shoes or mattresses with car tires.

Sustainable tourism: Sustainable tourism pursues its economic activity by generating a positive impact on the environment and ecosystem. Some examples are coordination of trips to visit forests, tourist guides, interpretation of trails, rivers or agricultural areas; provide transportation to visit green areas and promote local consumption, outdoor recreation, among others.

To consider a module change you must send a request via email to calaf@vitrinasolidaria.com for review by the evaluation committee.

The training programming includes the following topics: personal and business finances, budget projection, legal aspects, social networks, marketing and brand management, Solidarity Business Canvas, 1-year action plan, resilience in business, flow cash flow, business balance point, balance between personal life and work, exports and permits. Other topics will be offered as part of complementing the program services.

Vitrina Solidaria entrepreneurs can participate in various initiatives for the exhibition of their products or services, such as, for example, participation in sales points or channels in Pop-Up markets, Vitrina Solidaria stores, Vitrina Solidaria virtual store, educational and cultural activities, workstation or meeting rooms, among others. The benefit of participating in the Pop-Ups may be one of the practical experiences for the marketing and sale of your products or services by actively attending the Business Acceleration Program and if you have your product or service ready for sale. Each of these sales points or channels has its participation requirements. Vitrina Solidaria staff will invite active entrepreneurs and graduates to participate in these activities. They may also request the use of the workstations and rooms of La Sede Solidaria free of charge according to the availability of the spaces, while they are active in the Business Acceleration Program. Once they complete the program, La Sede Solidaria has various affiliations at an affordable cost from which they can also benefit.

• To be 18 years old or more.

• Be an active resident of one of the 10 municipalities of the El Yunque National Forest region: Canóvanas, Río Grande, Luquillo, Fajardo, Ceiba, Naguabo, Humacao, Las Piedras, Juncos or Loíza. People who are not residents of these mentioned municipalities whose companies or businesses are established in one of these will be considered.

• Have a company or business in operation, or, have a clear business idea ready to go to market.

• Any proposal submitted or to be developed during the course of the program must be the original work of the evaluated participant.

• Submit all required documents during the application and selection process.

The Program lasts six (6) months of direct service. This includes 64 hours of training requirement and 32 hours of complementary practices. In addition, it includes a mentoring service, technical support and educational workshops on complementary topics.

Training sessions are concentrated in the first 5 weeks of the Program. The remaining time of the 6 months is destined to business practices, coaching and personalized support (according to the needs of each entrepreneur, and subject to the availability of the instructors).

Vitrina Solidaria offers interested parties the possibility of requesting one of the following groups, according to the best geographical convenience of each participant:

Group A: Based in Juncos (Municipal Library Dr. José Gallardo). Start date: February 1, 2024.

Group B: Based in Fajardo (Multiple Use Center). Start date: March 5, 2024.

The training will be given in mixed mode, with in-person, virtual and hybrid sessions. The modality of each of the sessions is previously established in the Program calendar and will be duly notified to the participants in advance.

For in-person sessions, participants must attend the headquarters established by Vitrina Solidaria, corresponding to the group they have requested (A-Juncos: Dr. José Gallardo Municipal Library, and B-Fajardo: Multiple Use Center).

The established schedule is Tuesday to Friday from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. However, activities may arise outside of these hours. These decisions are informed in advance for the consideration of the participants.

The program is subsidized by federal CDBG-DR funds through the Puerto Rico Department of Housing, which allows an approximate investment of $5,000.00 dollars per person to be completely FREE of COST for those selected.

Yes. A maximum of 25 participants per specialty will be admitted in each of the groups (A-Juncos and B-Fajardo). For this reason, we recommend that you apply as soon as possible within the deadline, so that you can secure your place.

The Program is offered in Spanish. If a non-Spanish speaking person has any specific inconvenience or need in this regard, they must notify it in writing to calaf@vitrinasolidaria.com in order to evaluate the mechanisms to support them.

Yes. During the training you must complete and deliver on time the tasks assigned by the instructors. In addition, the ‘‘Canvas Solidario’’ and one-year Action Plan tools are a requirement to pass the program. These deliverables are worked on during the program and you will receive technical support for their completion and compliance.

These services must be requested in advance through the Business Training Manager so that they can be coordinated with the instructors.

The instructors of the Program are professionals with recognized experience who practice private practice in their areas of specialization.

For your application to be considered and evaluated, you must send the following documents via email, as indicated during the process:

• Criminal Record Certificate: https://servicios.pr.gov/info

• Personal Resume.

• ID (copy of current driver's license or passport).

• Proof of residence (copy of water or electricity bill or copy of the rental contract).

• Evidence of current income (copy of payroll stub or employment certification, if employed).

• Employer Social Security and certificate of incorporation (copy-if you have a registered corporation).

• Evidence of No Income (Applies if you indicated that you have no income to report. Form will be provided).

• Applicant Certification (will be provided).

As soon as you submit your request, you will automatically receive an email confirming that it was received. In the following days you will receive a second email with the next steps necessary to complete your application process (this phase includes sending all required documents). Once you complete the indicated steps, the application will be evaluated by a committee and subsequently, you will be notified of the result via email. This process can take around 7 to 10 calendar days. Stay tuned to your email!

*If you are not admitted, you can request reconsideration via email within a maximum period of 10 days after receiving the notification.

No. Only people 18 years of age or older can apply.

Residents of the 10 municipalities of the El Yunque National Forest region will have priority: Canóvanas, Río Grande, Luquillo, Fajardo, Ceiba, Naguabo, Humacao, Las Piedras, Juncos and Loíza. People who are not residents of these municipalities mentioned, but whose companies or businesses are established in one of these, will be considered.

To be eligible for the program, it is a requirement that you have a small or medium-sized business already in operation, or at least a very well-defined business idea ready to go to market.

The Program is designed for entrepreneurs who have a business or company in operation or who at least have a clear business idea ready to go to market. If you are undecided about clearly identifying your business idea, type of business or product, contact us at calaf@vitrinasolidaria.com for guidance. We can refer you to other programs from allied organizations that are currently active, and you could benefit from their services.

Yes. The Program is designed to give you the tools.

Yes. Both physical/in-person and digital/virtual operating companies can participate in the Program.

Yes. Vitrina Solidaria is an entity with a vision of affirmative action that follows the principles of non-discrimination and equal rights and opportunities. Vitrina Solidaria does not discriminate based on race, color, sex, birth, origin or social condition, nor political or religious ideas. It does not discriminate based on functional diversity. If you have any functional diversity, contact calaf@vitrinasolidaria.com for guidance.

To pass the Program, a minimum of 90% attendance of the 64 hours of training is required. Additionally, complete the Solidarity Business Canvas tools and one-year Action Plan to be granted certification. The 32 hours of complementary practice and mentoring services, as well as technical support, are times that the entrepreneur can freely select in coordination with the Vitrina Solidaria staff, depending on the availability of resources.

Throughout the Program your contact will be our Business Training Manager

If after reading these frequently asked questions you still have doubts, write to calaf@vitrinasolidaria.com and we’ll be happy to assist you.