Between the cultural sector and the ecosystem of social enterprises, a complex and promising panorama is unfolding that highlights the importance of the conservation of the cultural heritage and its intrinsic link with investment in enterprises with a cultural focus. This relationship, which transcends historical challenges and extends into the present and future, is vital to the economic, social and environmental growth of nations like ours.
Although the conservation of the cultural heritage has been a central issue in our country, it has not been exempt from presenting challenges. For example, one of them is the scarce appreciation of cultural diversity, but, indeed, it is not the only one: there are also limited opportunities for the financing of endeavors of this type.
Regarding the latter, we observe that although there are funds and organizations (both private and public) that provide financing, these are generally oriented to early stages of development. Which results in the fact that we do not have, within the map of social cultural enterprises, others that may have a more advanced development.
UNESCO is playing a key role by driving initiatives that support the conservation of the cultural heritage through cultural social enterprises. One of these initiatives is the “Pact for Culture 2030”, of which the Wiese Foundation is an allied partner. This platform is designed to strengthen the capabilities of cultural managers and entrepreneurs who are inspired by archaeological sites and intangible expressions.
Why must we invest in social enterprises that promote the conservation of the cultural heritage?
The conservation of the cultural heritage has a positive impact on the economic, social and environmental development of our country. In spite of the challenges, the post-pandemic trend indicates emerging opportunities for sectors developing around historic sites. These opportunities include greater access to financing and the reduction of barriers to the strengthening of management capabilities in cultural enterprises.
In the scenario described above, social innovation programs such as the Wiese Foundation‘s Entrepreneurial Fund play a fundamental role in strengthening this ecosystem. Through this fund, we promote the identity. To this end, in its second edition, we included as a bonus in the evaluation those social enterprises that can accredit some link with promoting, revaluating, making visible, and/or educating on issues related to the material and/or immaterial cultural heritage of Peru.
In fact, 6 of the 7 finalist enterprises selected have the cultural component in mind in their business models. You can learn about them by clicking here. Thus, the fund stands as a platform that not only fosters the financial growth of business undertakings, but also their impact on Peru’s cultural identity.
Soon, we will have the four undertakings that will move on to the Entrepreneurship Fund Acceleration stage
In the coming months, we shall determine which of the undertakings that are in the Pre-Acceleration phase of the Wiese Foundation’s Entrepreneurial Fund will move on to the Acceleration stage, which will obtain benefits such as financing, specialized advice and personalized training. If you want to know how this second call is going and which are the selected cultural social enterprises, we invite you to stay attentive on our website and social media.
You can also read:
1. What is social entrepreneurship? 7 Social enterprises that can inspire you
2. The Wiese Foundation launches the series “Know-hows of my community”, an initiative that seeks to revalue and preserve ancestral artistic expressions
3. What is sustainable fashion and how can you undertake a business and take care of the environment? 3 examples
