Social Issue

Although Colombia has had significant results in reducing poverty and wage gaps, it continues to be one of the countries with the highest levels of inequality.

There are large differences between urban and rural regions, and high levels of inequality hinder development and are a barrier to poverty eradication.

The department of Nariño has one of the highest extreme poverty rates in the country.

Our Response

Netri has been collaborating with Contactar since 2018 by providing them with funding to grant microloans to their clients. Microloans are a powerful tool to promote small-scale productive activity and help farmers become more productive.

Contactar is a non-profit, mixed participation civil association created in 1991 by four public and private institutions to promote the development of the Pasto region of Colombia.

Its activities are focused on the southern part of the country (six departments), offering services and loans to microentrepreneurial clients working in the agricultural sector and to other microenterprises in the region, especially in the rural sector. It is an entity with a strong social performance, promoting financial inclusion and improving the welfare of its clients. In addition to granting microloans, it offers training through workshops for its clients to deepen their knowledge of agricultural practices, financial issues, and how to improve their health.

Expected Social Impact

Thanks to the Netri Foundation’s investment, it is estimated that Contactar will be able to grant approximately 1,500 microloans, with the aim of strengthening rural communities in southern Colombia.