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Accenture Foundations Awards Enablis with Additional $1.25 Million to Support Entrepreneurs in ArgentinaApr 25, 2011 (Close-Up Media via COMTEX) -- Accenture and Enablis have announced that the Accenture Foundations have awarded Enablis an additional grant of $1.25 million to help the organization support entrepreneurs in Argentina. The group reported that that this grant brings Accenture's direct support to Enablis to more than $3 million since 2007. The award reflects Accenture's global corporate citizenship initiative, Skills to Succeed, which aims to equip 250,000 people around the world by 2015 with the skills to get a job or build a business. The group noted that that the grant will help Enablis develop, mentor and train more than 1,100 entrepreneurs in Argentina, supporting their efforts to build and scale strong, sustainable businesses. In addition to the grant, Accenture said that it will continue supporting Enablis with pro-bono services, as it has done since the organization's inception in 2004. Specifically, Accenture employee volunteers will provide mentoring support for the entrepreneurs. Most recently, Accenture Development Partnerships developed the framework, feasibility study and action plan for Enablis' expansion into Argentina. "Supporting Enablis helps bring to life Accenture's commitment to building skills," said Adrian Lajtha, chief leadership officer at Accenture. "Enablis is succeeding at a rapid pace and is proving it's possible to make a significant, lasting impact on the economic well-being of individuals and their communities by developing entrepreneurial skills and connecting people with the right job opportunities." After seven successful years and 12 urban hubs across Africa, Enablis' expansion to Argentina is to be the first of many efforts on the Latin American continent. As with the organization's growth through Africa, the group reported that the Buenos Aires office will help establish Enablis' presence in Argentina before it reaches into other eligible cities and countries. "Accenture's Skills to Succeed mission is to build skills that enable people to participate in and contribute to the economy," said Roberto Alvarez, country managing director of Accenture Argentina. "The Enablis network can provide much needed support to our country's entrepreneurs, so they can grow their ventures into sustainable and high performing businesses, creating jobs and economic development in Argentina." Enablis' first entrepreneur member in Buenos Aires is Hernan Marchiselli, founder of CEFEF, a company that organizes sports events and develops customized programs to help Human Resources departments with employee integration and retention. Hernan, a Physical Education Licenciate, started his business seven years ago, looking for personal growth and convinced that innovation and customer focus are key ingredients for success. "It is an honor to be part of the Enablis Network," he said. "I believe Enablis can help me further develop my business skills and grow my company with increased opportunities through the exchange with other entrepreneurs and their network of partner companies." Paul Lamontagne, Enablis Global CEO, shared the excitement about the opening of the new office: "Expansion into Latin America is an important milestone for Enablis. Thanks to Accenture's efforts, we are well on our way to achieving our mission to drive meaningful economic development and be leaders in empowering entrepreneurs in the developing world." Accenture is a global management consulting, technology services and outsourcing company. Enablis Entrepreneurial Network is a member-based organization existing throughout the African continent. Founded by Accenture and Telesystem, in collaboration with the Government of Canada, the Enablis Entrepreneurial Network is a non-profit organization (NPO) geared at leveraging and supporting entrepreneurial talent in developing economies. More Information: www.accenture.com ((Comments on this story may be sent to [email protected])) |