Inclusion Initiatives in Chile: Foundations that Make a Difference

In a country like Chile, where social inequalities still represent a significant challenge, foundations with a transformative social approach have emerged as key players in building a more inclusive future. These organizations not only address urgent issues but also promote inclusion as a central axis of their strategies. Through initiatives that seek to empower and develop marginalized communities and encourage the active participation of all sectors of society, these foundations are leading a profound change that transforms lives and opens up new opportunities for those who need them most.

1. Best Buddies Chile

The Best Buddies Chile Foundation is an international non-profit organization dedicated to empowering people with Intellectual Disabilities, helping them to develop key socio-labor skills. Through its Labor, Social, and Leadership Inclusion programs, the foundation promotes the active participation of these people in labor, social, and educational life, to foster a more inclusive and responsible society.

Committed to the creation of opportunities and the defense of equality, Best Buddies Chile has been officially registered as a grantee under Law No. 21.015, which focuses on the labor inclusion of people with disabilities. Its work has positively impacted many lives, transforming the approach to inclusion in the country and promoting greater awareness of the importance of full integration of all people in society.

2. STEM WOMAN FOUNDATION

Tecfem foundation is an organization committed to the empowerment of women in the STEM field (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and traditionally male-dominated professions. Through its web platform, it offers women a free space to publish and disseminate their services and products, thus boosting their entrepreneurship and independent initiatives.

In addition, Tecfem provides digital tools that facilitate promoting these services. It also manages a labor portfolio of STEM women available to companies committed to gender equity and that offer environments conducive to professional development.

The foundation also organizes internships and talks in professional technical schools, encouraging female participation in these areas from an early age. It also actively collaborates with companies that wish to implement or have already obtained certification in Chilean Standard 3262, which promotes gender equality and the reconciliation of work, family, and personal life in the Chilean work environment.

3. WAZU FOUNDATION

The WAZU Foundation is a beacon of inclusion and diversity, formed by a team of professionals with disabilities and supported by a diverse and committed board of directors. Its purpose is to lead a significant cultural shift in the perception of disability, challenging and redefining current standards to build a more inclusive and just society.

With a clear mission, WAZU is dedicated to transforming the way disability is understood and addressed in society. The foundation works tirelessly to facilitate the labor and social inclusion of people with disabilities while supporting companies and organizations to adopt inclusive practices and create accessible and diverse environments. Its approach not only seeks to integrate people with disabilities into the workplace but also to ensure that they find opportunities and conditions that allow them to fully thrive.

WAZU's vision is to build a society in which disability and diversity are celebrated and respected. The foundation focuses on removing barriers that limit the autonomy and independence of people with disabilities, promoting a culture in which every individual can participate fully and meaningfully in all spheres of life. Through its work, WAZU aspires to forge a future where every difference is valued and where everyone has the opportunity to shine to their full potential.

4. PORTAS FOUNDATION

The Portas Foundation is dedicated to supporting young people from vulnerable backgrounds on their path to higher education. The organization offers comprehensive support from university entrance through to graduation and the search for their first professional job. Its program combines personal and academic development with economic support, achieving remarkable results in terms of educational retention and labor market insertion, ensuring that young people not only complete their studies but also have access to appropriate professional opportunities.

The purpose of Portas is to transform the reality of socially vulnerable young people, contributing to building a more equitable Chile. The foundation encourages these students to develop personal and social skills, build a solid life project, and successfully integrate into the labor market. Its vision is a world where all young people, regardless of their origin, have the opportunity to realize their dreams and have a positive impact on society, reaching their full potential and contributing significantly to their communities.

5. EDU DOWN FOUNDATION

The Edudown Foundation is a non-profit corporation founded in 2000, dedicated to providing free care to children and young people with Down syndrome. Its objective is to promote the integral development of these individuals to improve their quality of life and that of their families, from infancy to adulthood. The foundation operates in five locations throughout Chile, located in San Bernardo (two), Providencia, Santiago Centro, La Serena, and Temuco, and has a 100% inclusive kindergarten in San Bernardo.

The Edudown team is made up of 70 professionals specialized in key areas such as psychology, kinesiology, phono audiology, special education, occupational therapy, and psychomotor skills, as well as administrative staff. This structure allows the foundation to serve more than 1,200 children and young people throughout the country. The corporation's funding comes mainly from members who contribute monthly through CMR cards, credit cards, debit cards, and banks, as well as contributions from private individuals, companies, and public tender funds. Edudown also offers corporate volunteering opportunities, consulting, and training courses. Donations can be made through certificates such as the Social Donations Law 19.885, Labor Inclusion 21.015, and Single Donations 21.440.

6. EN SEÑAS FOUNDATION

The “En Señas” Foundation is a private law and non-profit organization, established in 2018, dedicated to training and collaboration for the inclusion of people with hearing disabilities in Chile. In a country where approximately 2,832,818 people live with some type of disability, and where about 27.3% of them face hearing loss, the foundation focuses on making visible and promoting the deaf cause. This figure, which amounts to some 712,005 people with hearing loss and 179,268 with total deafness, continues to increase due to the aging of the population.

“En Señas” works to disseminate culture and Chilean Sign Language (LSCh), contributing to the education and inclusion of children, youth, and adults with hearing impairment. The foundation operates through two key centers: the Centro de Recursos e Investigación Mundo Sordo (CRIMS) and the Centro de Atención Auditiva (CAA), where they develop programs and services that support the integration and development of the deaf community in Chile.

7. AVANZA Inclusión The AVANZA Inclusion organization was founded in 2010 with the mission of promoting the social and labor inclusion of people with disabilities. Since its creation, the foundation has developed a series of programs and collaborated with various entities to strengthen the employability and social development of these individuals. Its focus is on providing the necessary tools to enable individuals to perform autonomously in their adult lives through work.

As of 2021, AVANZA Inclusion expanded its mission to include other groups at risk of social exclusion, such as people in recovery from drug and alcohol abuse, people in street situations, and the post-penitentiary population. Active in the Community of Solidarity Organizations (COS), the Incluye Network, and as a member of SOFOFA's Labor Inclusion Committee, the organization has established itself as a key player in promoting labor and social inclusion at the national level. It is also registered with the Ministry of Social Development and Family under Law No. 21.015, which promotes the labor inclusion of people with disabilities. One of its outstanding projects, “Avanzamos Contigo 2.0”, aims to provide differentiated support to facilitate the social and labor inclusion of 600 people with various types of disabilities nationwide, achieving the labor inclusion of 210 of them.

AVANZA Inclusion's vision is to become a benchmark in the promotion and development of services and solutions for the employability of people at risk of social exclusion, generating intersectoral alliances for the development of public policies and collaborative projects. Would you be interested in learning about more organizations in Chile focused on inclusion?

The SENADIS registry is currently available.

https://externos.senadis.cl/catastro/