(05 November, 2009) A Brazilian organization develops a methodology to facilitate the adoption process of children over five years of age; temporary indigenous migrants have access to quality medical service in Costa Rica; Mexican women significantly increase their income by preparing "nostalgic" foods for export to the United States.

All of these initiatives have effectively contributed to the war against poverty, inequality and social exclusion in their communities. Social Innovation is a common factor, added to active community participation and reasonable costs.

From 11 to 13 November the Fair of Social Innovation will be held at the Plazoleta de los Mártires of the University of San Carlos in Guatemala (USAC). Visitors will have access to 18 innovative initiatives selected by the Experiences in social innovation contest over the past 2 years. The contest is an ECLAC initiative with support from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.

Thirteen finalist projects from eight countries in the region, selected during the 2008-2009 cycle will be present at the fair:

Story-telling Grandmothers, Argentina
Water and Human Rights Defenders, Argentina
Social and labor insertion of urban recyclers using a strategic network, Argentina
Support to family-based producers in Gran La Plata, Argentina
Guardian Angel- the right of every child to grow in a family, Brazil
Maringa Social Observatory, Brazil
Coexistence with the Semi-arid region: access to water, solidarity and citizenship, Brazil
From garbage to rehabilitation- a hope of integration, Chile
Integral medical attention for the itinerant indigenous population, Costa Rica
Bi-national investment project to process "nostalgic" foods, Mexico
Andean Educational Families: academic support to girls and boys, Peru
Generation of income and jobs in Altiplano cattle-raising, Peru
Whoever tells, tells: literacy and families in vulnerable communities, Uruguay

Las year's finalists will also be present at the V Fair of social innovation:

Freshwater cup environmental football league, Belize
Hermes- School violence management programme, Colombia
Strengthening popular finances in Asuay and Cañar- a high migration context, Ecuador
A Roof for Chile: From slums to neighborhoods, Chile
Our paths: From traditional schooling to inter-cultural learning, Argentina

Representatives of ECLAC, the Kellogg Foundation and USAC will inaugurate the Fair on Wednesday 11 November.

That same day, at 5:00 P.M., a conference on social innovation will be held. James McHale, Vice President of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, will lecture on the role foundations play in social innovation. Martin Hopenhayn, Director of the Social Development Division at this Commission, will speak about innovation and social development.

On Friday, 13 November at 3:00 P.M., the Award Ceremony will be held. First place winner will be awarded 30,000 dollars; second place 20,000; third place 15,000; fourth and fifth places will receive 10,000 and 5,000, respectively.
The Experiences in social innovation project identifies and encourages the creative replication of innovative projects that rely on the active participation of the community as a means to strengthen citizenship and, therefore, democracy.

More information is available at: ECLAC Website and W.K. Kellogg Foundation for Latin America and the Caribbean Website or by calling (56-2) 210-2297. Information may also be requested at the following E-Mails: innovacion.socialcepal.org or vferiainnovacionsocialgmail.com

Become a Fair Friend on Facebook: VFeria InnovacionSocial

For specific information click on the following links:
Innovation Fair agenda
Bank of experiences