Independent (Mariana Rodrigues)

I am a professional passionate about social impact. With a background in Journalism (UNESP) and a specialization in Public Policy Innovation (FGV), I have extensive experience in advocacy, process facilitation, and project management focused on Entrepreneurship, Innovation, Local Development, and Income Generation. With both a strategic and hands-on approach, I work on creating methodologies and designing solutions that strengthen impactful initiatives and public policies—especially those aimed at the socioeconomic inclusion of women and individuals registered in the CadÚnico (Brazil’s Unified Registry for Social Programs). About Aliança Empreendedora: We live in a country with a brutal inequality but filled with honest, creative, and hardworking people that start their micro businesses to generate income for their families, they just don't know that they are entrepreneurs and that they just need a push. Aliança Empreendedora empowers, trains, and connects low-income micro-entrepreneurs so they can thrive. We support them because they are almost 20 million beacons of hope, the key to social and economic inclusion, they generate more than 50% of the jobs and contribute almost 30% of the GDP. And furthermore, a researcher from the Brazilian Institute of Economic Studies conducted a projection showing that an increase in the qualification, support, and formalization of microentrepreneurs can generate an 8% increase in GDP and lift 5 million people out of poverty within 4 years. For 19 years we have been witness to the most amazing transformations, and know that there is still much work to be done; we have much to learn and exchange with the world. Being part of a delegation that will bring the voice of these 20 million microentrepreneurs and their potential to the UN can leverage partnerships, connections, and even resources to make this dream a reality.