Women entrepreneurs are making a difference in the heart of the Cauca region and along Colombia’s Pacific coast for a more equitable, digitally connected community.
A transformative project is underway, breathing new life into local economies and empowering women. ‘Internet Plus: entrepreneurship, women and digital tools’ is an initiative developed by Fundación PLAN, supported by the Internet Society Foundation’s SCILLS grant program (Strengthening Communities/Improving Lives and Livelihoods), in partnership with Asociación Colnodo.
This project, implemented in the municipalities of Villa Rica, Padilla, and Tumaco, is not just about technology. It is about promoting economic inclusion, enhancing digital competitiveness, and reducing the digital gap in historically underserved communities.
These regions, mostly inhabited by Afro-descendant women, have long faced systemic barriers to essential services, connectivity, and economic opportunities. Recognizing this structural reality, Fundación PLAN is implementing this project to directly address these disparities and support 25 women-led businesses by providing them with key Internet literacy and digital marketing skills.
Unlocking potential through Digital Skills
The project Internet Plus provides a digital boost for women entrepreneurs. For many participants, this is their first meaningful interaction with the digital world. Through a comprehensive program focused on developing digital skills with a gender perspective, women are learning to use the Internet to promote, showcase, and sell their products and services online, thereby expanding their income streams and building sustainable economic futures.
For the first time, many of these women are creating logos, launching social media pages, and learning how to promote and sell their products online — skills that once seemed out of reach due to limited access and digital literacy.
Edilma, a project beneficiary from Padilla, shares her profound experience: “My life has changed tremendously with this project because it has brought us closer together as entrepreneurs, connected us to technology, and made our products visible around the world, because social media links us to everyone. So now we’ve at least started creating our own logo, creating our own email, and this helps us, as women who care for a household, to work from home and increase our earnings, because sales will grow.”
Monica, a project beneficiary from Villa Rica, echoes this sentiment: “The Internet and social media helped me a lot since I’ve been learning new things I didn’t know. They’ve helped me throughout this training period to make more progress and reach more people who need my services. And, on top of that, working to be the best.”
Through gender-focused training sessions and activities like intergenerational digital learning exchanges between adults and young people and a virtual entrepreneurship fair, the beneficiaries are not only gaining digital skills but also emerging as community leaders, reshaping the narrative around rural women’s economic empowerment.
Pamela, the Programmatic Vice President at Fundación PLAN, highlights the project’s wider goals: “Basically, what we want is for women to strengthen their productive initiatives and digital marketing processes so they can adopt digital tools to grow their businesses. The goal is not only to improve their businesses but also to empower themselves. As women, to be empowered, gain financial independence, and through these productive initiatives, not only generate income for their families but also promote development in their communities.”
Beyond Business: digital equity with local impact
The impact of Internet Plus goes well beyond individual businesses. By empowering women, the project strengthens the social and economic fabric of entire communities, promoting transformative gender-focused development.
The chosen regions have long faced systemic inequalities such as limited infrastructure, low connectivity, and socio-economic barriers that disproportionately affect Afro-descendant women. “This is a project where we are aiming to reach areas that for many years have been completely disconnected, that may not have had access to services, technology, or meaningful economic development. It’s very important for us to create conditions that enable the transformation of lives and communities in these territories.”, states Pamela, the Programmatic Vice President at Fundación PLAN.
Despite technological challenges, women consistently demonstrate commitment and innovation, often finding creative ways to connect when resources are limited. “The business units have been very receptive, even though they didn’t have all the technological elements regarding connectivity. But they’ve always been known for their willingness and readiness to receive information,” states Adriana, the Project Coordinator at Fundación PLAN. “The community’s spirit has always been very joyful and is always eager to receive us. They’re very warm, very loving, and they’ve always welcomed the project in a very positive way,” she adds about the participants’ dedication. Fundación PLAN on-site team provides ongoing support, ensuring entrepreneurs receive the guidance they need throughout the 24-month project.
A shared vision for Inclusion and Empowerment
The success of this project lies in the power of partnership. The collaboration between Fundación PLAN, the Internet Society Foundation, and Asociación Colnodo has enabled deep community engagement, built trust, and helped create opportunities in spaces where women were often excluded from the digital economy.
Yalila, a beneficiary from Villa Rica, emphasizes the transformation: “This project has changed me because now, with what I’ve learned, I can navigate social media more easily. Before, it was all word of mouth, showing, convincing with words. Now, we convince with results.”
For the Programmatic Vice President at Fundación PLAN Colombia, this project that links digital inclusion with economic autonomy and women’s empowerment “is based on a shared vision: that the Internet can be a tool for building more just, equitable, and inclusive communities,” states Pamela.
By empowering women entrepreneurs with essential digital skills and tools, “we’re not only fostering their business growth but also significantly contributing to their financial autonomy and the overall digital transformation of their communities,” affirms Jenn Beard, Senior Program Officer at the Internet Society Foundation. “This initiative exemplifies the objective of the SCILLS grant program: ensuring that underrepresented communities not only have access to the Internet but also can meaningfully use it to improve their lives. This project demonstrates the immense potential of targeted digital literacy programs to uplift women, break down traditional barriers, and create a more equitable and connected future,” she stated.
Internet Plus is empowering 25 women entrepreneurs in Colombia to claim their space in the digital economy and drive lasting change in their communities. It’s an inspiring example of how gender-responsive digital inclusion promotes not only economic empowerment but also community resilience.
Learn more about:
– SCIILS Grant program
– Fundación PLAN
– Asociación Colnodo