Business initiatives to empower individuals and small enterprises
Two initiatives implemented for the Olympic Games Rio 2016, Sebrae on the Podium and the Olympic City Technical Programme, have empowered underprivileged individuals and small businesses after playing important roles before, during and following the Games.
Sebrae on the Podium, a programme created for Rio 2016 by Sebrae, the Brazilian Micro and Small Business Support Service, has continued as an independent initiative after the Games. It has built on its Rio 2016 platform, which empowered micro and small enterprises (MSEs), raised quality standards and accelerated changes in Brazil’s supply chain towards more sustainable practices.
Since the Games, Sebrae on the Podium has used its Rio 2016 methodology to secure MSEs supply contracts for other events, such as Rock in Rio 2017. It has signed cooperation agreements worth BRL 3.5 billion with two large Brazilian companies to work with sustainable MSEs, with the first beneficiaries being those that qualified as Rio 2016 suppliers. Additionally, it has transferred knowledge of how to incorporate MSEs into the Olympic supply chain for future Olympic Games Organising Committees and interested parties.
Under Sebrae on the Podium’s Rio 2016 programme, 1,000 MSEs from 11 Brazilian states were awarded 4,880 supplier contracts for the Games, resulting in the creation of between 16,000 and 18,000 jobs.
The programme exceeded expectations on multiple levels. Nearly 13,000 MSEs were registered on the Rio 2016 Procurement Portal, a 260 per cent increase on the goal of 5,000. Nearly BRL 390 million was allocated to MSEs through Rio 2016 contracts, a 30 per cent increase on the goal of BRL 300 million.
As part of this programme, Sebrae on the Podium developed a suite of free activities and services to aid the development of MSEs and encourage learning exchange. Additionally, the programme assisted all MSEs selected as potential Games suppliers in obtaining United Nations Standard Products and Services Code (UNSPSC) certification. These services allowed MSE employees to continue their professional development through participation in training programmes and business roundtables.
In the lead-up to the Games, Rio 2016 commercial partner Cisco provided training and employment in IT networking to young professionals from low-income backgrounds through the Olympic City Technical Programme. The programme provided valuable skills and a certification (CCNA) that enabled more than 300 graduates to pursue highly remunerated careers. Cisco has continued to offer education and training to citizens following the Games through partnerships with nine local digital inclusion centres in Rio’s socially vulnerable communities (favelas). Each of the digital inclusion centres received a donation from Cisco, consisting of complete IT infrastructure and fully equipped video conferencing rooms.