Videoconference: Promoting entrepreneurship and enterprise development services – SENA/Cinterfor Agreement 2025

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1/10/2025

The activity took place within the framework of the 2025 Agreement between Colombia’s National Training Service (SENA) and the ILO/Cinterfor. It provided a space for exchanging institutional experiences in promoting entrepreneurship.

On this occasion, Costa Rica’s National Training Institute (INA), through its Enterprise Promotion and Development Unit (UFODE), presented its comprehensive strategy to strengthen entrepreneurship and the management of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in the country.

The presentation was delivered by Fernando Sánchez Matarrita, Head of UFODE, who highlighted the role of INA in supporting MSMEs, which account for more than 95 per cent of Costa Rica’s business sector. He explained that, in accordance with the Law on the Development Banking System, INA allocates part of its budget to non-financial services, including:

  • Enterprise Development Centres (EDCs), inspired by international models and adapted to the national context;

  • Digital acceleration and enterprise support programmes, designed to strengthen competitiveness;

  • INA IMPULSA, a virtual platform offering practical training for entrepreneurs;

  • ALMA Programme, focused on supporting women entrepreneurs; and

  • Innovation and training grants to encourage the creation of new projects.

Between 2023 and 2024, UFODE provided assistance to more than 2,200 MSMEs, trained over 1,000 people, awarded scholarships to 690 beneficiaries and supported more than 210 women entrepreneurs.

During the exchange with participants, emphasis was placed on the importance of adapting international models to local realities, strengthening collaboration between business chambers and educational institutions, and developing evaluation systems to measure more accurately the economic and social impact of these initiatives.

The agreement between SENA and ILO/Cinterfor strengthens the exchange of knowledge and experience, consolidating a regional cooperation agenda that promotes entrepreneurship, innovation and local development.