More than 35 entrepreneurs from Corral benefited from the "Together for Corral" program, thanks to an alliance between Fundación Chile a Fondo and Portuaria Corral.

"Our commune has always aspired to develop local tourism and, although we have developed other actions such as Corral Bike that have the same objective, we saw that working with Fundación Chile a Fondo allowed us to support this concern through very concrete projects, which also represent an opportunity for many of our neighbors who have suffered the impacts of the pandemic," said the general manager of Portuaria Corral, Diego Sprenger.

This involves the delivery of twelve-month interest-free loans with a three-month grace period, which also have the guidance of the foundation to support the entire evaluation, delivery and follow-up process, accompanying the neighbors so that they can start up or reactivate their businesses.

"Our role as Chile a Fondo is to promote the growth of the country's entrepreneurs, connecting them with companies or various actors in society. This is a virtuous circle: in this case the company supports with funds to promote these SMEs and these, by returning them, will allow other entrepreneurs to benefit," said the executive director of Chile a Fondo, Macarena Soler.

Seventy-three percent of the loans were granted to women and the projects include handicrafts, lodging, greengrocers, hardware stores and restaurants, with loans ranging from $1,000,000 to $3,000,000.

Juntos por Corral received 45 applications. "We are very satisfied with the response from our neighbors. Our will is to project this program into the future and this first experience will allow us to evaluate and continue improving," added Sprenger.

One of the beneficiaries of the Juntos por Corral program and social leader is Mónica González, who valued the alliance: "From the beginning it was proposed as a help and it was good that they talked to us, an interest-free loan is a great opportunity that we have never had in Corral. From the foundation they were always calling, giving us support, answering our doubts and that is appreciated".

Milton Contreras, owner of a hardware store in Corral, who was awarded funds, said, "I would like this program to be repeated. I know there are more people who could benefit later and it would be good for all of us to have the opportunity again. That is why I am committed to paying my dues. If the whole group is good and pays, the program can be repeated".