Alejandro’s Story: Supporting Migrant Entrepreneurs to Accelerate Global Progress Towards the SDGs
Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible Relacionados y Objetivos del Pacto Mundial sobre Migración
Migrant entrepreneurs like Alejandro are revitalizing local economies to get us back on track to reach the SDGs. IOM Ecuador, with the support of IOM's Migration and Sustainable Development Unit, have told Alejandro's Story: Supporting Migrant Entrepreneurs to Accelerate Global Progress Towards the SDGs to highlight how migrants are supporting their communities to progress towards the SDGs. Artist, entrepreneur, father, neighbor, and migrant - Alejandro's pottery business Zabbres is thriving in Quito, Ecuador. With the support of IOM's "Strengthening Livelihoods Phase I and II" programme, Alejandro invested in tools for his workshop and has gained the skills he needed to build his business. He is waiting for the pandemic's restrictions to ease so that he can teach ceramics classes and showcase his products. Supporting migrant entrepreneurs to utilize their skills, establish businesses and work with members of their communities is one concrete way to get us back on track to achieving the SDGs. IOM Ecuador's project is one such inspiring SDG action that is being captured at this year's first ever SDG Moment during the 75th UN General Assembly. These actions are important now more than ever as our progress towards the SDGs is being threatened. For example, in Ecuador, COVID-19 has exacerbated the existing economic crisis. Since December 2019, unemployment in Ecuador skyrocketed from 3.8 per cent to 13.3 per cent in just six months. But Alejandro and migrants like him are trying to bring back some color and hope to the streets of Quito, so that we can “recover better” for more equal and sustainable communities. Read Alejandro’s story here and find out more about the SDG Moment 2020 here.