Corali: CIPE’s Women’s Business Resource Center in Guatemala
Women's Economic Empowerment
CIPE’s focus on democratic governance and free-market reforms have never been more important.
CIPE’s work in Latin America and the Caribbean focuses on advancing private sector solutions to address local challenges through democratic governance and free-market principles. We help build resilient and inclusive economies where individuals can thrive and participate in the democratic process, including underrepresented groups such as women and youth.
By partnering with local organizations and thought leaders, we bring together business associations, governments, think tanks and other civil society organizations to engage in meaningful public policy reforms, creating a more enabling environment for the private sector and democracy to flourish. CIPE’s regional focus areas include:
- women’s economic empowerment
- business association strengthening
- supporting the development and success of entrepreneurs in creative industries (orange economy)
- finding solutions to corrosive capital (international financing from countries lacking transparency, accountability, and market orientation)
- combating corruption and training entrepreneurs in transparent processes for public procurement
- strengthening the private sector in regions affected by poverty and violence,
- promoting the digital economy for SMEs and identifying a regional approach to digital governance
As many countries face major political and economic changes or other threats, CIPE remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting local and regional actors. CIPE currently has programs in 15 countries across the region with more than 40 local partners, as well as an extensive network of previous partners and colleagues. These relationships enable operations in countries where democracy and free markets are most at risk or civil society space is more closed.
Martin A. Friedl, Director, Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC)
Martin Antonio Friedl is the Director for Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) at CIPE. In this role, he oversees a team managing entrepreneurship, women’s economic empowerment, digital governance, anticorruption, and democratic governance projects in 15 countries in the region. He has over 19 years of experience managing economic development, democracy, and rule of law programs in Latin America. Mr. Friedl is a frequent speaker on entrepreneurship, business advocacy and economic empowerment issues in the region
