I am-art

According to WHO figures, the employment rate of men and women with disabilities (53% and 20%, respectively) is much lower than that of men and women without disabilities (65% and 30%). On the other hand, 231 million annual waste is generated in Latin America and the Caribbean, of which only 13.5% is recycled (Source: UN).

"I am-art" seeks to combat environmental pollution through the recycling and reuse of inorganic waste, to transform them, with Creative Art and Designs, and promoting the employment of people with disabilities, in new sustainable products to the market.

In this way, people with disabilities will be empowered so that they can be part of the economically active population.

According to the UN, 1000 million people suffer from some type of disability, of which only 30% of them find a job or employment; 700 million are unemployed. On the other hand, only 31 of the 231 million wastes generated annually in Latin America and the Caribbean are recycled.

Among the factors we found was the support of countries to comply with the 2030 agenda, through social programs aimed at people with disabilities. However, these programs do not end up being fully efficient.

A dynamic, strategic and collaborative work will be carried out between the entities that share the same purpose of social assistance and promotion of employment for people of different abilities or physical disabilities. So that the latter develop their own and family economic well-being.

By promoting entrepreneurship, sustainability and circular economy, people with disabilities will be empowered, greater sources of employment and income will be generated for a benefit not only social, but also environmental.

Thanks to Art and Creative Design, various materials considered inorganic wastes can be recycled. These range from rubber for the realization of personal furniture and accessories, to the recycling of plastic bottles for the manufacture of ecological fabrics, clothes and bags.

The processes range from the collection, disinfection, transformation and sale of products derived from recyclable material. The critical technology to be used are recycling machines: shredder and compression, for example.

Although it is true, reuse and recycling is not something relatively new (Since some companies already do it in Peru, Brazil or countries in Africa), it is still novel, since when merging with Art it generates a new concept . On the other hand, we must remember that innovation is presented in a disruptive or incremental way. In this way, "I am-art" differs from its competition, since it generates added value to the environmental impact through the labor inclusion of people with different abilities or physical disabilities: incremental innovation.

Because climate change is one of the most relevant issues, currently. As well as the indifference, underestimation and invisibility of people of different abilities or with physical disabilities.

By taking advantage of the latter's talent and, above all, contributing to a sustainable world, it generates added value that not only transforms ecosystems, but also societies.

We currently work with 15 people with disabilities, partially.

The goal for the first year, after having carried out cooperative work with the mentioned organizations, public and private, is to reach 200 people in Lima.

In 5 years, we will replicate the model in the help centers for people with disabilities in the country. Approximately 1700 people.

With the help of the IBD and this competition, we hope to triple the scalability of this project.

Consolidate and communicate the proposal between entities related to the personal and professional development of people of different abilities or with disabilities.

Taboos, indifference or lack of empathy, as well as the invisibility of the problem. By believing that people with disabilities are less than others, we limit their development potential in other areas, which damages them in terms of health, economy and education.

Give visibility to the potential and added value of people with different abilities or with physical disabilities. Through the use of their creative talents, capacities acquired by the different social workshops, as well as the environmental impact they generate.

We have two business models: B2C and B2B.

Modern and sophisticated lifestyles are found in the B2C. In Peru, these lifestyles are approximately 1 million people. At B2B, we target companies that work under a rustic, ecological concept or differentiate themselves from others by proposing a different experience to their users, with social impact.

We are only 3 people working in part time.

Our team is multidisciplinary. Each of the team members specializes in their subject and contributes with different ideas and perspectives, which improve the project.

We are a designer, a manager and a excecutive commercial. We have experience in our areas and we have strategic alliances.

Our key partners are:

- Usil Ventures: Business incubator

- Mega Plaza: Retail company

- Municipalidad de Lima: Economic Development Management

- OMAPED: Organization to help the disabled citizen.

We have two business models: B2C and B2B.

Modern and sophisticated lifestyles are found in the B2C. In Peru, these lifestyles are approximately 1 million people. At B2B, we target companies that work under a rustic, ecological concept or differentiate themselves from others by proposing a different experience to their users, with social impact.

To be financially sustainable, we started with raising non-reimbursable funds or crowfounding, since you need to start operations covering operating costs; however, the main source of income will be from the material sold.

As previously mentioned, we require an injection of seed capital to cover operating costs: training, payment to staff (people with disabilities), professional support, advertising, etc.

In addition to this, we seek through the TPrize Challenge, to expand our networking network and make the proposal visible to more people. We are convinced that more people will join this noble initiative.

Ministries responsible for promoting personal development and ensuring environmental well-being. Also, public or private organizations that share our mission.