Regional training programs launched for small businesses and entrepreneurs

Various regional institutions are launching free training programs to support small businesses and professional development.

In Colombia, the Instituto para la Economía Social (IPES) has announced a series of free in-person workshops for August 2026. These courses target market vendors, informal sellers, and their families, focusing on food handling, bakery, labor orientation, and entrepreneurship. Specific sessions include food hygiene training in Engativá and bakery workshops in Barrios Unidos.

In Spain, the Diputación de Cáceres is offering a 55-hour online course titled ‘Specialist in marketing and online commercialization for SMEs in rural environments’. Running from late September to early October, the program is part of the 100Kairós initiative and is co-financed by the Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge. The training covers digital marketing, e-commerce, artificial intelligence, and social media to help rural small and medium-sized enterprises improve their digital presence.