South American youth entrepreneurship programs

In late July 2026, initiatives aimed at fostering youth entrepreneurship continued across the Andes. On 21 July, Peru’s Simón Bolívar school in Ayacucho hosted its first Feria de Emprendimiento Bolivariano, where students presented products created in technical workshops, while Argentina’s San Luis province sent IDEA 2025 winners to the Expo Rural de Palermo, highlighting regional support for student‑led innovation.

A week later, on 27 July, similar programmes reached their formal conclusion in Chile and Argentina. In Antofagasta, Chile, the AIEP institute and the regional Comité Corfo wrapped up a three‑month “Impulso a la Innovación Social” course, certifying 30 participants—most of them women—and reporting a rise in knowledge scores from 76 % to 96 %. In Santa Fe, Argentina, the Universidad Católica de Santa Fe completed its “Programa Impulso Emprendedor,” featuring a pitching competition and networking with local government and support organisations. Both closures underscore a coordinated effort in the region to strengthen entrepreneurial ecosystems through training, mentorship and institutional links.