Patricia Assis on LinkedIn: #gemeente #nieuwegein #statushouders #werk #baan #utrecht #nederland… (2025)

Ant.Element | Sustaining One Another has a collaboration with Global Project and Change Management (GPCM) | Windesheim Honours College, where students support the development of Ant.Element’s long-term partnerships with other social organisations.In this context, last week I gave a presentation that brought me back to the beginning of this journey.In an engaging, emotional, and reflective presentation, I revisited my starting point.I shared my deepest motivation to give space and visibility to those unseen by society.I spoke about the importance of self-awareness on the path of a social entrepreneur.I shared the challenge of facing others' disbelief in one's convictions.I talked about vision, trials, errors, and self-analysis.This program was what I wished I had when I was their age— Project Management to Change the World (in my words).So, you can imagine - 40 people full of faith, energy, and enthusiasm to truly make a difference in the world.Is there anything more beautiful and inspiring than that?I saw myself in every question and comment. I was exactly like those students, with the same questions and restlessness.To those of us who welcome the young people into our companies, projects, and lives, we have a moral obligation to keep this flame alive so they can continue changing the world.I am all about knowing the deep truths of our complex reality - but if we don't keep hope for the future - who will continue fighting to change things?The word of my session for them was refreshing—a return to the beginning—where one day I had a dream and a desire to make others seen.I used to be embarrassed to say that was my greatest mission, as it was seen as naïve and "cute." Despite the disbelief, that feeling never left me.And that’s what I wished for them!That they continue on this path, desiring to make the world better, even when nobody believes it!

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Tomorrow is a significant day for Ant.Element | Sustaining One Another as we host the Dutch premiere of the documentary El Otro Río, produced by our partner WE CAN BE HEROES. After this breathtaking documentary (I have seen it already 😅) I’m thrilled to share the stage with other two panelists to explain the meaning behind our partnership with WE CAN BE HEROES.One of the brightest lights on this journey is Fiochi Herrera, whose strength inspires us every day. She, among countless social entrepreneurs, is the reason why Ant.Element exists. This documentary reflects the shared commitment of both organizations to stand together in protecting the Amazon rainforest.There’s still time to join us! Don’t miss out—sign up https://lnkd.in/euikc6PQ.#amazon #forest #forestry #sustainabledevelopmentgoals

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Six years ago, I met Fiochi Herrera in a café in Lima while on a world expedition seeking out nonprofits open to discussing their strategies and operating models. From the moment we met, Fiorella’s energy was undeniable—fast, dynamic, and brave. She’s a social entrepreneur, but first and foremost, she’s an activist, raising her voice to warn everyone we are facing severe biodiversity loss. After countless late-night discussions (to accommodate Peruvian time), we crafted a vision to work together. Our shared mission? To build a conservation center deep in the Amazon, in Iquitos, Peru. It’s a complex and challenging project—perhaps the most difficult I’ve been part. Last year, WE CAN BE HEROES was back in the jungle, but this time to document the challenges faced by the communities and the loss of biodiversity due to illegal deforestation, mining, and wildlife trafficking.It is a raw film, real stories, no bullshit. I’m excited to announce the Dutch premiere of this documentary on September 6th supported by TransitieCinema at their wonderful location in The Hague. I invite you to join us and discover the reality of our forests! I've shared all the details of the event below. #amazon #iquitos #peru #activist #activism #rionapo

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Coming up with ideas to tackle societal challenges is something I love doing and also part of my job, and sometimes they pop into my head like corn popping on the stove. The other day, I had one idea to fight loneliness within communities. There are so many people working from home, often having their meals behind the computer. Meanwhile, many older people are eating most of their meals alone (and often spending the day completely by themselves). This just doesn’t feel right.So, here’s my idea: What if there was a platform that connected work-from-home professionals with their older neighbors for lunch? 🥗 No need for anything fancy or complicated—just a simple way to walk over, share a meal, and enjoy some company before heading back to work.The goal? Combat loneliness and build stronger community ties and decrease the individuality feeling. It’s a win-win: We get a break from our screens, and they get some much-needed human connection.Does anyone know if there’s already something like this out there?I don't have much time to implement something like this on a larger scale, but I might start it on an individual level.Do you want to join? I'm also happy to help out with ideas if you want to roll it out.Let’s bring some warmth back into our workdays and brighten someone’s lunch hour! 🌞#RemoteWork #CommunityBuilding #Ideas #Innovation #Loneliness #socialimpact #communities #community

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This is cool! The @Global ImpactInvestingNetwork (GIIN)and the Financial Times produced a list of impact investing organizations including the Names of the Organizations, Impact Capital Under Management, Sectors Invested, and Impact Vehicles. This is an amazing initiative to start on the path to transparency and gain an overview of the impact investing landscape.I also urge you to read the article, as it provides relevant insights into the importance of measuring impact investing performance and the challenge of identifying the right benchmarks.In my opinion, organizations should begin measuring their performance even if the measurement frameworks are still unfinished. Having a starting point is crucial. Your indicators may not be ideal at first, but once you set them up, you'll quickly understand when it's time to improve them#impactinvesting #data #monitoring #measuring #funds #impactfunds #financialtimes

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Exciting improvements for the Social Enterprise Sector during the Olympics! The Olympics showcase Paris 2024’s active strategy to support social enterprises in accessing procurement contracts. This approach has resulted in 500 social and solidarity economy businesses securing 750 procurement contracts for the Games!🏅 Olympic souvenirs are made by a social enterprise that employs vulnerable women.🏅 The laundry for the 24,000 athletes in the Olympic village is managed by a consortium of social businesses employing people with disabilities.🏅 Seats are made from recycled materials.While focusing on the sustainability of supply chains (reducing negative environmental and social outcomes) is crucial, moving towards impact-driven supply chains is key to creating positive change. Sustainability is necessary, but we should not stop there.The next step is to intentionally generate positive outcomes, not just minimize negative ones.☘ Sustainable vs. Impact-Driven ProcurementSustainable procurement aims to minimize harm, such as by reducing waste, conserving resources, and ensuring fair labor practices. However, impact-driven procurement goes a step further by intentionally generating and measuring positive change—intention and measurement are key concepts here. For example, impact-driven procurement might involve partnering with social enterprises that employ marginalized groups, with clear metrics such as the number of jobs created for vulnerable women or people with disabilities.In environmental terms, impact-driven procurement could involve sourcing materials from suppliers that actively restore ecosystems. For instance, a company might choose to purchase paper products exclusively from a supplier that plants a tree for every ream sold, with measurable outcomes like the number of trees planted and acres of forest restored.The line between sustainability and impact may be thin, but it's important to keep discussing it, sharing examples, and listening to what others are doing. We should strive to improve every decision we make, whether through our spreadsheets or board meetings.#Sustainability #ImpactDriven #SocialEnterprise #Olympics2024 #impact #procurement

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Since the university times, I realized that people talked about various topics and used buzzwords without truly understanding their practical meanings. I was frustrated that the various media did not clarify the significance of what they were talking about, leaving people with superficial knowledge. The world is full of definitions and theoretical knowledge, but that must be the starting point and not the explanation of all.The reason I wanted to write about this topic is that I noticed the word "community" leaves people somehow confused. Especially for those who live in big cities, where people I know usually tell me “I don’t feel part of anything.”"...Agriculture, writing, and science are eloquent examples of achievements that were born from communal effort.If this is true, then it is in the essence of community that the transformative power of humanity resides. Community is a corner where ideas are crafted, a fertile field where progress is sown and reaped."#community #communitydevelopment #blog #socialentrepreuner #impact #socialimpact #sustainability

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