Vidanta Foundation Honors Latin American Organizations Bringing Positive Change to Regional and Local Communities

The Vidanta Foundation, formed by Mr. Daniel Chávez Morán, Founder of Grupo Vidanta, as a non-profit institution dedicated to promoting the social sciences and democratic values in Latin America and the Caribbean, is pleased to announce the winners of the 2017 Vidanta Foundation Awards.

First prize of $100,000 was awarded to Cinco Panes y Dos Peces, a Mexican organization seeking to reduce risk and vulnerability to possible disasters, or medical and humanitarian emergencies in highly isolated and marginalized mountain communities in five states. Since its founding in 1992, the project has improved community response, livelihood and activation capacities in 657 communities, benefiting over 320,000 people since 2001. The recipients will use award funds to replicate the program in 10 new communities in Oaxaca.

Second prize of $75,000 was awarded to IDEAS Información y Diseños Educativos para Acciones Saludables  – Ch’ieltik-Fortaleciendo Jóvenes/ Ch’ieltik- Strengthening the Youth Project. The NGO, established in Chiapas in 2009, contributes to the development and welfare of indigenous youth through educational, cultural and artistic workshops and has benefited over 1,200 indigenous teenagers. The prize will go toward expanding the organization’s work to a micro-region in the Sierra Fronteriza area.

Third prize of $50,000 was awarded to Dignidad y Justicia en el Camino – FM4 Paso Libre. FM4 Paso Libre is a non-profit organization formed by an interdisciplinary group of university student volunteers to respond to the reality of migration in transit. The organization serves migrants, both Mexican or foreign, in transit through Guadalajara as they flee from violence in the “Northern Triangle” of Central America. The organization provides humanitarian assistance as well as medical and legal assistance and to date have helped over 30,200 refugees. The award will be used to create a contingency fund for emergency use.

The Vidanta Foundation, led by current President Dr. Roberto Russell, hosted a ceremony on October 23, 2017 to honor this year’s winners. Marking the 8^th edition of the Vidanta Foundation Award, the work of this year’s recipients revolved around the theme of “contributions to the reduction of poverty and inequality in Latin America and the Caribbean.”

“The purpose of the Award is to recognize and support outstanding, original projects carried out in Latin America and the Caribbean to reduce poverty and inequality and combat discrimination,” said Dr. Russell. “Our three winners this year have all worked tirelessly to develop greater knowledge and awareness in their respective fields, create positive impact on public policy decision-making, and promote action and positive change. The Vidanta Foundation is honored to recognize and support the pivotal work they do in the region.”

Eighty-nine candidates were evaluated for this year’s award, their work review by a panel of luminaries, activists, and leaders presided by former President of Uruguay, Julio María Sanguinetti. Candidates ranged from non-governmental organizations (NGOs), privately funded institutions and foundations, descendants and indigenous peoples associations, civil organizations and nonprofit organizations.

The Vidanta Foundation Award was created through a joint initiative of the Organization of American States (OAS), the Ibero-American General Secretariat (SEGIB) and Vidanta Foundation. All awards are financed in their entirety by the Vidanta Foundation.

The Vidanta Foundation was established in 2005 by Mexican philanthropist Daniel Chávez Morán, Founder of Grupo Vidanta. The non-profit organization focuses on the social sciences and democratic values within Latin America and the Caribbean, promoting greater consciousness of key issues impacting the region’s economic and social development. Under the guidance of current foundation president Roberto Russell, it seeks to foster humanitarian values and solidarity among the population in general, galvanizing public policy while also promoting corporate philanthropy and social responsibility. The Vidanta Foundation has worked with leading organizations in Latin America and around the world on initiatives to encourage growth and public understanding of key issues in the region, including partnerships with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), Latin American Council for International Relations, the Inter-American Dialogue, Colegio de México (COLMEX), Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Centro de Investigación y Docencia Económicas (CIDE) and more. Learn more about the Vidanta Foundation at www.fundacionvidanta.org.

Founded in 1974 by the tourism industry’s leading visionary, Daniel Chávez Morán, Grupo Vidanta is Mexico and Latin America’s preeminent full-service tourism developer, specializing in vacation destinations, luxury hotel brands, golf courses, real estate, tourism infrastructure and entertainment. The company’s visionary approach to the development of luxury beach destinations brings vacation dreams to life via private club membership-based entertainment and destination resorts on the coastlines of Mexico’s most sought-after locations—Nuevo Vallarta, Riviera Maya, Los Cabos, Acapulco, Puerto Peñasco, Puerto Vallarta and Mazatlán—with seven distinct brands including Grand Luxxe, The Grand Bliss, The Grand Mayan, The Bliss, Mayan Palace, Sea Garden and Ocean Breeze, with more in development.

From AAA Five Diamond award-winning hotels to an internationally recognized collection of golf courses, Grupo Vidanta continually pioneers innovative partnerships. Included in these groundbreaking collaborations are working with Cirque du Soleil to create JOYÀ, a first-of-its kind permanent theatrical and culinary experience in Riviera Maya; an exclusive long-term agreement with global hospitality company Hakkasan Group to debut new nightlife, day life and dining experiences starting with two restaurants, an exclusive bar and a day club in Los Cabos; and an ongoing relationship with Nicklaus Designs and Greg Norman Golf Course Design to develop spectacular pro golf courses within the different Vidanta destinations.

Grupo Vidanta’s real estate division has built and sold more than 2,000 luxury vacation homes and is responsible for developing Mexico’s first privately built and owned airport, Mar de Cortés International Airport, in Puerto Peñasco.

Frequently named among the “Best Companies to Work for in Mexico” and currently ranked as 4th place in the Great Place to Work® list for 2017, the organization maintains a strong commitment to its 15,000 employees, and surrounding communities, through its progressive mission dedicated to environmental and social efforts, including EarthCheck certifications and its long-established non-profit foundations, the Vidanta Foundation and the Delia Morán Vidanta Foundation. For more information, visit www.GrupoVidanta.com.