World Day of Social Justice addresses global challenges such as poverty, exclusion, unemployment, gender inequality, and human rights. The 2026 theme for World Day of Social Justice, “Renewed Commitment to Social Development and Social Justice,” reaffirms our commitment to poverty eradication, full and productive employment and decent work for all, and social inclusion as the interrelated pillars of social development.
NESsT is committed to these pillars of social development. Since 1997, we have invested in the creation of over 160,000 dignified jobs for under-represented communities. In our most recent Dignified Employment Survey, workers at our portfolio companies reported fair wages almost twice the minimum wage. Our active portfolio consists of 146 small and medium-sized enterprises, made up of Indigenous communities in South America, Black entrepreneurs in Brazil, refugees and migrants in Central and Eastern Europe, and many more.
This World Day of Social Justice, we’re celebrating the achievements of our portfolio companies and the advancements they’ve made in strengthening their communities through dignified work for all.
AMITLI: Building Women’s Independence and Preserving Cultural Identity
In Vaupés in the Colombian Amazon, a region marked by poverty, lack of infrastructure, and the presence of armed groups, 29 Indigenous women are working together to sustain their families by sharing their rich culinary and cultural heritage.
Through the women-led association AMITLI, they produce home-grown fariña, a nutrient-rich flour made from bitter yuca, and sell traditional meals at local markets and fairs. As co-founder of AMITLI, Lida Medina explains: “We started out as seven women with one goal: to create employment opportunity.”
By coming together to sell food products they had originally sold individually, the members of AMITLI have reduced costs, standardized product quality and pricing, and expanded their reach – increasing their household incomes.
For Lida, the impact is also personal. When her 14-year-old daughter told her, “Mom, I want to be like you,” Lida knew she was making a difference. Today she travels, speaks for her community, and leads an association where women decide over their own time, work, and future.
4 Szpaki: Scaling Business While Staying True to Values
In Poland, natural cosmetics company 4 Szapki (4 Starlings in English) has made inclusion a part of its mission. Driven by a deep commitment to people and the planet, 4 Starlings has taken decisive steps to build a workplace rooted in equal treatment, mutual respect, and representation.
With four physical retail locations and an online store, 4 Szpaki has remained grounded in artisan tradition, ensuring affordable products made from high-quality ingredients for its robust following of customers.
The brand’s diverse team of over 55 employees includes women, youth, refugees, migrants, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and people with disabilities. Over 60% of the team are young people, many gaining their first professional experience with a strong onboarding process to support their development.
“Small and medium-sized enterprises, especially family-owned ones, are not only the backbone of the Polish economy – accounting for nearly half of GDP and employing over 60% of the private sector workforce – but also a space where diversity, equity, and inclusion can truly change the lives of people and local communities,” says Nadia Belkessam-Felska, NESsT Violet Fund Portfolio Manager.
VerdeNovo: Native Seeds, Strong Communities
Operating in the world's most biodiverse savanna, VerdeNovo was founded with a simple yet transformative goal: restoring Brazil’s native ecosystems while creating employment opportunities for the communities that protect them.
Working across five Black and Quilombola communities, the company trains local leaders in seed collection, processing, and traceability, ensuring both biodiversity recovery and fair local economies.
VerdeNovo builds trust-based partnerships with individual collectors, strengthens communities, generates income through fair-trade contracts, and believes that local businesses can and should emerge through a relationship based on regeneration.
Since 2022, VerdeNovo has supported more than 40 collectors – 85% of them Black women – to triple their household income. Each collector now earns a stable, fair income through formal contracts that pay approximately 50% of seed sales directly to suppliers.
Box Elyte: What Dignified Work and Belonging Look Like in the Workplace
In Romania, over 213,000 people have been affected by forced displacement, including refugees from Ukraine and migrants from across Asia (UNHCR).
Box Elyte, an eco-friendly packaging manufacturer in western Romania, is committed to providing dignified jobs for people impacted by migration or displacement. In addition to stable contracts and living wages, Box Elyte offers hands-on training to help employees grow professionally and thrive in their careers.
It has been almost four years since Liudmyla and Anatolii first arrived in Romania from Ukraine and found employment together with their daughter at Box Elyte. When asked what they value most about their jobs, they share:
“Box Elyte is like a family. Sure, people come and go, but its foundation remains strong. Here, we work alongside a team of people we trust, which is essential,” says Anatolii.
“From the moment we arrived, we were struck by the hospitality. The people here are so kind-hearted, and they showed such empathy toward us. It was touching how warmly they welcomed us,” adds Liudmyla.