MEXICO CITY–(Marketwire – October 1, 2010) –  The ceremony of the Grupo Vidanta Foundation Prize: “Contributions to the Reduction of Inequality and Poverty in Latin America and the Caribbean” will be held on October 14, 2010 in the Auditorium of the National Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City. In addition to the Grupo Vidanta Foundation, also jointly involved are the Organization of American States (OAS) and the Ibero-American General Secretariat (SEGIB).

The Grupo Vidanta Foundation Prize: “Contributions to the Reduction of Inequality and Poverty in Latin America and the Caribbean” aims to provide recognition and support for outstanding projects carried out in Latin America and the Caribbean to reduce poverty and inequality while fighting discrimination.

The Grupo Vidanta Foundation Prize consists of a first prize of $100,000 US, a second prize of $75,000 US and a third prize of $50,000 US. All prize monies are contributed entirely by the Grupo Vidanta Foundation.

The Grupo Vidanta Foundation is pleased to announce the following winners of the 2010 Prize:

First Place: Fundación Mundo Mujer, Colombia (Women’s World Foundation)

Fundación Mundo Mujer has been a provider of credit for low-income women and men, micro-entrepreneurs for the informal sector of the economy and independent workers since 1985. It has 293,000 clients, 60% of which are women. Achievements include: profit increase by 45%; product quality raised by 80%; quality of life, nutrition and clothing improvement by 50%; and a 35% increase in housing quality. They have established alliances with important financial entities in Colombia and beyond, including the IADB, Deutsche Bank, and Morgan Stanley.

Second Place: Un Techo para Mi Pais, Chile (A Roof for My Country)

A social real estate management entity created in 1997 in Chile, Un Techo para Mi Pais was created to address the deplorable housing situation for the underserved population. Un Techo para Mi Pais has now extended beyond Chilean borders to 14 countries in the region, benefiting 43,000 families, developing strategic alliances with young college students (currently around 200,000), public institutions, as well as corporate entities that promote corporate social responsibility.

Third Place: Comunidades de la Tierra, Guatemala (Communities of the Earth)

Since 2004, Comunidades de la Tierra has been devoted to entrepreneurial development, incubation of rural businesses, promotion and creation of community groups (especially women) in low income communities to transform them into flourishing entrepreneurs with market access. Comunidades de la Tierra has supported 1,500 people and counts the government of The Netherlands as its supporter.

Runners-up include the following institutions:

CE-MUJER, Dominican Republic
Corporacion Vallenpaz, Colombia
Desarrollo Autogestionario, AC, Mexico
Programa de Voluntariado Internacional Juvenil, Costa Rica

“We were overwhelmed by the extraordinary number of responses received for this year’s prize,” says Mr. Roberto Russell, President of the Grupo Vidanta Foundation. “The high quality and thoughtfulness of each and every application received confirms the importance of our Prize as well as the motivation it promotes. On behalf of all involved we congratulate the winners, finalists and indeed all participants.”

A total of 261 candidates participated for the 2010 Prize. The Selection Committee was comprised of past and present distinguished members of state, as well as notable academics. These included Mr. Ernesto Zedillo, former President of Mexico; Mr. Cesar Gaviria, former Colombian President; Mr. Luis Maira, Chile’s ambassador to Argentina and Mexico; Mr. Carmelo Angulo, Spanish Ambassador to Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Mexico and former representative of the UNPD in Argentina; Mrs. Billie Miller, a current member of the Barbados Labour Party and former Foreign Minister.

The Selection Committee met at the Grand Luxxe Resort in Nuevo Vallarta, Nayarit, Mexico on the 11^th and 12^th of August 2010 and selected the winners as well as the finalist candidates.

The Grupo Vidanta Foundation Prize has the further aim of spreading awareness of often little-known efforts so that their contributions may be shared. The purposes include: developing greater knowledge and capability in the field; influencing decision-making on public policies; creating greater consciousness and motivating public opinion with regards to key poverty, inequality and discrimination related matters in Latin America and the Caribbean; fostering humanitarian values and solidarity among the population in general; and promoting corporate philanthropy and social responsibility.

About the Grupo Vidanta Foundation

The Grupo Vidanta Foundation is a non-profit institution whose primary aim is the promotion of social sciences and culture with a focus on Latin America to the benefit of all with a special interest in academia and policy-making. The Foundation began its activities in 2005 under the name of Grupo Mayan Foundation. As of May 1, 2008, it adopted its present name in order to better reflect the situation that today characterizes the numerous institutions comprising Grupo Vidanta. Learn more at www.fundaciongrupovidanta.com.

About Grupo Vidanta

Grupo Vidanta has evolved for more than 35 years into one of Mexico’s leading developers of hotels and resorts, golf courses, vacation ownership, and tourism infrastructure, including Mexico’s first privately built and owned international airport at Puerto Penasco. For American travelers, Grupo Vidanta offers a choice of full-service luxury beach resorts in Mexico’s finest beaches, under the Grand Luxxe, Ocean Breeze, Sea Garden, Mayan Palace and Grand Mayan brands. In the near future, new hospitality brands will include Bliss, Grand Bliss and Mansions of the World. Grupo Vidanta’s Mayan Island has built and sold over 2,000 second homes. For further information see www.grupovidanta.com.