Laboratory of Social Entrepreneurship

💛 Millions of male chicks are killed every year simply because they cannot lay eggs. In the egg industry, male chicks from egg-laying breeds are systematically killed shortly after hatching because they are not economically viable for egg production or meat. This practice — known as chick culling — results in the death of millions of animals each year and causes significant animal welfare concerns.  In Chile alone, an estimated 11.8 million male chicks are killed annually , usually through maceration or CO₂ exposure immediately after birth. Because approximately half of all chicks hatched are male, the problem is structurally embedded in egg production systems. Without intervention, the number of affected animals is expected to continue increasing as egg production grows.  Despite the scale of the issue, regulatory frameworks in many countries still allow this practice, and alternatives are not widely adopted. This program addresses the problem by accelerating the transition to technologies that identify the sex of chicks before they hatch , preventing the birth — and subsequent killing — of male chicks.  👥 Who Will Benefit Primary beneficiaries Male chicks from egg-laying breeds that would otherwise be killed at birth Chick embryos in industrial hatcheries Animals in the egg supply chain affected by hatchery practices Secondary beneficiaries Egg producers and hatcheries adopting higher animal welfare standards Retailers seeking ethically sourced products Consumers concerned about animal welfare Animal welfare systems and regulatory frameworks In Chile Access to humane alternatives in hatchery practices is extremely limited. There is no specific national prohibition on male chick culling . Public information on hatchery practices is scarce. Adoption of technological alternatives remains minimal or nonexistent.  At the same time, egg production continues to grow, reinforcing the scale of the problem. This creates an urgent opportunity to introduce technologies and market incentives that prevent the killing of male chicks before it occurs.  📊 Metrics Donors Can Understand Evidence-backed outcomes: Participants showed: Potential reduction in the number of male chicks killed at hatcheries Corporate commitments from producers and retailers to adopt humane technologies Expansion of in-ovo sexing technology , which identifies the sex of embryos before hatching Increased availability of eggs produced without chick culling A key impact metric used by the program is: Potential Male Chicks Saved  — the estimated number of chicks that are never born into systems where they would be killed because sex determination occurs earlier in the incubation process. 🌍 Why This Matters Supporting this intervention can help prevent the suffering and premature death of millions of animals each year. By catalyzing corporate commitments and accelerating the adoption of proven technologies such as in-ovo sexing , this program aims to transform how the egg industry operates. Evidence from international markets shows that technological adoption and corporate commitments can drive rapid structural change. Helping scale this transition offers a practical and cost-effective pathway to significantly improve animal welfare across the food system.

💛 Millions of migrants in Europe work far below their potential, trapped in precarious jobs despite having education and experience. In Spain, Latin American migrants face structural barriers that limit their access to stable and dignified employment. These barriers include slow and complex credential recognition processes, discrimination in hiring, lack of professional networks, and difficulties proving work experience obtained in their countries of origin. As a result, many migrants with medium or higher education end up working in low-skill or informal jobs characterized by instability and limited opportunities for career progression. This problem is significant. Migrant workers in Spain face a 29% wage gap relative to native-born workers, while more than half of those holding higher education credentials are employed in positions below their qualification level. These dynamics create fragmented career paths, economic vulnerability, and negative effects on wellbeing and mental health. This program seeks to address these barriers through an intensive labor market integration model that combines training, real workplace experience, and personalized support to facilitate access to formal and sustainable employment. 👥 Who Will Benefit Primary beneficiaries Latin American migrants living in Spain, particularly: Adults of working age Migrants facing barriers to access formal employment Migrants experiencing underemployment or working below their qualification level Individuals facing difficulties in recognizing foreign degrees or professional experience Migrant women, who are disproportionately concentrated in low-paid sectors such as domestic work and basic services Secondary beneficiaries Families of program participants who depend on stable income Employers who need workers but face uncertainty when hiring migrants Local communities that benefit from stronger social integration Public systems that benefit from higher employment and economic participation In Spain (particularly Catalonia) Spain has experienced strong population growth driven largely by immigration. In Catalonia, approximately 19% of the population is foreign-born, making migrant labor integration a structural economic and social challenge. Despite migrants’ contribution to economic growth, several barriers persist: Long and costly credential recognition processes for foreign degrees Limited availability of public language training programs Employer uncertainty regarding foreign work experience Dependence on informal networks that often confine migrants to precarious sectors These structural barriers perpetuate labor market segmentation and limit the social mobility of migrant populations. 📊 Metrics Donors Can Understand Evidence-based outcomes: A similar early labor market integration program evaluated through rigorous research demonstrated promising results. Participants showed: Double the probability of employment compared to standard services An increase of approximately 15 percentage points in employment rates Higher participation in language training programs Improved transitions into the labor market through supervised work placements Evidence suggests that combining intensive training, real workplace experience, and active job placement support can significantly improve employment outcomes for migrant populations. 🌍 Why This Matters Migration is one of the main drivers of demographic and economic growth across Europe. Yet when migrant talent remains trapped in precarious employment, both individuals and economies lose valuable potential. Evidence-based labor integration programs can transform this dynamic by connecting underemployed talent with productive sectors of the economy, reducing labor precarity, and strengthening social cohesion. Supporting interventions like this means unlocking the full potential of migrant communities while contributing to more inclusive and resilient labor markets.