Brasilia, September 5, 2023 – For the third year, initiatives developed within the framework of the Brazil-FAO International Cooperation Program were highlighted at the FAO Transforma fair, promoted by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) to showcase inspiring projects that have been carried out in recent years and could be replicated and/or scaled to other areas of Latin America and the Caribbean.

In this third edition, held on September 3 and 4, two initiatives among the 10 selected were presented: the Diploma in Food and Nutritional Education, linked to school feeding programs, and the Lazos App. FAO Transforma received more than 25 applications considered innovative, scalable, and representative of different countries in the region, with support from various partner organizations.

School Feeding

The diploma was promoted by the Brazil-FAO International Cooperation’s school feeding project and FAO Campus in 2019, strengthening the capacities of 167 professionals from El Salvador, Honduras, Peru, and the Dominican Republic. The objective was to raise awareness among participants about the importance of school feeding programs (PAE) and train them to develop food and nutritional education (FNE) actions adapted to the specific contexts of each program.

This project is carried out jointly by the Brazilian Cooperation Agency of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (ABC/MRE), the National Fund for Educational Development of the Ministry of Education (FNDE/MEC), and the FAO.

Miriam Oliveira, a project assistant, highlighted that one of the lessons learned from the diploma was that training professionals at various governmental levels and other stakeholders involved in school feeding has strengthened the sustainability of these programs, especially regarding the concept of the human right to adequate school feeding. “Through the diploma and other training sessions, a network of actors has been created that understands the importance of ensuring healthy and adequate school feeding for students in the region, beyond just providing food,” she commented.

Paola Barbieri, a project analyst at ABC/MRE, highlighted the positive impacts of the diploma, such as its influence in improving the school food environment through awareness activities and the implementation of school gardens. “The diploma has produced significant results for cooperation and has served as a reference for the Sustainable School Feeding Network (RAES) and the training of tutors in the region,” she said.

Digitalization

The second highlighted initiative was the Lazos App, promoted within the framework of the +Cotton project, jointly executed by ABC/MRE, FAO, and Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, and Peru. Lazos App is a digital platform aimed at connecting the Latin American cotton chain, sharing experiences, and promoting a space for exchange, growth, and joint development of the sector. Those interested in connecting with members of the cotton chain in Latin America can download the free app, available for Android and iOS.

According to Fernanda Scherer, content manager for digital platforms of the +Cotton project, the app currently has more than 700 users, including farmers, artisans, technicians, extension workers, and researchers from over seven Latin American countries. "Lazos is a space to share the knowledge generated by the +Cotton project, and it’s also a space for listening, dialogue, and bringing various actors closer together. Lazos builds bridges," she said.

João Clementino, project analyst at ABC/MRE, emphasized that Lazos' main feature is digital inclusion, breaking the isolation of individuals involved in the cotton production chain – especially small producers with limited internet access. “It is a collaborative network to promote dialogue between all those involved in the cotton production chain in our region. The cooperation through the +Cotton project is committed to building and expanding networks,” Clementino stated.