Project Aiming at Food Security and Climate Change Mitigation to Benefit 5,000 People in Maranhão, the Poorest State of Brazil

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Contact:
Gisele Araujo
GAraujo@ChildFund.org
Phone: +55 31 9 7530 6905

Project Aiming at Food Security and Climate Change Mitigation to Benefit 5,000 People in Maranhão, the Poorest State of Brazil

[Belo Horizonte, Brazil – November 12, 2924] With the goal of strengthening food security and mitigating the impacts of climate change, ChildFund Brasil, in partnership with ADM, a leading company in grain trading, human and animal nutrition, launched the Environmental Partner Communities project in six municipal schools in Balsas and Porto Franco, Maranhão.

The initiative, aimed at vulnerable communities, seeks to engage children, adolescents, teachers and families in educational actions on climate change and disaster risk prevention, as well as improvements in the school environment. With support from agronomy and architecture professionals, planned activities include the creation of large gardens and the construction of green areas in schools, contributing to temperature reduction and the quality of school meals. Additionally, playful materials and booklets will be developed to work on environmental education, helping teachers address the topic in a way that involves children and adolescents. Lasting 24 months, the project aims to directly reach about 5,000 people, promoting a healthier and more sustainable school environment.

“This initiative strengthens the core business of organizations and creates shared value,” says Maurício Cunha, Country Director of ChildFund Brasil. “Environmental education and social development must go hand in hand. This is the kind of partnership with companies that ChildFund Brasil wants to nurture, because when social organizations and the corporate sector work together in their integrated ESG policies, they collaborate for a better society.” ChildFund has been promoting and defending the rights of children and adolescents in Brazil for 58 years.

For Paloma Carrilli, Sustainability Manager at ADM in Brazil, the partnership with ChildFund aligns with the company’s goal of meeting global needs to conserve natural resources and support communities where ADM operates, such as Balsas and Porto Franco. “Through our corporate social investment program, ADM Cares, we seek to sustain and strengthen our commitment to the communities where we are present,” she says. “Our focus is to promote a positive social impact and build a more sustainable future for all.” The project has already been presented to the schools, and one school director, Ruth Martins Coelho, declared it an excellent opportunity for students to share the products grown in the garden. “In addition to these vegetables being provided to students daily, they will be able to take this experience home and share it with the whole family,” she says.

Maranhão was chosen for the project’s development due to its importance in the country’s agriculture, as well as its vulnerability to climate change and food insecurity, which directly affect children and their families. The choice is also aligned with ADM’s local operations, which are committed to working in an integrated manner with the public sector and civil society through partner institutions and contributing to strengthening resilience in communities.

The Environmental Partner Communities project was officially launched on October 1, with directors, coordinators, teachers, parents and guardians of students from the participating schools, as well as representatives from municipalities, municipal education departments, companies and institutional partners. A Memorandum of Understanding was also signed between ChildFund Brasil and the municipalities, formalizing the partnership for the project’s implementation in the two cities. For more information, visit www.childfundbrasil.org.br.

About ChildFund Brasil

ChildFund Brasil is an organization that works on the integral development, promotion and defense of the rights of children, adolescents and young people, creating futures with more opportunities so that their rights are respected and they reach their potential. Founded in Brazil in 1966, its national headquarters is located in Belo Horizonte (MG). The organization is part of an international network associated with ChildFund International, present in 23 countries and generating a positive impact on the lives of 14.8 million children and their families. It is among the 25 best organizations in Brazil, according to the ranking issued by The Dot Good, and was elected the best social assistance NGO in Brazil in 2022 and the best for Children and Adolescents in the country for three years (2018, 2019, and 2021) by the Best NGOs Award.

About ADM

ADM is a global manager and processor of agricultural supply chains, ensuring food security by connecting local needs with global capabilities. It is a leading provider of human and animal nutrition, offering one of the industry’s broadest portfolios of ingredients and natural solutions. We are pioneers in health and wellness, with an industry-leading product line for consumers seeking new ways to live healthier lives. We are cutting-edge innovators, leading the way to a future of new solutions for consumers and industry. And we are leaders in sustainability, acting throughout the value chain to help decarbonize the multiple industries we serve. Around the world, our innovation and expertise are meeting critical needs, nurturing quality of life, and supporting a healthier planet. Learn more at www.adm.com.