Bf International and Save the Children together for strategic projects in Africa

BF International Best Fields Best Food Limited, a subsidiary of BF Spa, the most important Italian agro-industrial group, and Save the Children Italia announce the signing of a framework agreement aimed at outlining the collaboration aimed at promoting the development of projects dedicated to local communities, based on principles shared by both entities, such as the right to education and food security.

The aim of the partnership is to share skills and resources for the development of local communities in some of the countries in which the Group operates, integrating the perspective of children's rights, central to Save the Children's approach, into BFuture Farms - an innovative, sustainable and inclusive model of replicable agro-industrial farm, developed by BF International. The aim is therefore to promote the well-being of local communities, guaranteeing training opportunities and job prospects for young generations.

"This agreement represents a significant step in the growth of our international project, where innovation, training and attention to the weakest are intertwined to generate a positive and lasting impact in the territories and communities affected by our interventions. In fact, we intend to create BFuture Farms, sites that are not only productive, but of human well-being, and to adopt all the best practices developed by BF Spa in these years of growth in Italy. This approach towards people and economies is the result of the awareness of the role of agriculture as a guarantor of good food for the future of the planet, with absolute respect for nature" - said Federico Vecchioni, CEO of BF Spa and BF International, who continued - "For us, the alliance with Save the Children means completing our approach, characterized by the absence of predatory elements, but which unites agriculture, education and development by investing in young people from childhood and in their families - who represent the linchpin of our initiatives - promoting their growth through education and concrete job opportunities."

“We strongly believe in strategic alliances, capable of bringing not only economic resources but also skills and innovative development models. With this approach in mind, we believe that the partnership with BF can generate virtuous circles of socio-economic growth for local populations, in particular for minors who find themselves in disadvantaged situations in more vulnerable countries. Thanks to this collaboration, it will be possible to invest in education, strengthening the role of local communities, but also to develop professional training, empowerment and job placement programs that can generate concrete opportunities for personal and community growth. Only by joining forces, drawing on the best skills in the sector and generating innovative partnerships is it possible to combat inequalities and it is in this direction that we intend to go with BF”, said Daniela Fatarella, General Director of Save the Children Italy.

Specifically, the partnership intends to design and implement projects for community development, education and professional training through joint programs that arise from the integration of Save the Children's experience with the technical know-how of BF Educational - a subsidiary of BF Spa engaged in the development of training and research projects in the agriculture and agribusiness sector - aimed at training adolescents and young people. On the community development front, the framework agreement includes the creation of awareness-raising programs on the crucial issues of climate change, crop diversification for food security, gender equality and equal access to resources. In the field of education, thanks to the support and direct intervention of the Organization, the focus will be on activities to promote reading, learning mathematics and the development of children's socio-emotional skills, as well as supporting teacher training and school management, with particular attention to pre-school and primary education for the most vulnerable children. In terms of professional training, the interventions that will be built will be aimed at promoting the development of personal skills to ensure that young people acquire the necessary abilities to choose job opportunities in the future. Basic level professional training courses will also be developed to improve the technical skills needed to enter the world of work, technical training for professionals in the sector and advanced training for students who wish to deepen their knowledge in the agritech sector.

The collaboration will also extend to the development of innovative financial models to support projects with high social impact.