Five initiatives led by women from Holguin are among the six national winners of a call for proposals by the World Food Programme (WFP) in Cuba. The selection was through the “Nutrivida” project. Which funds ventures aimed at strengthening local food systems.
The proposals—announced recently during events marking the International Day of Rural Women. Which is observed annually in the province, promote women’s empowerment and local development. Explained María Eugenia Escobar Pérez, the project coordinator for the provincial capital municipality.
Moreover the initiative is aimed at women and young people in the territories cover by the program. In which seeks to support food security and nutrition for pregnant women, nursing mothers, and children up to 12 years of age. The call for proposals focuses on fostering sustainable community-based initiatives, the coordinator added.
Participating municipalities include Mayari, Moa, and Holguin in the eastern region. As well as Santa Cruz del Norte, Bejucal, and San José de las Lajas in the province of Mayabeque. Submissions from these areas were evaluated based on their social impact, technical and financial viability. Contribution to social protection networks, gender perspective, and youth participation.
Escobar Pérez noted that the six winning proposals will receive technical support in budget development and feedback on their plans. Followed by the signing of funding agreements totaling approximately 15,000 USD. Mariam Pupo Rodríguez, a member of the “Pepito Tey” Credit and Services Cooperative (CCS), told the Cuban News Agency that her project aims to integrate unemployed women. Or those who face barriers to finding employment into the workforce. This will be achieved by establishing a small-scale processing facility for fruits, vegetables, and dairy products, utilizing locally grown crops.
The funding will allow for the acquisition of production machinery, which will help prepare food for children, pregnant women, and the elderly in the community. While also reducing crop waste and increasing the cooperative’s revenue.
Meanwhile, Lisandra Jiménez Cortina, a member of the “Desembarco del Granma” CCS in Mayari. She explained that she is participating in the initiative with a poultry operation focused on egg and chicken meat production. Her project, inspired by her family’s background in agriculture. It incorporates renewable energy and the local production of animal feed.
Securing this support represents an opportunity for empowerment and for improving the nutrition of vulnerable groups. By increasing their access to healthy food, Jiménez Cortina stated.
“Nutrivida” is sponsor by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) with funding from the Government of Canada. In Cuba, it is support by the Ministries of Public Health, Agriculture, and Education, as well as the National Institute of Hydraulic Resources.
With information from the Cuban News Agency
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