AMPLE Empowers Over 80 Vulnerable Individuals Through Agrifood Training and Mentoring in 2024
Madrid, November 18th, 2024 —AMPLE, the EIT Food’s social initiative supported by Citi Foundation, has closed its 2024 chapter, marking a year of impactful training and mentorship that empowered over 80 individuals from vulnerable communities.
The final session, held at Finca del Pozo, celebrated this success with a focus on Barrios Productores, a groundbreaking programme that transforms underused urban spaces into hubs of agricultural productivity and entrepreneurship. Find more information here: https://barriosproductores.madrid.es/
This closing session was part of the Regenerative Agriculture and Urban Gardening course, organised by the cooperative Germinando. It served as a fitting conclusion to a year that demonstrated how practical skills, knowledge, and community support can address food insecurity while opening pathways to employment and innovation.
A Year of Empowerment and Opportunity
At its core, AMPLE’s mission is to improve lives through education and mentoring, equipping individuals with the tools they need to thrive in the agrifood sector. By building partnerships with leading organisations such as Action Against Hunger, Entreculturas, and Germinando, AMPLE provided holistic training programmes designed to meet diverse needs:
- Cooking and Food Handling with Entreculturas: Participants gained essential culinary and food safety skills, opening pathways to employment in the food industry.
- Agrifood Entrepreneurship organised by Action Against Hunger: This program fostered innovation and business development for participants with entrepreneurial aspirations.
- Regenerative Agriculture and Urban Gardening with Germinando: Training emphasised sustainable farming practices, self-consumption, and reconnecting with nature.
By combining these specialised courses, AMPLE addressed key aspects of food security while nurturing a connection to the environment and community.
Collaboration: The Heart of AMPLE’s Success
A hallmark of AMPLE’s 2024 edition was its collaborative approach. The programme drew on the expertise of partners like Citi Volunteers, who provided mentorship, and renowned professionals such as Ana Victoria Espinosa de Pozo, a nutritionist, and Maria Herrero, a food consultant.
These collaborations ensured that participants not only gained technical skills but also connected with industry stakeholders, creating opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship. We dive deeper into partnerships and how they create opportunities for vulnerable communities, particularly in the agrifood sector, in the Voces por una Causa podcast by Entreculturas. Tune in to the full episode on their website!
A Holistic Approach to Food Security and Sustainability
AMPLE went beyond conventional training to create a transformative experience for participants. The program emphasised:
- Practical skills: Cooking, food handling, sustainable farming, and self-consumption.
- Personal growth: Fostering confidence and independence through hands-on learning.
- Community building: Strengthening connections to nature, peers, and local ecosystems.
- Entrepreneurial support: Guiding participants in developing business ideas and connecting them with resources to bring these ideas to life.
A Brighter Future
As AMPLE concludes a successful 2024, its impact on participants’ lives serves as a testament to the power of education, mentorship, and community collaboration. From gaining essential life skills to launching agrifood ventures, participants now have the tools to build a brighter, more sustainable future for themselves and their communities.
Looking ahead, AMPLE remains committed to expanding opportunities for vulnerable populations, ensuring that no one is left behind in the journey toward food security and sustainability.
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