Harvesting Solutions

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Harvesting Solutions in Colombia links three processes (Recycling/Composting/Gardening) in order to address local priority needs such as nutritional quality,food demand, labor supply, economic autonomy, among others

Standings & Awards

190 out of 190 in Central & South America
94 out of 94 in Food & Nutrition
573 out of 573 in Pilot
1066 out of 1066 in Blended
4003 out of 4003 Overall

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VOTES

Mochuelo Family

Harvesting Solutions uses local resources for sustainable solutions on nutrition and economic alternatives.

Harvesting Solutions is a student led innovative project that takes place in the community of Mochuelo Bajo in Bogota, Colombia. The project began in 2011 at the request of the families in the community who wanted to get involved in the cultivation of food. Colombia's armed conflict has resulted in both voluntary and forced migration of families from the country's rural areas to urban centers such as Mochuelo. The result of this influx of new residents to the community has created a social clash between them and the settlers who have inhabited the area for years. This is compounded by the lack of opportunities for access to education, employment, health and recreation. For this reason, Harvesting Solutions looks to increase the sense of community for its residents while simultaneously working to establish food security in the community. Harvesting Solutions intends to reach the population through education and training activities that have the potential to become an ongoing collaborative activity with the goal of making Mochuelo sustainable.

Harvesting Solutions has 3 stages:

1. Recycling

2. Compost making

3. Gardening

The first and second stage both involve 8 to 9 workshops for children and adults that teach community members how to recycle and how to make compost derived from the solid wastes generated in their households. The workshops also explain what the benefits are for them, for the community and for the environment, as well as innovative business opportunities in these actions. Malnourishment is one of Mochuelo’s greatest problems and so stage 3 involves the construction of vertical and horizontal gardens (per family) made with recycled materials and compost of the earlier stages. This stage also includes 8 workshops that teach the basics of gardening construction, and healthy food habits. Each garden is able to generate basic food production for the family. The entire system consists of an exchange network between food harvested between one family and the other, creating variety of products as well as social integration. Currently in its pilot stage in Mochuelo Bajo, Harvesting Solutions hopes to expand to any community striving for sustainable development, understanding the special characteristics of each community and the local resources at hand.

Sponsors, Investors, and Supporters

FIVE PROJECT QUESTIONS Required (60 - 90 minutes)

1. What is your innovation?

Harvesting Solutions innovates by achieving that vulnerable communities get to be sustainable by the idea of reusing materials commonly found in the settlements, which represent high volumes of solid waste; using spaces for the development of composting and construction of gardens looking for efficiency independently of the geomorphological and climatic conditions; alternative markets between community members; and building of small enterprises by selling products derived from recycled material.

2. Who gains the most?

There will be individual, family, and community gains. Every individual interested in participating will acquire knowledge and capacities on recycling, compost making and gardening as well as better health and social interactions. Families will be able to reduce their food costs and improve their household, as well as increase their social integration. The community will gain a better environment, a more secure sorrounding and an increase in its autonomy. Overall, a better standard of living.

3. Who pays?

We are currently looking for project financing through international cooperation. We are volunteers of the NGO "Un Techo Para Mi País, Colombia", However, we handle our own expenses. We need financing for materials, human resources for the workshops of recycling, compost making and gardening, and for the expansion of the impact of our project into other communities. We have made contact with several interested institutions that are willing to assist in the workshops for free (Botanical Garden).

4. What is your success?

In 12 months there will be acquired knowledge on practices concerning recycling, compost making and garden construction, besides the Social awareness gained and the change of food and waste habits. The social impact results for 3 years will be a change in the community's environment, a decrease of children's malnutrition, and a higher level of social integration. In 5 years, Mochuelo Bajo will be a self financed sustainable community and Harvesting Solutions will expand on to other communities.

5. How will you do it?

We will achieve social impact success with a detailed chronogram and program, as well as constant indicators of evaluation in execution and implementation of the workshops (see implementation plan), the small enterprise initiatives, and the gardens (crop swapping market), constant feedback from the community, and by partnering up with some of the best institutions that teach urban agriculture such as the Botanical Garden of Bogotá; guaranteeing the highest quality of work.