Promoter: Aproximar – Social Solidarity Cooperative
Territorial Reach: District of Leiria (Central Portugal)
Target Audience: Young prisoners
Duration: 3 years
SDG: 2. Zero Hunger, 10. Reduced Inequalities

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Project that aims at combining the creation of a work unit at the Leiria Prison – Youth, focused on the production of insects for animal and human food, with the creation and implementation of a holistic programme in the preparation and return to freedom of young people serving custodial sentences, assuming a clear promotion of more sustainable consumption patterns and raising awareness for changing eating habits, essential for environmental sustainability.

The production of crickets under this project reduces the ecological footprint in several ways: in the production process itself and in comparison, with other sources of protein available; in the food value chain – the value generated will be reinvested in the financing of social inclusion activities; the production process also fits into a circular economy process and the fact that it is related to the sustainable agricultural activity developed in Leiria Prison – Youth. The business model itself contains the empowerment of young people serving custodial sentences and includes the acquisition of new professional skills which, in many cases, will be the first ones, as well as the continuity of monitoring after release.

Sustainable Development Goals

This project contributes to the following SDG targets

Target 2.4

By 2030 ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production, that help maintain ecosystems, that strengthen capacity for adaptation to climate change, extreme weather, drought, flooding and other disasters, and that progressively improve land and soil quality.

Target 10.2

By 2030 empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.