Dear Partners,
In view of all the new challenges imposed by the coronavirus in 2020, several sectors are questioning their ways of acting and how they can contribute with actions that can reduce negative impacts that the pandemic is causing in our society in the medium and long-term; which further enhanced the enormous social inequality that already exists in our country.
It is estimated that around eight million Brazilians are without work at present, which makes it necessary for us to look at challenges and think of solutions that can help reduce social problems.
Agribusiness contributes almost 25% to the Brazilian GDP, according to the Ministry of Agriculture. The grains produced here alone feed circa 1.2 billion people worldwide, according to Embrapa. It is a sector that plays an important role, contributing to food security, not only for Brazilians, but also for populations from other countries.
But how can we ensure that in the face of an unpredictable post-pandemic scenario, agribusiness contributes even more to the local development of the regions where it concentrates its activities, so that the local supply network of goods and services can remain active, reducing the impacts of COVID-19 with those most vulnerable?
The André and Lucia Maggi Foundation, responsible for managing AMAGGI’s Private Social Investment, one of the largest companies in Brazilian agribusiness, has been contributing to this scenario in regions where the company operates, thus remaining firm in its mission, to contribute to local and human development.
This movement started in March, when we created the fund “One for All and All Against COVID-19”. From that, we approached organizations, social initiatives and institutional partners that were essential in supporting us.
Thus, we decided to reorganize our planning and operations for 2020 and, consequently, for 2021. We need to presently think and act, meeting the basic needs of vulnerable publics, in partnership with grassroots organizations and social initiatives.
In the second half of this year, we will continue to focus our activities following this redesign, mainly in the states of Amazonas, Mato Grosso and Rondônia, dividing efforts on 3 fronts:
1- Emergency Incentive: we will encourage organizations and social initiatives that are directly acting on the front line with vulnerable publics affected by COVID-19, focusing on the areas of health, education or social protection;
2- Focus on the locality: we will start a work of local mapping in order to strengthen inclusive business networks, promoting actions in partnership;
3 – The Foundation’s 2020 portfolio (before the pandemic): we will proceed with the projects planned for this year, taking into account the current scenario and within what is possible to accomplish;
We understand that supporting leaders, movements and social initiatives to contribute to reducing the impacts of the pandemic is a way of strengthening the social role that exists in communities.
We will continue to act with the purpose of contributing to local and human development, supporting the people and communities that most need assistance at this moment, and we are sure that together we will go through this phase and become even more strong as citizens and as a society.
I invite you to participate with us!
Belisa Souza Maggi
President of the André and Lucia Maggi Foundation
