Research Initiatives

This project builds capacity among small-scale food producers, home gardeners, youth and families in Norte de Cauca to regenerate and rebuild their community food system from the ground up through practices of agro-ecological techniques researched and taught by FUNDAEC. CRED and its collaborators are conducting community-based action research to monitor, evaluate, and document learning in the areas of community food systems, regenerative agro-ecological systems, and the implementation of a seed fund program.

This initiative engages 1,000 students participating in either FUNDAEC’s Preparation for Social Action program (PSA) or its Supporting Community Leaders program, and a group of public school teachers who are promoting initiatives in their communities to collectively plant over 10,000 trees. Beyond the tree planting itself, the project develops the necessary capabilities required for the protection of the environment and the production of healthy food. CRED’s work focuses here on collecting learning and evidence of change in the participants in their relationship with the environment and the community, as well as strengthening participants’research-action capacities.

This research is part of the University of Chicago’s Development Innovation Lab (DIL), which seeks to find innovative solutions in development economics. The project aims to estimate the impact of the SAT secondary education program (Sistema de Aprendizaje Tutorial) on students, tutors and rural communities,focusing on educational progress, agricultural productivity, leadership skills, social networks, and peace-building.