In order to share innovative ideas when it comes to promoting the development of communities in each region of Argentina and helping them obtain financing for their projects, the Bank of Rural Community Projects.
This is an initiative promoted by the Rural Communities Network together with numerous allies and collaborators. It has been in operation for 16 years but due to the pandemic, it redirected its priorities to attend to the immediate needs of many Argentine populations that had been isolated during the movement restrictions.
The program, which calls for proposals and ideas from organizations and communities throughout the country, even if they do not have legal status, also articulates efforts with the Ministry of Social Development of the Nationvarious foundations and companies, who together with volunteers provide training and advice so that community-based organizations can apply for subsidies or other resources for initiatives.
“The Network has been operating for 16 years but it was transformed with the pandemic, when the needs in the most remote communities intensified. Perhaps the teachers wanted to send content or tasks and there was no internet or their students and families did not have a single device on which to receive them. In other areas, there was a lack of inputs, equipment and technical support”, summarizes the executive director of the entity, Patrick Sutton.
When explaining how the bank works, on the Internet they say that they collectively manage resources and provide support and training. For example, they organize workshops for communities and families in the most remote parts of the country. “We seek strengthen the capacities of rural community-based organizations and improve their access to resources, knowledge and other alliances”, explains Sutton and details that it is made up of “individuals, communities, social organizations, companies, cooperation agencies, technical and academic institutions, government agencies and other key actors for human development in rural contexts with high social and environmental vulnerability”.
The testimonies of some of the representatives of the more than 200 rural organizations, allies and collaborators They give an account of the changes that the program can generate in the lives of those who live far from urban centers. “It allowed us to maintain the harmonious lifestyle of the Andean communities and at the same time work with different institutions throughout the country and the world,” he summarized. indigenous leader René Calpanchay, co-creator of the Original Peoples Systema tourism venture that involves his community of Susques, Jujuy.
For her part, Nora Arredondo is a member of the Arañitas Hilanderas de Belén cooperative in Catamarca, which managed to install her ponchos in the fashion market and even sent one as a gift to Pope Francis. “The good thing about the bank is that it not only helps those who are established but also those who are just starting out. That is fundamental – says Arredondo – if we will know what it is to start from the bottom, which cost us twice as much for being women”.
“This initiative seeks to help the most distant communities, and we would very much like to enter to develop ourselves,” it is hoped the cacique Karai Tataendi, from Iguazú in Misiones.
From his work at INTA, Gabriela Faggi, the director of IPAF (Institute for the Promotion of Family Agriculture) of the Argentine Northwest also supports the bank. “From INTA we support all the initiatives that promote good living for families and a better environment. That is why I invite all the producers of the peasant population of Argentina who have confidence in the formation of organizations and present projects to the bank”, proposes.
From Piray, in Misiones, Miriam Samudio, from the Association of Independent Producers, highlights that his community shares the objectives of local development and care for the environment with the bank: “We joined the virtual workshops because they allow us to train and meet other organizations. But also because at the bank they allow us to co-design the programs and they listen to our voices”.
“It helps them to design the initiatives with us and set the course, on big issues or simple topics such as the forms being simple and easy to understand” – Sutton specifies. For this reason, the bank is already generating results: we held 36 workshops to set up projects, manage digital content, and strengthen and manage resources. But also we donated 30 computers to a university learning center in Mendoza, a generator set for an isolated community in the Puna and more than 70 cell phones and laptops to community leaders and communities in Salta, Formosa, Chaco, Santiago del Estero, Misiones, Río Negro, just to name a few of the many cases in which can access these types of essential resources for development.
“Before the end of the year there will be a call for projects that will receive subsidies of about 5 thousand dollars, possible thanks to the cooperation of the Inter-American Foundation and other organizations and individuals. We hope to obtain greater support to be able to multiply these projects where it is most urgent and necessary”, they promise from the Network, willing to reach every corner of the country with their help.
To participate and join the initiative invite to enter www.bancodeproyectos.org.ar Y www.ruralcommunities.org
