Colombia
PRO.DO.C.S. has been collaborating for over ten years with the Fundación Salva Terra (FST), a non-profit organisation founded in 2010 to promote learning processes, skills development, and community participation in the field of sustainable urban-rural development. FST operates primarily in the rural areas surrounding the Metropolitan Area of Medellín and throughout the Department of Antioquia, supporting vulnerable communities in the development of models based on environmental protection, social responsibility, food security, and the promotion of human rights. The organisation’s approach is grounded in the promotion of agroecology as a means of strengthening territorial resilience, protecting biodiversity, and recognising the value of local knowledge, traditions, and practices.
Particular attention is given to educational and training processes, developed in close collaboration with schools, students, and their families. These initiatives complement traditional educational pathways with activities focused on environmental awareness, the restoration of green spaces, and the promotion of sustainable lifestyles and responsible use of natural resources.
Over the years, the partnership between PRO.DO.C.S. and FST has been strengthened through the implementation of projects focusing on sustainable rural development, food security, and the promotion of locally driven environmental policies. Since 2019, the partnership has been further consolidated through the Italian Universal Civil Service Programme, which has enabled the placement of two volunteers each year to support the Foundation’s activities. From 2026 onwards, four volunteers will be involved, with the aim of supporting not only FST’s operational activities but also the strengthening of its territorial networks and collaborations with educational institutions, local authorities, and civil society organisations.
The Foundation also plays a strategic role in territorial coordination through its participation in the Mesa de Seguridad Alimentaria y Nutricional del Oriente Antioqueño (MESANOR), a regional network involving 23 municipalities that works to promote food security, environmental protection, the recovery of native seeds, the enhancement of local agricultural production, the reduction of food waste, and the dissemination of circular economy practices.
Thanks to its strong territorial presence and its continuous dialogue with local and regional authorities, Fundación Salva Terra is today a strategic partner for PRO.DO.C.S. in the development of increasingly integrated, participatory, and sustainable models of international cooperation, with a long-term commitment to environmental protection, social inclusion, and community-led development.
