Contributing to sustainable production and consumption in the agri-food sector

Introduction

This initiative is a Triangular Cooperation effort, developed with the support of the ADELANTE Window, aimed at promoting sustainability in Bolivia’s agri-food sector.

The Chamber of Industry, Commerce, Services, and Tourism of Santa Cruz (CAINCO) brings its expertise in integrating the recycling chain and supporting start-ups in the circular economy, facilitating the incorporation of sustainable initiatives within Bolivia’s agri-food sector.

Additionally, the initiative benefits from:

• The Bogotá Chamber of Commerce (CCB), which contributes its extensive experience in developing sectoral clusters, with a focus on food safety, packaging, collaboration, and innovation in the region.
• The Chamber of Commerce of Turin (CCT), which provides expertise in promoting sustainable economic models, aligned with the European Green Deal strategy.

Objectives

This Triangular Cooperation Initiative aimed to share the knowledge of the Partnership entities to promote institutional capacity building in the development of strategic plans for agri-food production and consumption under the circular economy model, with a holistic vision of the life cycle of food products and a focus on the green economy.

Project activities

This initiative was structured around five key activities, taking a comprehensive approach to foster knowledge sharing, capacity building, and collaboration opportunities. The work was coordinated through three study visits, a specialised consultancy, and a final seminar.

Key activities included:

• Capacity building: training professionals and researchers from the University of Pinar del Río (Cuba) and FEDOMU (Dominican Republic) in business incubation methodologies.
• Model implementation: adapting and applying a comprehensive methodology for developing sustainable social economy enterprises, originally from Mexico, refined with European expertise to fit the Cuban and Dominican contexts.
• Policy development: leveraging shared knowledge to develop roadmaps aimed at shaping public policies for local economic development, with strong emphasis on women and youth entrepreneurship.
• Research collaboration: facilitating knowledge exchange among Partnership entities to co-create management models aligned with cooperative values and people-centred approaches.
• Community engagement: addressing social and cultural factors influencing entrepreneurship to foster a supportive ecosystem for women and youth-led businesses.

Results

A central element of this initiative is the development of a white paper, which will compile best practices, methodologies, and know-how shared by each Chamber of Commerce. This document will serve as a strategic tool for:

• Implementing sustainable production and consumption strategies in the agri-food sectors of the participating countries.
• Strengthening public-private sector cooperation.
• Facilitating dialogue between institutions and businesses.
• Developing targeted programs on the circular economy, particularly within institutional and business frameworks.

Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This initiative directly supports Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12, specifically by:

• Promoting the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.
• Reducing food waste.
• Significantly minimising waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling, and reuse.

By fostering collaboration, innovation, and sustainability, this initiative seeks to drive long-term positive change in the agri-food sector across Bolivia and beyond.

Implementing partner

Chamber of Industry, Commerce, Services and Tourism of Santa Cruz (CAINCO)