Grupo Nutresa’s New Social Projects Promote Education, Action Against Hunger, and Rural Development

• In April of this year, Grupo Nutresa announced a social investment of COP 150 billion for the next five years.
• This investment aims to improve the quality of life of Colombia’s most vulnerable communities.

Medellin, October 7th, 2024. As part of the COP 150 billion investment in social programs for the next five years presented last April, Grupo Nutresa – through its Foundation – announced the implementation of new projects focused on access to education, action against hunger, and the development of skills among young people in Colombia’s rural sector, as well as support for the national healthcare system.

Nutresa Scholarship Program – ICESI University

With an investment of COP 16 billion over the next five years, this program will enable 226 students from socioeconomic levels 1, 2, and 3 in Colombia to access quality higher education. In addition to expanding educational coverage – especially in the department of Valle del Cauca – the program aims to improve equality and inclusion in the country. In fact, at least 60% of this scholarship investment will be allocated to women.

Support for the National Healthcare System through Education and Capacity-Building in Public General Hospitals –Valle del Lili Foundation

This project will allocate COP 2 billion next year to medical specialization programs in Colombia and to contribute to Valle del Lili Foundation’s “Plan Padrino” Strategy. This strategy looks to contribute to equitable healthcare for vulnerable populations, ensuring timely and quality access, and promoting knowledge among healthcare teams.

Agricultural Chains Capacity-Building for Young People in the Rural Sector

With an investment of COP 1,05 billion for next year, this initiative seeks to transform and strengthen leadership capacities of 500 young people from the rural sector through training in key areas of the agricultural sector, and skill development in innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship. This program aims to foster the creation of sustainable business models that drive agricultural growth and contribute to rural development.

Support Action Against Hunger in Partnership with the Colombian Food Bank Association (ÁBACO)

COP 1,7 billion will be invested next year to strengthen the Reagro program across the Bogotá, Cali, and Villavicencio food banks, benefiting 75.000 people and ensuring that more families gain access to food.

Partnership with the UN World Food Programme

COP 2 billion will be allocated next year to help more than a thousand people facing food insecurity. The goal is to improve access to food and promote food security by means of the development of kitchen gardens that encourage self-consumption and food exchange. The project also includes support for entrepreneurial capacity-building within communities.

Carlos Ignacio Gallego P., President of Grupo Nutresa, commented on this new announcement: “These projects are a clear demonstration of Grupo Nutresa’s commitment to sustainable development and the progress of Colombia. We seek to transform lives, open new opportunities, and strengthen the most vulnerable regions, this time by focusing on education, healthcare, action against hunger, and the potential of young people to achieve our purpose of building a better world where development is for everyone.”

Key Data on the Announced Programs:

• Over 400 Nutresa Scholarships for higher education at top-choice universities over the next five years, targeting young people from socioeconomic levels 1, 2, and 3.
• 18 scholarships for medical sub-specializations granted through national and international universities. In addition, 12 public general hospitals in the Cauca department and the Pacific region will receive support, along with the provision of equipment for pediatric units in Antioquia.
• 500 young people from the Colombian rural sector trained in leadership and entrepreneurship in agri-food chains within a year.
• Over 150.000 people benefited via food banks in Medellín, Bogotá, Cali, and Villavicencio in one year.
• Over 1,000 people in Cauca and Bolívar benefited through food security programs in one year.