OREANDA-NEWS. The Alstom Foundation will support 18 new projects worldwide this year. Among them, 50% are in Latin America, in countries as Argentina, Ecuador, Mexico, Panama, Peru and Venezuela.

Argentina

Rainfall harvesting/Solar energy, Rivadavia: 

The goal of the project is to make provision of rainwater and solar energy systems for 4 schools and 2 communities. 15 to 20 families with around 400 people will be overall beneficiaries. The project will install sewer and drainage systems on ceilings and will promote the adaptation of roofs for rainwater harvesting. Five sets of solar energy systems will be put into operation in selected schools and families. Some of the electricity produced will be used to raise water from existent wells thereby avoiding the use of fossil-fuelled engines

Ecuador

Inundaule Project:

The proposal of the project is to initiate a flood risk management plan to help small rice producers. 250 rice-producing families will be supported to enhance their income by using a sustainable agro-ecological model. 250 agro-ecological kits will be distributed and special trainers will help the ecological transition. Construction of a farmer’s resilient system through studying best practices and strategies for implementation by the state will be other action.

Mexico

Mayan women for Sustainable Future:

The project is for the cultivation of Melipona bees by women in poor rural communities to preserve the ecosystem balance of the Central American jungle. The production of Melipona honey will support local livelihoods as the honey has healing properties. The project promotes sustainable use of natural resources and project management done by local women placing them as the main actors for their own success.

Solar Energy, Water and Biomass to Improve Lives:

The project will make possible the installation of solar cells to provide 20 families with a minimum amount of energy per day. Installation of rain water harvesting cisterns and training the beneficiaries in their maintenance is also part of the project. Training families to construct and use wood saving “pastari” stoves, which reduce the amount of CO2 expelled and the construction of dry composting toilettes, so that organic material can be transformed into fertilizer to improve eroded land, are part of the initiative too.

Sustainable Coffee Agroforestry:

400 coffee farmers will be engaged in reforestation efforts to have more sustainable coffee production. Coffee farmers will be familiarised with land/soil management techniques. Reforestation of degraded pastureland will take place through the reintroduction of native tree species. 45,000 trees will be planted. The implementation of a carbon monitoring and verification system (MRV) are also part of the project.

Panama

Renewing Panama’s Education:

Alstom Panama plans to align with the “El Reino de los Paises Bajos” school to provide sanitary services, rehabilitation of classrooms and other general facilities. The project will impact around 700 families/ 1200 students directly. Students and staff will receive comprehensive education so that all improvements made are sustainable in the long term. The project location being close to an Alstom project site, there is an opportunity for Alstom employees to volunteer.

Peru

Sustainable Development of INICUDE’s school :

The main goal of the project is to help a school founded by the NGO INICUDE to switch to renewable energy through the installation of solar panels. Construct a pedagogical greenhouse to enhance the quality of nutrition among children, promote ecological activities and enhance food security will also be managed. Conduct training and awareness programs to ensure proper maintenance of the greenhouse and the solar panels are also in the plans.

Mano a Mano Project:

Construction of 2 green spaces (parks) at the centre of communal life in Los Jazmines. Construction work of these parks will be performed by a group of women from the local community. These women will receive technical training, social psychological support and salary, food and building material for their own houses. The local families will be able to produce vegetables in these parks to improve their daily diet and it will also be a common space of interaction. 

Venezuela

Sustainable Agricultural Production Centre:

The aim of the project is to refurbish and design a sustainable agro productive centre to provide food for 180 school children. It is also planned to install solar panels to facilitate a shift to cleaner energy and minimize pollution, and to recover water leakage of an existing turbine and modernize the distribution system to improve energy supply conditions for the local community. Young people will be trained to work within the community without harming the local natural resources.

Established in 2007, with a budget of €1 million per year, the Alstom Foundation supports and funds projects proposed by Alstom’s employees who decide to team up with local partners and not-for-profit organizations to carry out initiatives aimed at improving living conditions in communities located near the Group’s facilities and project sites around the world.  The categories of the projects initially were: Economic and Social Development, Access to Energy and Water and Environmental Protection. With Alstom refocused on transport since November 2015, the Foundation established an additional category: Access to Mobility.

Alstom is present in Latin America for more than 60 years and employs around 2,800 people. The company is involved in the main transport projects of the region as the metro lines of S?o Paulo, Lima, Panam? and M?xico city, as well the VLT Carioca, tramway system in Rio de Janeiro, to have a first phase ready for the 2016 Olympic Games.