Global Communities and John Deere Foundation Expand Partnership in South America

Sowing Futures in Brazil and Argentina: Global Communities and John Deere Foundation Expand Partnership in South America

Silver Spring, MD  (April 13, 2018) – Global Communities today announced that it has partnered with the John Deere Foundation to expand its intervention with vulnerable populations to Argentina and additional areas in Brazil, building on its previous successful work in John Deere home communities the past six years. Programming in India, Brazil, and most recently, Moline, Illinois, has made significant improvements through systemic change in under-served areas where John Deere has operations.

The program’s vision is to improve the economic and social conditions within vulnerable communities in the vicinity of John Deere facilities.  In Brazil, the Sowing Futures program has existed since 2014, and has focused on community development and resilience, civil society strengthening, youth development, and volunteerism for John Deere employees. In light of the achievements from previous programming, the approach is now being broadened to additional regions.

The expanded Sowing Futures program is also deeply rooted in developing local capacity and strengthening linkages between schools, communities, civil society organizations, local government and John Deere. Through a $2.98 million grant from the John Deere Foundation, the expanded Sowing Futures program will provide training and technical support to Deere’s Brazil and Argentina volunteer programs, in part by developing project resources and creating a platform to scale and leverage volunteerism from local company facilities and dealers.
Specifically, the Sowing Futures program plans to expand in Indaiatuba, Campinas and Montenegro in Brazil, and begin new programs in Rosario, Argentina.

“This expansion in both geography and impact allows Global Communities and the John Deere Foundation to reach greater economies of scale, using evidence-based strategies and tactics that help strengthen community resilience and build economic opportunity,” said David A. Weiss, President and CEO of Global Communities. “In partnering with the John Deere Foundation we continue our intervention around the concept that development is something we do with communities, not for them. We look forward to continuing this partnership for many years to come, helping those who need it most.”

ABOUT GLOBAL COMMUNITIES
Global Communities is an international non-profit organization founded in 1952 that works closely with communities worldwide to bring about sustainable changes that improve the lives and livelihoods of the vulnerable. Global Communities believes that the people who understand their needs best are the people of the community itself. Learn more at www.globalcommunities.org or follow us on Twitter at @G_Communities.
Contact:
Amy Levey
301-587-4700 x1798alevey@globalcommunities.org