Marca by BolognaFiere 2025 is just a short time away, which in January will also give plenty of space to issues and instances related to solidarity, touching on community needs and requirements and orienting its actions and those of exhibitors toward sustainable development goals.

Gender equality: continues the partnership with CEFA

As part of a joint effort to promote sustainable development, continues the three-year agreement signed in January 2024 by Marca by BolognaFiere with the NGO CEFA - The Seed of Solidarity, which fits into the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda.

Also for the 2025 edition, Marca by BolognaFiere and CEFA have selected a Goal of the 2030 Agenda, making it a sustainability project also for exhibitors to participate in fundraising for this initiative, which, as a CSR - Corporate Social Responsibility action, can be included in corporate sustainability reporting

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Relating to the theme of Gender Equality-Goal 5 of the UN Agenda, the CEFA project chosen for 2025 will focus on Mozambique, one of the poorest countries on the African continent, with the aim of implementing integrated development programs with a supply chain approach. Mozambique, in fact, is facing a severe food crisis, recently exacerbated by cyclones that hit 40 percent of the country, with about 2.8 million people suffering from serious food insecurity between April and September 2024. The situation is set to worsen further in the coming months, with estimates of 3.3 million people in need of assistance by March 2025. The expected worsening is attributable to depletion of food supplies, conflict in Mozambique's northern provinces, anzd the climatic effects of La Niña, which could affect the country's southern and central regions.

The initiative aims to reduce food insecurity in the Beira and Dondo districts through an integrated action that will include training, practical support and awareness raising. The center of the change will be “Model Mothers,” 35 women involved in local groups and committed to acquiring and disseminating agro-ecological skills to improve food self-sufficiency and agricultural sustainability. Model Moms will receive customized training on techniques to optimize soil fertility, biodiversity, and climate change adaptation by reducing dependence on pesticides and chemical fertilizers. Itinerant trainings will take place on family lands, with continuous monitoring and hands-on activities that will foster social cohesion and mutual aid.

During the 10 scheduled training meetings, there will be distributed kits with seeds (legumes, vegetables, grains, plants) and agricultural tools (hoes, shovels, scythes, watering cans); family gardens will also be set up.

Model Moms will be able to become leaders in their communities, gaining recognition and decisional power. At the same time, collective activities, such as itinerant training and work on vegetable gardens, will strengthen mutual aid, solidarity and bonds among women, promoting economic and social autonomy.

About CEFA

Founded in 1972 by Bolognese agricultural cooperatives, CEFA is a nongovernmental organization engaged in integrated development projects in Africa, Central America and South America. Its goal is to promote a sustainable economy by providing training and employment and improving income to empower rural communities to manage local economic resources. The challenges addressed by CEFA include fighting hunger, protecting and providing access to water, enhancing technical skills, socioeconomic inclusion of women, managing climate change, promoting renewable energy, protecting biodiversity, creating employment and business opportunities, and respecting human rights