Partnership between Grupo BBF and universities seeks to boost social development in Roraima

Challenges facing the communities of Boa Vista and São João da Baliza will be diagnosed by students and involve the local population

São Paulo, December 12, 2023 - Grupo BBF (Brasil BioFuels), the largest palm oil producer in Latin America, in partnership with the Center for Social and Environmental Technology in the Amazon - Amazônia Socioambiental, had the participation of the Federal University (UFRR) and the State University (UERR) of Roraima in the development of extension projects to train students in the so-called Participatory Rapid Diagnostics (DRP).

The aim of the project is to train students with the aim of boosting development in the state, using Grupo BBF 's expertise in this area. The university and the company have therefore joined forces to train students in participatory diagnostics, through a partnership with the Amazônia Socioambiental Civil Society Organization (OSC). In the second half of this year alone, 50 students were trained in the methodology to develop actions in the municipalities of Boa Vista and São João da Baliza, in Roraima.

According to Milton Steagall, CEO of Grupo BBF, the project seeks not only to enrich the students' educational experience, but also to contribute to the sustainable development of the regions served by the company, as part of its social responsibility program for the UTE Híbrido Forte de São Joaquim and UTE Baliza plants.

Since July 2023, students have been carrying out participatory research in municipal communities and schools. Participatory Rapid Diagnostics (PRD) is recognized for its inclusive approach, allowing local communities to be actively involved in identifying problems, formulating solutions and making decisions. The results can guide the implementation of specific actions to address the needs and challenges identified in each region.

In general, some possible actions arising from the results include strengthening schools by developing training programs for teachers and school staff based on the gaps identified in the diagnosis, supporting local associations that play a crucial role in the communities by developing projects aimed at strengthening the capacity of these associations to generate income and food security, developing social assistance programs to meet the specific needs of local communities, such as health care, access to education. The document generated is also made available to the local community to assist in the development of local development projects and plans.

Grupo BBF is financially supporting the social actions, including the consultancy that provides the training. The company also provides graphic and digital materials used in the training and presentations.

"With the combination of the university's academic expertise, the experience of the Center for Social and Environmental Technology and the support of Grupo BBF, through its social responsibility program, this initiative stands as an example of collaboration between the public and private sectors for the common good. In a world where corporate social responsibility is playing an increasingly important role, this initiative highlights how education, the participation of civil society and companies can boost social progress and social welfare," says Steagall.

For Alexandre Victor, coordinator of the social responsibility program and environmental consultant for Grupo BBF, it will be of great help to the local communities. "We are excited to share our knowledge of diagnostics and other participatory methodologies with the students of Roraima's public universities. We believe that this approach will not only enrich their perspectives, but will also contribute significantly to the progress of the communities we are beginning to partner with," he says.

For Luciana Barros, a professor at the Federal University of Roraima (EAGRO/UFRR), combining theory and practice makes it possible to better prepare students to be agents of change committed to social responsibility. According to Lelisângela Carvalho da Silva, a professor at the State University of Roraima (UERR), this first major post-pandemic training course will help to tackle the complex challenges of integrating community and university.

By establishing this partnership, the universities in Roraima are getting closer to the community, and it also makes it possible to form teams for new internships, research and opportunities for students. The project coordinators aim not only to enrich the students' educational experience, but also to contribute to the sustainable development of the regions served by the company as part of the environmental compensation program.

The participatory methodology training program offered by this partnership, after training the academics, has been applying participatory research since July in the communities and municipal schools in Boa Vista and São João da Baliza and is scheduled to end in 2024.

About Grupo BBF

Grupo BBF (Brasil BioFuels), a Brazilian company founded in 2008, is the largest palm oil producer in Latin America, with a cultivated area of over 75,000 hectares and a production capacity of 200,000 tons of oil per year. The company is a pioneer in creating sustainable solutions for generating renewable energy in isolated systems, with thermoelectric plants powered by biofuels produced in the region. Its agricultural activity recovers areas that were degraded until 2007 in the Amazon, following the Oil Palm Agroecological Zoning (ZAE), approved by Decree 7.172 of the Federal Government, of May 7, 2010.

Grupo BBF has created an integrated business model in which it operates from the beginning to the end of the value chain - from sustainable oil palm cultivation, crude oil extraction, biofuel production, biotechnology and renewable energy generation - with assets totaling around R$2.2 billion and activities generating more than 6,000 direct jobs in the northern region of Brazil. Grupo BBF 's operations are located in the states of Acre, Amazonas, Rondônia, Roraima and Pará, comprising 38 thermoelectric plants (25 in operation and 13 under implementation), 3 palm oil crushing units, a soybean extruder and a biodiesel industry.

The company is expanding its supply of biofuels and has signed partnerships to produce Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and Green Diesel. The new sustainable fuels will be produced from 2026 in the country's first biorefinery, currently under construction in the Manaus Free Trade Zone.

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