Situated in the southernmost part of the Americas, Argentina is currently grappling with a socioeconomic and political crisis, reflected in some alarming statistics. In the last six months of 2022, 39.2% of the population lived in poverty and 8.1% were experiencing extreme poverty. The core problem lies in the scarcity of employment opportunities, coupled with the socioeconomic crisis's impact on the public education system. Issues related to drug trafficking and climate change are also on the rise.
Since 2018, Global Communities has worked with vulnerable communities in Argentina through community development initiatives to help residents and institutions prioritize needs, mobilize resources and improve socioeconomic conditions.
With a special emphasis on youth, our work is grounded in developing the leadership potential of community members, enabling them to become change agents within their own neighborhoods. Our programs strengthen the organizational capacity of local institutions, ensuring they can manage development efforts, provide essential services and collaborate to fortify the social fabric of the communities they serve. Civic participation is at the heart of our work, as we encourage residents and volunteers to engage in building stronger, more resilient neighborhoods.
We base our implementation approach on Global Communities' Participatory Action for Community Enhancement (PACE) methodology. This approach fosters community unity for collective action, resulting in improved access to essential services and public resources. By working closely with local actors through this collaborative process, we ensure that the solutions developed are sustainable and tailored to their specific needs.
We have witnessed substantial progress in strengthening locally driven development in Argentina. Our programs are currently active in Granadero Baigorria, Las Rosas and surrounding areas, and we continually expand our reach to foster resilience and create opportunities for positive change.
Sowing Bright Futures for Argentinian Youth
The Sowing Futures program has strengthened the relationship between John Deere and surrounding communities in Argentina through volunteerism since 2018. By creating over 2,115 volunteer opportunities for John Deere employees, the program has transformed communities and deepened the connection between the company, its employees and surrounding residents. With a focus on children and youth, Sowing Futures addresses the specific needs of vulnerable communities.
Together with John Deere Argentina employees, Sowing Futures participants are pioneers, driving participatory, transparent and sustainable solutions to local challenges. The situation in Argentina continues to be critical for those most vulnerable communities. Therefore, the program has a special commitment to supporting the food security of people, mainly the little ones, providing more than 55,000 food rations so far in 2024 together with civil organizations and volunteers.
Also, the program continues to make strides in Granadero Baigorria and Las Rosas, with a mission to develop, scale and sustain projects that enhance livelihoods, support education, improve food security and mitigate the impacts of climate change. Recently, volunteers completed the construction of a dining space at a primary school in Granadero Baigorria, providing daily snacks for over 800 children and lunch for 127 students.
Sowing Futures has expanded its reach to Las Parejas, San Genaro, Capitán Bermúdez, San Lorenzo, Rosario, Fray Luis Beltrán, Bouquet, and El Trébol, with a growing focus on improving the quality of life for disadvantaged youth and fostering social cohesion through education, civic participation, and climate resilience.
Identifying and Addressing Social Challenges
In 2024, Global Communities Argentina, in collaboration with Cargill, launched a significant initiative to identify and address social challenges in areas where Cargill operates. As part of our broader effort to support companies in their corporate social responsibility (CSR) endeavors, we work closely with local communities and private sector partners to ensure that community needs are met sustainably and impactfully.
This community diagnostic initiative focuses on assessing and understanding the needs, challenges and opportunities faced by local populations in the province of Santa Fe, specifically in the cities of Alvear, Villa Gobernador Gálvez, Venado Tuerto, and Villa Mercedes in the province of San Luis. The information gathered through this analysis will be essential in the next phase as we support the design and implementation of programs that effectively address the needs identified by these communities, ensuring that Cargill’s CSR efforts lead to meaningful, long-term benefits.
CRISIS TO RESILIENCE SERIES
Employing a Locally-Led Approach to Social Development in Argentina
76,433
Direct participants across programs
17,608
Children and youth reached
8,561
Volunteers
381
Partnerships formed
From Our Local Partners
The support and projects of Global Communities Argentina are a great contribution to the healthy growth of children in the region.
Mariela Hernández
Director of JardÃn de Infantes Nucleado No. 162
Recent Programs
Supporting Small-Scale Farmers
In 2022, Global Communities provided advisory services to Corteva Agriscience to evaluate the outcomes of their Prospera program, which sought to improve the productivity of smallholder farmers in Argentina. We offered technical support in designing and implementing an evaluation of the pilot phase, helping to outline potential plans for continuation and partnership development.
Our specialized team of agronomists conducted field assessments with over 100 small-scale farmers in hard-to-reach areas of Buenos Aires, Córdoba, Corrientes, Santa Fe, Santiago del Estero, and Salta provinces. In addition, we analyzed internal documentation and offered on-site technical assistance and guidance to the group of volunteers implementing the program.
The initiative concluded the same year with a report that highlighted lessons learned, opportunities for improvement, and recommendations for progressive scaling and continuity. (Closed in 2022)
Â
Confronting the COVID-19 Pandemic
When the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020, Sowing Futures program staff in Argentina worked tirelessly to reassess local conditions, maintain contact with program stakeholders, coordinate with local John Deere teams and reprogram activities to meet the growing needs of at-risk families. Between April and October 2020, John Deere Argentina, through Sowing Futures, delivered 129,728 food rations and 2,930 hygiene kits to approximately 1,146 families across Granadero Baigorria and Las Rosas. We also provided medical equipment and supplies to the Las Rosas health clinic. Finally, to ensure relief continues to reach those most in need, we developed a network of local partners that include Deere Argentine/Pla, municipal governments, neighborhood groups and community-based organizations that coordinate ongoing COVID-19 response efforts. (Closed in 2020)
Parents, children and volunteers building a community garden
In the city of Granadero Baigorria, community residents and John Deere volunteers worked with the parents of preschool students to grow and sustain a community garden. The project taught parents and their children about the impact that developing healthy eating habits has on children’s educational growth and offered classes on how to prepare healthy meals and create gardens at home.
Our Work in Argentina
Governance
Strengthening Civil Society, Democracy and Responsive Government
Positive Youth Development
Equipping Young People for Leadership and Success
Economic Opportunity
Advancing Job Training and Market Linkages for Sustainable Livelihoods
Sustainable Development
Standing with Communities as They Shape Their Own Future
Resources
Briefs & Case Studies
Learning Brief: Collaborating, Learning and Adapting the PACE Process on the Sowing Futures Program
Global Communities’ Sowing Futures program, funded by the John Deere Foundation (JDF), applies Global Communities’ Participatory Action for Community Enhancement (PACE) methodology for community development, youth engagement and institutional strengthening in southern Brazil. The program’s first phase, which began in late 2014, was implemented in 10 communities in and around Horizontina, Brazil (the location of…
NEWS
Latest stories from the blog
Celebrating 10 Years of Positive Impact in Brazil
In 2014, Global Communities arrived in Brazil in partnership with the John Deere Foundation to implement the Sowing Futures program in Horizontina (RS). Since then, …
Read More
Sowing Futures and Lots of Hope in Argentina
By: Sergio Scheffer and Natalia Lopez-Thismon Translated by: Samuel Lau In the peripheral neighborhoods of cities in Argentina, it is not uncommon to find large …
Read More
Reflections on Programming Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic
 The COVID-19 pandemic has continued to impact communities beyond what many thought would be a few weeks of quarantine. As we recognize the second anniversary …
Read More
Learning to Collaborate Through Sowing Futures in Argentina
“While Manuel has always been the type of student to speak up in front of his peers, his class is not very diverse in terms …
Read More