Innovative sustainable partnership between UNESP and a rural community: The bamboo project

Abstract

A successful partnership has been established between one of the most prestigious universities in Brazil, the São Paulo State University - UNESP, and a rural community located in the state of São Paulo, Bauru, Brazil. Within the ambit of this project, the farmers of this community, who are at constant social risk, receive training to enter the bamboo production chain. This training involves planting species of commercial interest, handling bamboo clumps to produce seedlings and stems, treatment and drying, in addition to techniques for processing, treatment and utilization in the construction of lightweight structures and for the production of artisanal and processed products, thus adding value to the material and providing a source of income for these families. This partnership resulted in several mutual benefits, e.g., the formation of a group of trained farmers, called the “Viverde Agroecological Association,” which can replicate this process by including new families in the project, as well as the establishment of partnerships to disseminate and support the project, and the training of UNESP students in product development and in scientific activities. This partnership project has received several awards for sustainability in Brazil, such as the 2009 Odebrecht Award for Contributions of Engineering to Sustainable Development, the University Outreach Award (UNISOL), the 2010 and 2011 Banco Santander Award, the 2010 ProExt/MEC Award (Brazilian Ministry of Education and Culture), and the 2013 3M Institute for Sustainable Development Award.