Experiences of the Group around the world demonstrate that the concepts present in the Odebrecht Foundation programs extend beyond geographical and cultural barriers. This is revealed by the Laúca Hydroelectric Facility – built by Odebrecht Engineering & Construction International – Infrastructure– home to the Laúca Hydroelectric Facility Aquaculture Pilot Program.

The social project is a joint initiative involving the Angolan Government, clients and the community, and was inspired by the farming of tilapia in net tanks at the Continental Water Aquaculturists’ Cooperative (COOPECON) in the Bahia Southern Lowlands. The cooperative is supported by the foundation through the Program for Development and Growth Integrated with Sustainability (PDCIS).

Established in 2010, COOPECON benefits cooperative members and their families with technical support, selling the farmed fish to major retail chains. The experience in Angola follows the same logic – with the sectors of production, industrialization and marketing all interdependent – but there is one differential: the entire 6-ton monthly fish production is consumed at the construction site cafeteria, where 8,400 members work.

“Most of the hydroelectric power plants form an extensive and idle lake, where the model can be re-applied, generating employment and income for the local community,” explained Adriano Freire, responsible for bringing Angola the technique developed in Brazil by the foundation, where he worked from 2007 to 2013. Freire is currently Manager of the pilot program developed at the hydroelectric power plant. For aquaculturist Armindo Domingos, the initiative’s arrival was a true turning point. “I stopped hunting, an activity that has many risks,” he said. “Here, I’m learning a lot and working safely.”

Professionalization

Based on the Odebrecht Entrepreneurial Technology (TEO), the project adopts the pedagogy of presence in professional development. With the start of the reservoir filling work, scheduled for 2017, the program will finally be headed by the community, helping to promote the professionalization of the Business.

According to Eduardo Odebrecht de Queiroz, Executive President of the foundation, the transfer of knowledge is aligned with the institution’s commitment and vision of the future. “We are committed to strengthening governance as a social business and giving scale to the social and environmental technology developed and enhanced in our programs,” said Queiroz.

Marcus Azeredo, Contract Director for the project, recalled that Norberto Odebrecht’s teachings were the main source of inspiration. “We brought all the expertise and experience of a transforming program, one that turns needy communities into agents of their own destiny,” said Azeredo.

About the Laúca Hydroelectric Facility Aquiculture Pilot Program:

25 producers (former hunters and fishermen)
125 people indirectly benefitted
6 tons per month of cacusso, the name for tilapia in Angola