![\"\"](\"http:\/\/centrodeexcelencia.org.br\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/retrospectiva-2025-ENG.png\")
2025 was an intense year for the WFP Centre of Excellence against Hunger in Brazil, marked by major international meetings, numerous technical missions, and study visits within the framework of South-South cooperation. Below are the year\u2019s main highlights.<\/p>\n
EVENTS<\/strong> In September, the city of Fortaleza hosted the 2nd Global Summit of the School Meals Coalition<\/a>, the world\u2019s largest event dedicated to the topic, which brought together leaders from various countries to discuss the expansion and strengthening of school feeding programs. The Vice President of Brazil, Geraldo Alckmin, and WFP Executive Director Cindy McCain were present<\/a>.<\/p>\n The event was organized by the WFP Centre of Excellence in Brazil and the School Meals Coalition Secretariat, in partnership with the Ministry of Education, the National Fund for Education Development (FNDE), and the Brazilian Cooperation Agency (ABC), with support from the Government of the State of Cear\u00e1. On this occasion, 19 governments announced new commitments to expand school feeding in their territories.<\/p>\n World Food Day<\/strong> WFD is a date established by the four UN agencies whose mandate includes combating hunger: the World Food Programme (WFP), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA).<\/p>\n The Lancet Series<\/strong> Scientists from the Center for Epidemiological Research in Nutrition and Health (Nupens) at USP, Carlos Monteiro and Patricia Jaime, and Phillip Baker from the University of Sydney, co-authors, presented their articles on the consequences of ultra-processed food consumption.<\/p>\n Chef and WFP Brazil High-Level Supporter Rita Lobo moderated the panel on Public Policies in Latin America. The full launch can be viewed on the @WFPBrasil YouTube channel<\/a>.<\/p>\n TECHNICAL MISSIONS<\/strong> Senegal<\/strong> Republic of the Congo<\/strong> S\u00e3o Tom\u00e9 and Pr\u00edncipe<\/strong><\/p>\n S\u00e3o Tom\u00e9 and Pr\u00edncipe hosted two missions from the Centre of Excellence. The first, in October, focused on school nutrition training, organized by the Centre of Excellence with support from FNDE, ABC, and the World Food Programme (WFP) in S\u00e3o Tom\u00e9 and Pr\u00edncipe. The second mission, held in late October and early November under the Brazil-France partnership, aimed to strengthen school feeding through the implementation of solutions adapted to the local context, with a focus on sustainability and food security. Benin<\/strong><\/p>\n Two simultaneous missions were carried out by the Centre of Excellence in Benin in October. The project seeks to integrate family farming into school feeding and promote income alternatives for cotton producers. It is implemented by the Centre of Excellence with support from the Brazilian Cotton Institute (IBA), the Government of Benin, WFP in Benin, and ABC.<\/p>\n The second mission, held in southern Benin, was part of the Brazil-France partnership, with support from WFP in Benin and the local government. The focus was on implementing clean energy technologies applied to school feeding, including the construction of a biodigester, eco-friendly stoves, and economical garden beds in schools. STUDY VISITS<\/strong> South Africa Delegation<\/strong> Virtual Visit from Jordan<\/strong> Webinar with Bangladesh<\/strong> Benin Delegation<\/strong> Visit to Indonesia<\/strong> Pakistan Delegation<\/strong> PARTNERSHIPS<\/strong><\/p>\n Brazil-France<\/strong> Hunger doesn\u2019t go on vocation Campaign<\/strong><\/p>\n In November, during COP30, the pre-launch of the campaign \u201cHunger Doesn\u2019t Take a Vacation\u201d<\/em> took place, a partnership between WFP, Instituto Fome de Tudo, Caixa Econ\u00f4mica Federal, and ELO. The initiative aims to ensure healthy and quality food for children during school recess periods. INITIATIVES<\/strong> Reality Show In December, the reality show Escola de Sabores<\/a> premiered, featuring school cooks from riverside, Indigenous, and quilombola communities. The reality show reinforces the importance of respecting communities’ traditional eating habits, ensuring menus that reflect their customs and culture. The program is the result of a partnership between FNDE, ABC, and the Centre of Excellence and will air until February 2026 on Band and the Sabor & Arte channel. PROJECTS<\/strong><\/p>\n Beyond Cotton \u2013 Mozambique Webinars Seeds for Tomorrow<\/strong> InovaSAN and AlimentaLAB<\/strong>
\nSchool Meals Coalition Global Summit<\/strong><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/centrodeexcelencia.org.br\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_7915-Summit-vale-scaled-e1766525747137.jpg\")
\nThis year, World Food Day (WFD), a date that highlights the importance of healthy eating and promotes cooperation to eradicate hunger, malnutrition, and food insecurity, was celebrated in partnership with the Government of the State of Cear\u00e1 during the 2nd edition of the \u201cCear\u00e1 Without Hunger\u201d Festival in Fortaleza.<\/p>\n
\nThe Lancet Series \u2013 Ultra-Processed Foods and Human Health<\/em> was launched in Brazil with an event held in December at the Fiocruz auditorium in Bras\u00edlia.<\/p>\n
\nIn 2025, the Centre of Excellence strengthened South-South cooperation through technical missions aimed at exchanging experiences with partner countries on school feeding, family farming, food systems, and sustainable production.<\/p>\n
\nThe first mission of the year for the Centre of Excellence took place in Senegal in February, with the goal of supporting the review of the country\u2019s National School Feeding Policy and the development of its nutritional guidelines for school meals. Senegal aims to expand school feeding to 65% of its public primary schools by 2028.
\nIn addition to assessing the available infrastructure, the mission helped strengthen dialogue with school managers, authorities, and communities involved in program implementation. The mission was carried out under the Brazil-France partnership.<\/p>\n
\nTwo missions by the Centre of Excellence were conducted under the activities of the \u201cSeeds for Tomorrow\u201d Project in the Republic of the Congo. The first, in July, focused on training courses on soil management and biofertilizer production, and the second, in August, aimed to consolidate the results achieved by the project and plan the next steps.
\nThe project was concluded in December 2025 with the launch of the Final Evaluation Report, which highlighted the contribution of activities to initiating the process of revising the country\u2019s School Feeding Policy.
\nThe project aimed to promote family farming and school feeding through public procurement in the African country and was part of a South-South cooperation initiative between the governments of Brazil and the Republic of the Congo, with support from the World Food Programme (WFP), the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC), and funding from the IBSA Fund (India, Brazil, and South Africa).<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/centrodeexcelencia.org.br\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/WFP_STP-Treinamento_Leticia-do-Valle-12-e1766525635231.jpg\")
\nParticipants received theoretical and practical training on planning nutritionally adequate menus, using local products, food safety, nutritional assessment of students, and visited farms supplying the program.<\/p>\n
\nA rainwater harvesting and storage cistern was built for potable use at one school. At another, eco-friendly stoves were installed, significantly reducing smoke emissions and firewood consumption.
\nDuring the mission, a fish tank was also built to integrate fish farming into school feeding; training was provided on producing alternative feed for pigs and chickens using locally available resources; and theoretical and practical sessions were held on biofertilizers and bioinsecticides made from native plants and local ingredients.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/centrodeexcelencia.org.br\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Foto-familia-biodifgestor-scaled-e1766525418139.jpeg\")
\nThe first mission took place in the northern region of the country under the Beyond Cotton Project<\/em>. Brazilian and Beninese specialists participated in training activities on nutrition and sustainable agriculture involving schools, cooperatives, school committees, and government technicians. The mission also included an educational activity on food and nutrition for children.<\/p>\n
\nThe mission also featured an educational activity on food and nutrition for children and a national seminar on local procurement for the Integrated National School Feeding Program (PNASI), strengthening the link between family farmers and school canteens.<\/p>\n
\nThis year, the Centre of Excellence welcomed several delegations and promoted virtual visits from countries seeking to learn about Brazil\u2019s experience in school feeding, family farming, and social protection.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/centrodeexcelencia.org.br\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_1896-Visitas-de-estudo-Africa-do-Sul-scaled-e1766525473383.jpg\")
\nIn March, a delegation of 11 government representatives from South Africa visited Brazil to learn about aspects of purchasing from family farming for school feeding, focusing on food safety, supply frequency, and the multisectoral functioning of the National School Feeding Program (PNAE).
\nOne of the country\u2019s challenges is to strengthen and expand the capacity of local farmers by fostering the creation of cooperatives and providing training to produce according to school demand. The visit was organized by the Centre of Excellence with support from FNDE, ABC, and the Brazilian government.<\/p>\n
\nIn May, the Centre held two virtual visits with representatives from Jordan to present specific aspects of the Brazilian school feeding model, such as the legal framework, financing, monitoring, and integration with family farming.
\nThe activity was promoted by the Centre of Excellence in partnership with FNDE, ABC, and WFP in Jordan.<\/p>\n
\nIn July, the Centre of Excellence hosted a webinar with representatives from 15 ministries of the Government of Bangladesh to present Brazil\u2019s main strategies for combating hunger.
\nThe session highlighted family farming and school feeding as pillars for social development through joint work across different government sectors. Since 2012, the Centre of Excellence and WFP have supported the Government of Bangladesh in building and strengthening its national school feeding program.<\/p>\n
\nGovernment representatives from Benin visited Brazil in May as part of the Beyond Cotton Project<\/em>. The agenda, aimed at deepening the exchange between the two countries, included technical visits to schools, health units, family farming settlements, and meetings with authorities from the Ministries of Education, Agriculture, Health, and Social Development.
\nThe Beyond Cotton Project<\/em> is promoted under South-South Cooperation between Brazil, Benin, and WFP, with support from the Brazilian Cotton Institute (IBA), ABC, and the Centre of Excellence.<\/p>\n
\nIn August, representatives from the Centre of Excellence traveled to Jakarta to participate in the Academic Forum and the International Stakeholder Seminar on Indonesia\u2019s Free Nutritious Meals Program (MBG).
\nThe visit aimed to analyze the national context and discuss possible pathways to strengthen school feeding in Indonesia. The Indonesian government seeks to universalize school feeding in the country, increasing coverage from 6 million to 80 million students.<\/p>\n
\nIn December, Brazil hosted a delegation from Pakistan for a study mission that included a field visit in Arapiraca (Alagoas) and another in Bras\u00edlia. The mission focused on learning about experiences in food and nutrition security, family farming, and sustainable rural development.
\nThe visit was organized by the Centre of Excellence in partnership with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the Brazilian Government, and ABC, with support from the Government of the State of Alagoas for the field activities.<\/p>\n
\nTo expand South-South cooperation in school feeding, a Declaration of Intent was signed in October between the Government of France, the National Fund for Education Development (FNDE), the Brazilian Cooperation Agency (ABC), and the Centre of Excellence.
\nThe agreement provides for joint actions in technical training, exchange missions, study visits, development of knowledge products, and support for the formulation and monitoring of national school feeding programs.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/centrodeexcelencia.org.br\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Kamila-Canhedo-Caixa-Fome-nao-tira-Ferias-e1766525534542.jpeg\")
\nIn its pilot phase, the campaign intends to serve one thousand public school children in municipalities across several states through a social card with a monthly amount exclusively for purchasing food in accredited markets.<\/p>\n
\nAgroecological PNAE<\/strong>
\nIn January, the Centre of Excellence hosted the meeting that launched the Agroecological PNAE project, carried out by the Instituto Comida do Amanh\u00e3 in partnership with Instituto Regenera, Instituto Fome Zero, and the Centre of Excellence, with support from the Rockefeller Foundation.
\nThe project aims to strengthen incentives for small producers to bring agroecological products to school feeding. As part of the project, in October, the Centre of Excellence participated in a webinar launching the Policy Paper \u201cThe PNAE as a Driver of Agroecological Transition in Brazil: Incentives and Institutional Arrangements for Public Procurement of Healthy and Sustainable Foods.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/centrodeexcelencia.org.br\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Image-5Sineide-Santos-e1766525591315.jpg\")
\nIn May, an award ceremony was held for the winning school cooks and nutritionists from the previous reality show, Vida de Merendeira<\/a>. The reality shows aim to show participants\u2019 knowledge of PNAE guidelines while honoring the professionals responsible for school feeding.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>In October, a ceremony marked the conclusion of the Beyond Cotton Project<\/em> in Mozambique, which, over seven years of cooperation, strengthened family farming and promoted the sustainable use of cotton by-products. Among the highlighted results are the strengthening of the local economy through the application of intercropping techniques for cotton and food crops such as beans and sesame.
\nThe event was attended by representatives from the World Food Programme (WFP) in Mozambique, the Manica Polytechnic Institute (ISPM), the Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Fisheries of Tete (DPAP), the Cotton and Oilseeds Institute of Mozambique (IAOM), District Services for Economic Activities (SDAE) from different provinces, as well as the Federal University of Lavras (UFLA), ABC, and the Centre of Excellence.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>Throughout 2025, the Centre of Excellence, in partnership with the ABC and the Brazilian Cotton Institute (IBA), held a series of three webinars to share results of the Beyond Cotton Project in the three countries where it was implemented: Tanzania, Mozambique, and Benin.
\nThe first webinar addressed the experience of South-South Cooperation in implementing the Beyond Cotton Project. The second focused on institutional procurement and market access for small producers of cotton and intercropped crops. The third covered nutrition-sensitive agriculture: diversified production and food and nutrition security.
\nThe webinars are available in Portuguese, English, and French on the Centre of Excellence\u2019s YouTube channel<\/a>.<\/p>\n
\nIn addition to technical missions and field activities carried out throughout 2025, four technical manuals aimed at strengthening school feeding and family farming in the Republic of the Congo were published under the Seeds for Tomorrow Project<\/em>.
\nThe manuals share Brazil\u2019s experiences to support the implementation of integrated public policies, focusing on the procurement of food from family farms for school feeding programs. The manuals are available in Portuguese and French in the Publications section of the Seeds for Tomorrow Project<\/a> webpage.<\/p>\n
\nIn July, the InovaSAN<\/strong> Project (a name combining the words innovation and food and nutrition security) held a meeting in Bras\u00edlia with representatives of cooperatives and family farming organizations from 20 Brazilian states. The goal was to present opportunities for farmers to participate in institutional food purchases carried out by WFP, especially in the context of international humanitarian assistance.
\nInovaSAN is a partnership between the Centre of Excellence, the Ministry of Social Development, Family and Fight Against Hunger (MDS), and ABC.
\nAs part of InovaSAN, in June, a webinar was held to launch AlimentaLAB<\/strong><\/a> \u2014 the Innovation Lab for Public Policies for Healthy and Sustainable Food Systems. The initiative is a platform for registering and sharing experiences from Global South countries with innovative practices for food systems. To learn more, access: alimentaLAB.prosas.com.br<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n