Visit by the Foundation to Angola marks progress in the international replication of PDCIS

In June, the Norberto Odebrecht Foundation (FNO) took another decisive step toward the internationalization of PDCIS, its social program focused on sustainable development. Following the signing of a memorandum of understanding with Odebrecht Angola and the Agrarian Development Support Fund (FADA), and the visit of these institutions to Brazil to see firsthand the social technologies of PDCIS successfully applied for over 20 years, it was FNO’s turn to cross the Atlantic and strengthen this exchange.

On a joint technical mission, the Foundation visited 17 communities surrounding the New International Airport of Cabinda (NAIC), a project carried out by Odebrecht Angola. Located in the northern region of the country, Cabinda is one of Angola’s 21 provinces. The delegation’s goal was to conduct a preliminary study of the social, cultural, and agricultural conditions of local farming families through active listening and surveys to identify key challenges and opportunities.

“One of the most meaningful aspects of this work was arriving in the communities with humility and respect, to deeply understand the territory and its traditions,” said Jonas Nogueira, FNO’s Sustainability Coordinator and one of the future leaders in co-creating a version of PDCIS adapted to Angola’s reality. “We will bring a form of social impact, based on our experience, that fits their culture. The internationalization of a private social investment program is something truly innovative,” he stated.

Dr. Deolinda Almeida, Advisor to FADA, shared that direct contact with Cabinda’s family farmers and community leaders reinforced the belief that sustainable agrarian development is only possible through integrated solutions such as technical training, agricultural innovation, and productive inclusion. “In this context, the valuable experience brought by the Norberto Odebrecht Foundation stands out, as it can inspire and guide actions in Cabinda,” she said.

A New Phase in Angola

The Brazilian experience of PDCIS, consolidated over more than 20 years in the Baixo Sul region of Bahia and successfully replicated in Rio de Janeiro, is seen as a model for the project “Producing to Transform Lives,” to be implemented in partnership between FNO, Odebrecht Angola, and FADA. The initiative aims to promote rural development in the African country using strategies and technologies from FNO’s social program, which will help increase the productivity of small farmers and, consequently, agricultural competitiveness.

“The Foundation has extensive know-how in agrarian development with communities. With this experience combined with FADA’s work, the institutions will develop a technical approach that will consistently and closely benefit Angolan families,” said Claudia Dias, Sustainability Manager for the NAIC project at Odebrecht Angola. For Dr. Deolinda, this visit marks the beginning of a new cycle of cooperation between the institutions. “We are uniting nations in favor of a modern, resilient, and opportunity-generating agriculture, where potential is transformed into progress,” she said.

In addition to representing a strategic advancement for FNO, the project is also a milestone in Odebrecht’s 40-year presence in Angola, solidifying a lasting social legacy in a country that has built a strong and trusting relationship with the Novonor Group. But for Jonas, the initiative also represents a kind of retribution from FNO to a sister nation. “It’s powerful to imagine a Brazilian corporate foundation, born in Bahia, crossing the Atlantic to benefit a people whose ancestors were forced into the diaspora to the Americas — including our own country — and who contributed deeply to our identity. This gesture carries a powerful symbolism of reconnection, reparation, and historical recognition,” he concluded.