What is the name of your organization?
iCare Foundation
What is the name of your solution?
Project Mejorando Futuros
Provide a one-line summary or tagline for your solution.
Mejorando Futuros: Empowering Communities for a Sustainable Future
In what city, town, or region is your solution team headquartered?
Mexico City, CDMX, Mexico
In what country is your solution team headquartered?
Mexico
What type of organization is your solution team?
Nonprofit
Film your elevator pitch.
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What specific problem are you solving?
Mejorando Futuros addresses the urgent issue of food insecurity and limited access to sustainable resources in marginalized communities. In Mexico, nearly 44% of the population experiences moderate to severe food insecurity ([FAO, 2023](https://www.fao.org/3/cc3017en/cc3017en.pdf)), with vulnerable groups, including low-income families, migrants, and indigenous communities, disproportionately affected. Globally, over 735 million people face hunger, while food waste remains a major issue—one-third of all food produced is discarded ([UNEP, 2022](https://www.unep.org/resources/report/unep-food-waste-index-report-2022)).
In the communities we serve, economic instability, environmental degradation, and lack of education on sustainable food systems contribute to the cycle of poverty and hunger. Limited access to fresh, nutritious food exacerbates health disparities, leading to malnutrition and diet-related diseases. Additionally, unsustainable agricultural practices deplete natural resources, making long-term food security even more precarious.
Through our initiative [Raíces](#), Mejorando Futuros tackles these challenges by implementing community-driven solutions such as urban farming, education on sustainable food production, and partnerships with local organizations to enhance food accessibility. By addressing both immediate hunger needs and long-term systemic change, we aim to break the cycle of food insecurity and empower communities toward self-sufficiency.
What is your solution?
Mejorando Futuros empowers rural youth in Raíces, Mexico, through sustainable agriculture and entrepreneurship. We are building two greenhouses with rainwater harvesting systems and planting 60 fruit trees (strawberries) to supply a student-run café.
Students will gain hands-on experience in agriculture, business management, and financial literacy by growing organic produce and running the café. This provides fresh, nutritious food and generates income, making the project self-sustaining. Strategically located on a tourist route, the café will attract visitors, fostering economic growth.
Our plan includes:
Community Engagement – Collaborating with students, teachers, and local leaders for long-term success.
Securing Resources – Acquiring greenhouses, plants, and café equipment through grants and sponsorships.
Implementation – Setting up greenhouses, planting fruit trees, and installing rainwater harvesting systems.
Student Training – Teaching agriculture, business operations, and financial literacy.
Café Launch – Running a student-operated café to generate sustainable income.
Long-Term Impact – Reinvesting profits into the school and inspiring similar community projects.
By equipping students with real-world skills, Mejorando Futuros fosters independence, economic opportunity, and sustainable development—proving that young people can drive meaningful change.
https://www.canva.com/design/DAGRD9j5SlU/rmbVDLLzNH58k3hp-lmuOw/edit?utm_content=DAGRD9j5SlU&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=sharebutton
Who does your solution serve, and in what ways will the solution impact their lives?
The target population for our project is 40 students and their families from the Raíces community, an underserved group facing challenges in accessing educational resources and sustainable living practices. These families, who often lack the means to adopt environmentally sustainable methods, will directly benefit from our initiative. The project serves as a bridge between these families and the knowledge they need to build sustainable, self-sufficient practices in their daily lives.
Through collaboration with local teachers and community leaders, we aim to implement hands-on learning experiences such as waste management education, tailored to meet the needs of each child and their family. This collaborative approach will allow us to equip 40 students with the skills to engage in sustainable practices, while also providing teachers and parents with tools to reinforce these practices in both the classroom and home settings. This support will include regular guidance, activities, and the sharing of progress across multiple environments, ensuring a holistic, long-term impact on both the students’ learning outcomes and the broader community.
By empowering families, teachers, and students, our initiative will create a network of sustainable practices, fostering a culture of environmental awareness and resilience in the Raíces community.
