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Sardinia's sustainable mussel farming practices lead the way in Senegal in a territorial development project involving female fishermen and young people from the Dakar region. Thanks to the "TOGG FII, one Reason to Stay" program of the Sardinian association Sandalia, within the "Territorial partnerships for sustainable development in Senegal - Project Networks at Work" launched by the Piedmont Region, which is led by the Municipality of Oristano - the Sardinian mussel farming companies will be able to bring good circular economy practices in Thiaroye-Sur-Mer Municipality, in Senegal. 

MEDSEA Foundation will coordinate the meetings with the goal to transfer the good practices of the circular economy to Senegalese mussel farmers. The Foundation has long been working with the “blue eco labs” to find circular economy solutions for ocean food production. Starting from the next months, the Foundation will take care of on-site and connected information, communication and training activities through exchange initiatives with local operators, including the companies Nieddittas (Arborea) and Varpesca (Olbia).  

The TOGG FII Program was born from the collaboration with the COFLEC Association (Women's Collective against Clandestine Emigration), created by Yayi Bayame Diouf and made up of 375 women who have lost, in an attempt to reach Europe, children, husbands, brothers, sisters or parents by sea. With the aim of putting an end to this exodus and giving a form of economic support to young people and women, Diouf, in addition to being the first female fisherman in all of Senegal, created the Economic Interest Group (G.I.E.) Naatangue which deals today with the production and valuing of mussels farming and the communication of these fishing practices, with very encouraging results and replicable in at least 10 other sites along the coast of Senegal. 

In addition to the contribution in the health sector for the reduction of the maternal and infant mortality rate, the TOGG program supports a network of local farmers and breeders in the production and processing of primary products, but above all it supports the fight against illegal emigration, through activities raising awareness of the dangers associated with it; but, above all, through support for the creation of professional and work alternatives that give reasons to stay at home. 

The project also has the prospect of generating a positive impact in the region - both in Sardinia and in Piedmont - through the creation of an awareness campaign  aimed at families against food waste and to promote an healthy and correct nutrition for the prevention of various pathologies. 

 Pics by Pixabay and Nieddittas