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Cundinamarca: School Feeding Program – “PAE Nuestro”, a Differential Model with a Community and Territorial Approach

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PAE Nuestro is a departmental model derived from the School Feeding Program (PAE) in Cundinamarca, which has positioned the department as a pioneer in Colombia in transforming this service through a territorial and community-based approach. Promoted by the Government of Cundinamarca, it links ASOJUNTAS (community associations of local boards) as operators through solidarity agreements, allowing the community to participate in, manage, and take responsibility for service delivery.

The initiative emerged as a response to the needs of non-certified municipalities, where the administration of the public education service depends on the departmental government. This is especially relevant in rural and dispersed territories facing access barriers, logistical limitations, and poverty that affect school attendance and retention. In these contexts, school meals are crucial for students’ well-being, learning, attendance, and educational continuity.

Since 2024, PAE Nuestro has evolved from a pilot initiative to a progressively expanding program. In 2024, it served 2,473 students in 12 institutions and 74 school sites, with an investment of COP $454,928,320. In 2025, it reached 8,031 students across 11 municipalities, covering 23 institutions and 165 sites, with an investment of COP $11,060,506,436. By 2026, the program expanded to 19 municipalities, 40 departmental educational institutions, 296 sites, and nearly 16,000 students, with an investment of COP $17,414,317,880. This progression demonstrates the model’s adaptability, scalability, and sustainability.

Among its main achievements is the replacement of industrialized snacks with on-site prepared lunches, providing 30% of daily nutritional requirements, improving the quality, acceptance, and relevance of the service. This change also reduced food waste and contributed to lowering school dropout rates. The program also strengthened the purchase of fresh food from local farmers and producers, through coordination with the Agency for Commercialization and Innovation, promoting short supply chains, improving food freshness, and enabling timely payments.

The model has also strengthened the capacities of ASOJUNTAS through technical, legal, administrative, and financial training; generated local employment; and incorporated systems of auditing, monitoring, quality control, active listening, and accountability. With the participation of communities, families, school principals, municipal governments, citizen oversight groups, and internal control bodies, PAE Nuestro demonstrates that a public policy can simultaneously improve school nutrition, stimulate the rural economy, and strengthen transparency and trust.

More information:
https://www.cundinamarca.gov.co/dependencias/seceducacio

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Cundinamarca: School Feeding Program – “PAE Nuestro”, a Differential Model with a Community and Territorial Approach

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