Nurturing Futures - Suyana Foundation: Empowerment & Sustainability:

Nurturing Futures:

The Suyana School

In Peru, despite significant progress in reducing extreme poverty, many rural communities remain impoverished, with 44.5% of the rural population still living below the poverty line compared to 15% in urban areas¹. These communities struggle to access quality education and adapt to the growing challenges of climate change. Agriculture, which supports nearly one-third of Peru’s population², is vital for rural development. However, smallholder farmers face persistent issues like food insecurity, inadequate infrastructure, limited training opportunities, and a lack of accessible technology to improve their resilience.

Objective

The Suyana School offers an innovative approach to addressing rural poverty in Peru through a higher education programme based on the outskirts of Cusco. The aim is to equip young people from rural areas of Peru and other Latin American countries, with technical, productive, and entrepreneurial skills that enable them to access employment in the agricultural sector and build sustainable livelihoods.

By strengthening youth employability, enhancing smallholder farming practices, and promoting climate-resilient agriculture, the programme contributes to a stronger local economy and a healthier environment. These efforts also help reduce migration to urban areas and support long-term rural development.

A People-Centred Approach

Behind each of our projects lies a story of effort, hope, and transformation.
Lelith, a student at the Suyana School, represents hundreds of rural young people who are finding new perspectives through training adapted to their reality.
Through long-term partnerships and strong local commitment, our approach aims to generate sustainable impact in communities that have traditionally been excluded from opportunity.

Activities

The Suyana School offers a three-month residential program with full scholarships for 40 students per cycle. We have three academic cycles per year. Students receive practical and theoretical training in sustainable agriculture, including areas like soil management, organic farming, and livestock care. Courses in business administration, communication, and math equip students for the entrepreneurial challenges of modern agriculture. Participation in regional agricultural fairs gives them exposure to market opportunities and value chains. Through hands-on learning, the program fosters essential skills and an entrepreneurial mindset to help students succeed in agriculture and implement sustainable practices in their communities.

Participation includes meals, accommodation, materials, certification, and opportunities for personal, academic, and professional development.

Outcome and Impact

When we launched the Suyana School in 2024, we knew that true impact goes beyond the classroom. That’s why we monitor and accompany each graduate’s journey — a vital part of measuring long-term transformation.

From the first cohort of 41 students (August–November 2024):

39% are continuing their education or preparing to do so
10% have found permanent employment after graduation
51% returned to their villages and are working independently in agriculture, applying and sharing their knowledge in their communities

The first 2025 cycle, which concluded at the end of March, built on this progress. All 41 students completed their training and developed both life and business plans. Small-scale income-generating projects — such as the sale of organic vegetables and eggs — were successfully launched. With support from the Cusco Psychologists’ Association and our health programme, students also received comprehensive medical, dental, and emotional care.

Thanks to the support of local authorities and our partners, the AtDta and Tauro Foundations, this vision continues to grow — and we warmly welcome others to join us.

Interested in applying to the Suyana School?

If you’re a young person aged 17 to 23 from a rural area in Peru and would like to learn how to join this training programme, visit our admissions page:
Information for Applicants – Suyana School (Spanish)