The "Freedom Crickets" is an innovative cross-sectoral social business intervention program for the tertiary prevention of crime that uses a prison cricket farming to increase young people deprived of liberty’s reintegration prospects. It intertwines social inclusion, crime prevention and fight against climate change inside Leiria Youth Prison, in Portugal and is implemented by Aproximar, Cooperativa de Solidariedade Social.
Freedom Crickets offers an innovative and future-oriented VET curriculum that empowers these young people to adapt to changing labour market demands, including those more innovative, environmentally sustainable, and circular such as edible insect market. Edible insects are an emerging industry in the EU, offering employment opportunities for Europeans. This growing sector involves the development of innovative working methods and the acquisition of new skills and competencies.
It is focuses on using a combination of an innovative education training and work-based experience for enhancing the reintegration of young adults that are deprived of liberty. Through the sustainable production of insect-based protein, specifically crickets, the program combines different methods to develop youth’s personal, social, emotional and employment skills that are key life areas that increase protective factors and reduce recidivism. This cricket farm was the first in the country to be licensed for cricket farming intended for human and animal consumption.
Freedom Crickets offers an innovative and future-oriented VET curriculum that empowers these young people to adapt to changing labour market demands, including those more innovative, environmentally sustainable, and circular such as edible insect market. Edible insects are an emerging industry in the EU, offering employment opportunities for Europeans. This growing sector involves the development of innovative working methods and the acquisition of new skills and competencies.
It is focuses on using a combination of an innovative education training and work-based experience for enhancing the reintegration of young adults that are deprived of liberty. Through the sustainable production of insect-based protein, specifically crickets, the program combines different methods to develop youth’s personal, social, emotional and employment skills that are key life areas that increase protective factors and reduce recidivism. This cricket farm was the first in the country to be licensed for cricket farming intended for human and animal consumption.
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The program runs since 2021 and each year involves a group of 14 young inmates who, while serving their sentences, participate in daily training on life skills and managing and working at a cricket farm. Through a work-based learning scheme following flexible learning pathways in line with the young people's needs, Freedom Crickets upskills in a future-driven employment.
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After being release these young people are matched with a mentor in their communities (Aproximar M4All program).
Freedom Crickets is also a social business, being part of the social and solidarity economy (SSE). The income generated is used to reinvest in the program. At long-term, the objective of Aproximar with the income generated is to open a half-way house for these young people. |
"Freedom Crickets" also addresses environmental sustainability. Cricket farming is highly efficient, requiring far fewer resources—such as food, water, and space—compared to traditional livestock farming (cattle, pigs, and poultry). The crickets produced may be introduced into the food chain, offering an alternative and more sustainable protein source, in line with global trends towards more conscious consumption.