In Bela Aurora and Santa Luzia, Brazil, local communities have started replanting native species like the Cupuaçu to turn the rainforest into a sustainable source of food and income.
Deforestation is the main threat to the Amazon biome. In the past 30 years, nearly 1,000,000 km2 of Amazonian forest have been destroyed to make way for pasture areas and soybean crops. Impacting the rain cycle, this leads to more intense, prolonged droughts and increases the risk of natural fires.
Protect, explore & educate
To reverse this situation, the rainforest urgently needs to be restored and maintained. With this objective, in 2017, local farmers in Bela Aurora and Santa Luzia decided to act. Supported by Klorane Botanical Foundation (KBF) and Beraca Institute for the Valorization of Sociobiodiversity (IB), the Sustainable Cupuaçu in the Amazon Project aims to protect the Amazon biome and educate local populations, while helping families produce cupuaçu (Theobroma grandiflorum), a species native to the Amazon, using Agroforestry Systems (SAF).
Collective action with flourishing results
To date, 2,656 cupuaçu seedlings have been planted over 11.85 hectares and produce an average of 77 tons of fruit per harvest. Working as a collective, the farmers have built a seedling nursery, sharing their experiences and testing different eco-agricultural techniques. A group of local women has also created an organic kitchen garden.
Breaking with traditional agricultural methods is a slow process but the collective is determined to return to a more natural and sustainable relationship with nature.
More information about this initiative?
Elsie Gabriel wants to move towards a more ocean- literate society. This young activist has created the Ocean Schools program in India for young people and local communities.
Proper Strand Lopers is a Belgian citizen’s initiative born from a Facebook group. Education and awareness-raising about beach waste is central to this.
Allowing both land and people to flourish, connecting traditional communities in the Amazon area, researchers and environmentally engaged groups is the goal of the Meli Network project. A flourishing cooperation inspired by the Meliponini bees.
To get involved in a collective adventure:
Discover meaningful projects
Choose your preferred project to embark on
Contact the project owner
Discover inspiring initiatives around the world and find innovative solutions
Duplicate the proposed sustainable solutions
Establish new partnerships
Find inspiration and discover new ideas
Connect and share experiences with other innovators around the world
Contact us to propose your project
Discover the innovations carried out by citizens in your CSR fields of action and in the regions of your choice
Support through funding or by providing skills in your areas of expertise
Contact the project leaders
Find inspiring stories of engaged citizens to enrich your editorial work
Help local projects increase their impact and make them known to your audience
Contact the project managers
Discover citizen initiatives around the world
Invest in local projects aligned with your strategy for sustainable development
Contact the project managers