Conservation Projects, Measures & Policies: Question 9

Brazil has implemented multiple participatory and inclusive approaches in its conservation projects, centered on free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC) and community involvement. These initiatives aim to ensure that Indigenous peoples, local communities, Afro-descendant populations, women, youth, and people with disabilities are active participants and partners in biodiversity conservation, restoration, and sustainable use.

Participatory Approaches and FPIC

Autonomous Consultation Protocols (RCA, 2019) – The Rede de Cooperação Amazônica (RCA) published a guide on Indigenous consultation protocols, outlining FPIC as a dialogic process between the State and Indigenous peoples. It stresses that consultations must occur in good faith, respect the self-determination and internal governance of each people, and be guided by their own consultation protocols. These protocols ensure that Indigenous communities define how, when, and under what conditions consultations take place, guaranteeing culturally appropriate participation and consent.

The Suruí Carbon Project (Rondônia) – The Paiter-Suruí developed one of the most emblematic FPIC-based initiatives in Brazil. The project’s governance included “communicative events,” documenting internal and interethnic meetings where clans, villages, and traditional leaders sought consensus. Decisions were made collectively, reflecting Suruí temporal and social structures. The process began autonomously, with no external imposition, and achieved 95% community approval during the first general assembly. This case became an international reference for ethical environmental collaboration and Indigenous participation in REDD+ and carbon projects.

Traditional Peoples’ Letter (Pre-COP, 2025) – During Brazil’s Pre-COP conference, 28 traditional peoples and community groups presented a public letter affirming that their territories and knowledge “are not negotiable.” The letter called for direct participation in national climate policies and NDCs (Nationally Determined Contributions) and insisted on the right to veto extractive or energy projects affecting their lands. It also highlighted the central role of women as “guardians of ancestral knowledge” and the need to address their invisibility in climate governance. Youth participation was also emphasized, with demands for access to rural development programs and contextualized education that respects Indigenous and Afro-Brazilian realities.

Quilombola Governance – The “Naturezas Quilombolas” Initiative (2024) – Funded by the Amazon Fund, this program supports Afro-descendant rural communities (quilombolas) in managing their territories sustainably. With more than 7,600 quilombola communities identified in Brazil, these lands are among the most preserved—responsible for only 0.04% of Amazon deforestation in 2023. The initiative provides grants for community-led projects, technical training, and long-term governance structures, recognizing quilombolas as essential allies in forest conservation and climate resilience.

Awareness and Inclusion Programs

Women’s Leadership in Conservation – The Inatú Amazônia network, supported by Idesam, empowers women producers of oils and non-timber forest products. Between 2019 and 2023, it conserved over 2 million hectares, generated R$ 9 million in sales, and trained 167 women leaders. The initiative addresses gender inequality and emphasizes that empowering women strengthens local economies and environmental protection.

Gender and Protected Areas (FUNBIO, 2025) – The COPAÍBAS Program’s report “Gender in Protected Areas” underscores that women play vital roles as knowledge keepers and environmental defenders. It recommends gender parity in park management councils, leadership training, and inclusive scheduling of decision-making meetings. The program aligns with the CBD and Agenda 21, reaffirming that sustainable development is impossible without gender equity and the recognition of racial and class inequalities.

Accessibility and People with Disabilities – The “Nature for All” guide (Instituto Semeia, ICMBio, and Instituto Novo Ser, 2021) highlights the importance of accessibility in protected areas. A 2018 national survey found that only 33% of conservation units included accessibility measures. The guide proposes design adaptations, inclusive communication, and staff training. Case studies, such as Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park, showcase accessible trails and facilities, proving that inclusive tourism enhances both social justice and local economies.

Youth and Intergenerational Participation – Many conservation programs integrate environmental education and youth protagonism. The Pre-COP Letter urged investments in popular education and leadership programs for young people, ensuring transmission of traditional knowledge and long-term stewardship. Projects like Inatú Amazônia also create income opportunities that encourage youth to remain in their communities rather than migrating to urban centers.

Impacts of Promoting Inclusive Participation

1. More Effective Conservation – FPIC-based projects like the Suruí Carbon initiative achieve stronger community buy-in and long-term ecological protection. Quilombola territories’ extremely low deforestation rates demonstrate the success of community-led conservation.

2. Valorization of Knowledge and Innovation – Incorporating traditional knowledge leads to innovative, culturally grounded solutions. Women-led cooperatives merge ancestral extraction techniques with modern sustainable production chains, combining conservation with economic empowerment.

3. Social and Environmental Justice – Recognizing the rights of Indigenous, quilombola, and traditional peoples—particularly their right to veto harmful projects—builds equity and strengthens environmental governance.

4. Youth and Knowledge Succession – Involving young people ensures continuity of cultural practices and environmental stewardship, linking ancestral wisdom to modern conservation science.

5. Accessibility and Broader Support – Making nature accessible to people with disabilities expands public engagement, fostering empathy, inclusion, and broader support for environmental protection.

In conclusion, participatory and inclusive conservation in Brazil has transformed biodiversity governance. Projects grounded in FPIC, gender equity, cultural diversity, and universal accessibility not only safeguard ecosystems but also strengthen democracy, social justice, and community resilience—aligning Brazil’s conservation strategies with the global goals of the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and the UN 2030 Agenda.