This month the focus of our newsletter is on our partners´ work in Médio Juruá, in Amazonas state where the sustainable fishing of Pirarucu has helped increase conservation and improve livelihoods for the communities involved. Please also read about the use of innovative methodologies to measure the impact of our work taking into consideration not only environmental and biodiversity conservation data but also community well-being. As I write this, all but a few of USAID/Brazil's staff is teleworking and has postponed all travel due to COVID-19. I know that most of our partners have also taken the necessary precautions to help contain this unprecedented pandemic. Please take care of yourselves and follow all health guidelines to stay safe and to protect friends, family and community.
Best,
Ted Gehr
Sustainable Territories Communities agree on methodology to evaluate project
Quilombola and riverine people from eight communities in the municipalities of Oriximiná, Terra Santa and Faro participated in meetings to approve the “Social Progress Index” (SPI). The methodology is used to measure the impact of public and private investments on the well-being of communities and the environment, and to monitor the actions that have been developed under the Sustainable Territories Program (STP).
Pirarucu management at Médio Juruá boosts fishing season
Fishing brought together 37 communities from the Uacari Sustainable Development Reserve, the Médio Juruá Extractive Reserve, the Xeruã River Deni Indigenous Land, and the Carauari Fisheries Agreement. In total, over 280 families took part in fishing and made over R$570,000.
Class of 2020 of the PPA acceleration program begins its journey
Fifteen new participants of the Partnership Platform for the Amazon took part in the first workshop of the new cycle. The objetive was to evaluate their business model and how to better design it to maximize positive impact.
USAID Assistant Administrator for Latin America and the Caribbean visits Brazil
Between January 27 and 31, Mr. John Barsa, USAID's Assistant Administrator for Latin America and the Caribbean, visited Brasilia and Boa Vista to learn about USAID's projects in Brazil. During his visit, Mr. Barsa met with Brazilian government officials and USAID/Brazil implementing partners.
Médio Juruá Territory Forum presents progress in the region The Forum is an important body in organizing community and conservation activities in the Medio Jurua region, and coordinating actions between different partners. The forum works to improve the quality of life of traditional peoples and communities, expand value chains, and increase conservation of biodiversity in their territory.
USAID/Brazil is looking for a Project Development Specialist to work on environment, biodiversity and climate change, at the US Embassy in Brasilia. See details here.
Partnership Platform for the Amazon (PPA) launches website on Private Sector Partnerships for Amazon Conservation – The website showcases the main results of the event that brought together over 170 participants in November 2019 and marked the expansion of the PPA in the state of Pará.
"Promoting Wellbeing for Indigenous People in Roraima" marks 40 years of sustainable indigenous cattle production in Roraima state - Led by the International Education Institute of Brazil (IEB), Nature and Culture International (NCI), and the Roraima Indigenous Council (CIR) with support from USAID, “Bem Viver” aims to improve the territorial governance and environmental management of indigenous lands in Roraima and promote income generation through the sustainable development of the livestock productive chain, while conserving their territory.
Sustainable Territories Program (PTS) representatives meet to discuss a work plan for 2020 – Representatives of the PTS organizations met in January to discuss changes in the program governance and discuss the activities for the next two years.
