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4. Programs
Partnership Funds
The Program that raised the most funding for FUNBIO was the Partnership Funds Program. Of the total amount committed by December 2000, on the order of US$2.6 million, private institutions provided approximately US$1 million.
The aim of the partnership funds is to provide associated funding for projects of common interest to partner institutions in priority thematic areas for the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity in Brazil. Each fund consists of a donation by the partner (a minimum of 50% of the project’s total value), matched by FUNBIO. In absolute terms, this donation must be at least US$200 thousand, but there is no upper limit to the allocation of resources for these funds.
The projects supported by the partnership funds can be proposed by one of the partners or selected from a call for projects and should fit into one of the following areas: direct and/or indirect use of genetic and biological resources; and creation or implementation of conservation units (public or private).
Call for Projects 01/98 (called the formation of Partnership Funds), launched in October 1998, remained open to new proposals throughout the year 2000. The process of negotiating the partnership funds will conclude its first phase in 2001, having reached the US$5 million threshold. Thus, FUNBIO will have met its contractual obligations to the World Bank in order to receive the second portion of the donation from the GEF, i.e., US$10 million.
Six new proposals were received in 2000 within the scope of this Call for Projects, and various proposals presented in 1999 were also approved during this period.
Projects from the Partnership funds Program |
Project: Environmental Education and Recovery of the Atlantic Forest in the Rio Doce Valley
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Location: Aimorés (Minas Gerais State, on the border with Espírito Santo State)
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Project Executor: Instituto Terra
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Objectives: Develop an educational and research process focused on recovering degraded areas, using the forest recovery activities to be conducted on the Bulcão Farm as demonstration and study areas, providing back-up for research and education.
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Starting date: January 2000
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Contracted value: R$ 1,748,429.17
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Value spent: R$ 318,843
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Evaluation: The project underwent an initial phase involving the organization of staff and facilities. Recovery activities began in the demonstration modules and with the construction of an Environmental Recovery Research Center.
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Project: Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity as an Economic Activity for Coastal Communities in Espírito Santo.
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Location: Espírito Santo State
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Project Executor: Fundação Promar
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Objective: Development of shellfish-raising activities.
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Starting date: March 2000
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Contracted value: R$ 1,053,000.00
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Amount transferred: R$ 50,784.00
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Evaluation: The project was canceled by the FUNBIO Governing Council.
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Project: Cicuta – Recovery of Forest Ecosystems and Environmental Services in the Atlantic Forest along the Middle Paraíba Valley (Rio de Janeiro State)
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Location: Volta Redonda (Rio de Janeiro)
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Project Executor: Fundação CSN (Foundation of the Brazilian National Steel Company)
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Objectives: Recovery of ecosystems adjacent to the Cicuta Forest, combined with environmental education activities, aimed at improved protection of the forest reserve area.
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Starting date: April 2000
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Contracted value: R$ 1,890,000.00
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Value spent: R$ 492,588.00
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Evaluation: The project underwent an initial phase involving staff organization. During the year 2000 the implementation of basic infrastructure was practically concluded for carrying out other activities (construction of the Visitors’ Center, basic renovation of researchers’ facilities and recreational areas, and installation of a seedling nursery).
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Project: Monte Alegre
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Location: Telêmaco Borba (Paraná State)
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Project Executor: Klabin do Paraná Produtos Florestais – KPPF (Klabin Forest Products, Paraná)
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Objectives: Implementation of commercial activity involving biological prospecting combined with conservation of biological diversity in native forest areas, maintained as a legal reserve by the KPPF company.
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Starting date: July 2000
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Contracted value: R$ 5,122,000.00
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Value spent: R$ 240,000.00
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Evaluation: Activities were launched in all the project’s lines of work, although with some delay. The project team expects to make up for this delay in 2001.
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Ford Foundation/FUNBIO Program
Sustainable management of forest resources, introduction of agroforestry systems, and promotion of training and community organization are some of the pro-biodiversity actions developed by the Ford/FUNBIO projects.
One of the Calls for Projects issued in 2000 resulted from the establishment of a Partnership Fund between the Ford Foundation and FUNBIO. Targeting financial support for community-based local sustainable development projects, the Call for Projects determined that the activities be developed in the Amazon and Atlantic Forest biomes. A total of R$1,720,000.00 was allocated for the Fund. This Call for Projects resulted in 11 proposals, of which nine were approved and contracted.
Among the main products involved in these projects are various tropical fruit species (like banana, jackfruit, pineapple, genipap, and cashew), vegetables, spices, coffee, medicinal plants, hearts of palm, and piassaba, in addition to handicrafts using arumã and wood. All of these activities are carried out by traditional local communities.
Projects from the Ford/FUNBIO Partnership
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Project: Participatory Management of Natural and Forest Resources – Building a Sustainable Development Proposal in Rural Communities in the Itacaré-Serra Grande Region
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Location: southern Bahia State
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Project Executor: IESB
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Partners: 1) Marambaia Farmers’ Association (Rural Association); 2) Camboinha Farmers’ Association (Rural Association); 3) Serra Grande Farmers’ Association (Rural Association); 4) Bahia State Work Cooperative (COOTEBA) (Technical Assistance Cooperative); 5) Una Farmers’ Cooperative (COOPERUNA) (Farm Produce Cooperative); 6) Center for Environmental Resources (CRA)
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Objectives: Improve living conditions in rural communities in the Itacaré- Serra Grande Environmental Protection Area, while preserving the forests and natural resources.
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Starting date: September 1, 2000
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Contracted value: R$ 238,082.96
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Value spent: R$ 59,409.97
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Evaluation: 1st evaluation pending
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Project: Synergism for Sustainability and Citizenship in the Amazon and Atlantic Forests
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Location: Novo Airão, Amazonas State
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Number of beneficiaries: 15 thousand
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Project Executor: Fundação Vitória Amazônica
FVA
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Partners: 1) Municipal Government, Sete Barras, São Paulo; 2) Association of Residents and Friends of the Guapiruvu Neighborhood (AGUA); 3) Association of Craftspersons, Novo Airão (AANA); 4) Municipal Government, Boa Vista do Ramos, Amazonas; 5) Federal Agrotechnical School in Manaus (EAFM); 6) String Instrument Crafts School of the Amazon (OELA); 7) Boa Vista do Ramos Crafts Association (AABVR); 8) Community Association of Farmers and Extractors of Forest Products (ACAF)
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Objectives: Develop a sustainable economic alternative for a local craftspersons’ association based on harvesting, processing, and transforming plant fibers.
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Starting date: Sept. 1, 2000
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Contracted value: R$ 144,460.00
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Value spent: R$ 27,450.00
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Evaluation: 1st evaluation pending
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Project: Synergism for Sustainability and Citizenship in the Amazon and Atlantic Forests
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Location: Boa Vista do Ramos, Amazonas State
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Number of beneficiaries: 12 thousand, in 43 communities
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Project Executor: Imaflora
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Partners: 1) Municipal Government, Sete Barras (SP); 2) Association of Residents and Friends of the Guapiruvu Neighborhood (AGUA); 3) Association of Craftspersons, Novo Airão (AANA); 4) Municipal Government, Boa Vista do Ramos, Amazonas; 5) Federal Agrotechnical School in Manaus (EAFM); 6) String Instrument Crafts School of the Amazon (OELA); 7) Boa Vista do Ramos Crafts Association (AABVR); 8) Community Association of Farmers and Extractors of Forest Products (ACAF)
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Objectives: Promote a participatory process in the definition of Agenda 21; transform the existing lumbering system into a sustainable forestry system; develop a Business Plan for the production of certified forest-friendly wooden objects.
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Starting date: Sept. 1, 2000
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Contracted value: R$ 138,820.00
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Value spent: R$ 22,375.00
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Evaluation: 1st evaluation pending
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Project: Synergism for Sustainability and Citizenship in the Amazon and Atlantic Forests
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Location: Ribeira Valley, São Paulo State
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Number of beneficiaries: 150 families
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Project Executor: Vitae Civilis
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Partners: 1) Municipal Government, Sete Barras (SP); 2) Association of Residents and Friends of the Guapiruvu Neighborhood (AGUA); 3) Association of Craftspersons, Novo Airão (AANA); 4) Municipal Government, Boa Vista do Ramos, Amazonas; 5) Federal Agrotechnical School in Manaus (EAFM); 6) String Instrument Crafts School of the Amazon (OELA); 7) Boa Vista do Ramos Crafts Association (AABVR); 8) Community Association of Farmers and Extractors of Forest Products (ACAF)
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Objectives: Promote the conservation and sustainable use of the Atlantic Forest by strengthening partnerships between NGOs and local communities and bolstering forest management, ecological studies, and certification initiatives to consolidate the use of medicinal plants and handicrafts as sustainable economic alternatives.
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Starting date: Sept. 1, 2000
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Contracted value: R$ 166,340.00
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Value spent: R$ 35,940.00
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Evaluation: 1st evaluation pending
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Project: Economic Sustainability Based on Enhancement of Biological Diversity in Family Farming Systems
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Location: central-southern Paraná State
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Number of beneficiaries: 419 thousand, in 22 municipalities
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Project Executor: ASPTA
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Objectives: Expand actions for the promotion and economic consolidation of family farming systems.
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Starting date: Sept. 6, 2000
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Contracted value: R$ 137,500.00
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Value spent: R$ 10,139.00
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Evaluation: 1st evaluation pending
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Project: Economic Sustainability Based on Enhancement of Biological Diversity in Family Farming Systems
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Location: Prado – southernmost region of Bahia State
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Number of beneficiaries: 2000 families, in 25 land settlements
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Project Executor: Terra Viva
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Objectives: Expand actions for the promotion and economic consolidation of family farming systems.
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Starting date: Sept. 6, 2000
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Contracted value: R$ 107,863.00
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Value spent: R$ 14,660.00
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Evaluation: 1st evaluation pending
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Project: Economic Sustainability Based on Enhancement of Biological Diversity in Family Farming Systems
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Location: Zona da Mata, Minas Gerais State
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Number of beneficiaries: 1,900 families
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Project Executor: CTA – ZM
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Objectives: Expand actions for the promotion and economic consolidation of family farming systems.
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Starting date: Sept. 6, 2000
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Contracted value: R$ 98,500.00
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Value spent: R$ 34,033.10
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Evaluation: 1st evaluation pending
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Project: Handicrafts Production and Sustainable Management of Natural Resources by Communities in the Tapajós-Arapiuns Extractive Reserve
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Location: Santarém, Pará State
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Number of beneficiaries: 85 families, in two communities
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Project Executor: IPAM
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Partners: 1) Nuquini Community Association (ASCON); 2) Small Farmers’ Association, from Amorim to Vista Alegre, Tapajós River Valley (AMPRAVAT)
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Objectives: Establish community workshops for the production of household utensils using wood and plant fibers, oils, and dyes; draft a community forest resources management plan.
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Starting date: Dec. 4, 2000
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Contracted value: R$ 89,700.00
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Value spent: R$ 7,327.00
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Evaluation: 1st evaluation pending
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Project: Sustainability and Forest Certification in the Atlantic Forest
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Location: Atlantic Forest
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Number of beneficiaries: NA
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Project Executor: SOS Mata Atlântica (Atlantic Forest Coalition)
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Partners: 1) National Council of the Atlantic Forest Biosphere Reserve; 2) IMAFLORA; 3) IESB
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Objectives: Promote the sustainable management of forest resources in the Atlantic Forest; train local communities, auditors, and small farmers; draft guidelines for forest certification.
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Starting date: Sept. 4, 2000
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Contracted value: R$ 354,440.90
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Value spent: R$ 50,066.66
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Evaluation: 1st evaluation pending
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Program to Support Sustainable Production (PAPS)
The Program to Promote Sustainable Production directly reaches some 3,000 families in three different Brazilian biomes, thereby improving their quality of life.
The Program to Support Sustainable Production (PAPS) helps empower small-scale innovative initiatives already under way that are linked to the sustainable use of biological diversity. By investing in projects that are receiving funding from other organizations, FUNBIO avoids the interruption of these initiatives, fostering expansion of the projects’ scope.
During an experimental stage, PAPS funded three projects, all of which were concluded during the year 2000, providing approximately R$ 240 thousand in funds. Based on this pilot experience, FUNBIO issued the first call for projects under the Program to Support Sustainable Production – PAPS (ED 01/00), which allocated a total of R$ 1 million 300 thousand in funds. Of the 32 proposals presented, 10 were selected for funding in the first phase of the Program, which involved a diagnosis and drafting of a strategic plan.
The Business Plan methodology used by the PAPS has shown that projects presenting an alternative to economic activities with a high environmental impact can achieve commercial success, expanding the capacity to generate work and income for local populations. By analyzing the project executor’s environmental sustainability, economic feasibility, and management capability and the market characteristics associated with these projects, the Business Plan helps spawn a proposal for consistent financial support, in keeping with the project’s funding needs, thereby favoring its chances of success.
Among the positive results of the projects financed by PAPS are the reduction in pressure on surviving forests, creation of forest corridors, sustainable management of coastal resources for the recovery of fishing resources, and implementation of agroforestry systems, helping ensure maintenance of biological diversity and avoiding erosion. From the social point of view, there is major family involvement in agroextractive activities and increased income for the population with the sustainable production of natural resources as an alternative to predatory practices.
The second phase of PAPS will be developed in 2001 and will consist of a review of the Business Plans drafted by the projects in order to select those that will receive FUNBIO support for the following stage, involving implementation of the respective strategic plan.
Projects in the Program to Support Sustainable Production (PAPS)
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Project: Management of Quilombola* Territories [*Descendants of Escaped Slaves, or Maroon Communities] – Introducing the Quilombola Brand Name
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Location: Oriximiná, Pará State
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Number of beneficiaries: 770 families in 27 communities
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Project Executor: CPI-SP
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Partners: 1) EMBRAPA - Eastern Amazonia, Emílio Goeldi Museum, Pará School of Agricultural Sciences, Foundation for Research Support and Development; 2) Brazilian Institute for Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (IBAMA)/Saracá-Taquera National Forest; 3) Fala Preta (Organization of Black Women); obs.: partnership with IMAFLORA under negotiation.
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Objectives: Define a Business Plan for launching the Quilombola Brazil nut brand name in order to market the product abroad; certification plan for Brazil nuts produced by the quilombolas, descendants of escaped slaves.
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Starting date: Nov. 1, 2000
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Value contracted in the 1st phase: R$ 29,648.21
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Value spent: R$ 12,890.53
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Project: Support for Community Organizations and Handicrafts Producers’ Associations in Saco do Mamanguá
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Location: Paraty, Rio de Janeiro State
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Number of beneficiaries: 120 families
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Project Executor: AMAM
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Partners: 1) Antônio Diegues (Coordinator, NUPAUB-USP); 2) Virgílio Vianna (Coordinator, LASTROP)
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Objectives: Organize production and marketing of caixeta wood handicrafts; stimulate and develop ecotourism in mangrove areas.
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Starting date: Nov. 22, 2000
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Value contracted in the 1st phase: R$ 28,750.00
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Value spent: R$ 12,500.00
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Project: Sustainable Exploration of Native Medicinal and Aromatic Plants in Quilombola Communities in the Ribeira Valley, São Paulo State
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Location: Ribeira Valley, São Paulo State
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Number of beneficiaries: 100 families
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Project Executor: Associação Quilombo de Ivaporunduva
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Partners: Ivaporunduva Quilombo Association; São Paulo State Foundation for Conservation and Production; Federal University in Santa Catarina; Paulista State University (UNESP); University of São Paulo – NUPAUB; Forest Foundation (Fundação Florestal).
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Objectives: Empower the traditional extraction and use of medicinal plants; quality assessment of resulting products; develop market surveys; implement an infrastructure for local processing of produce; train farmers to process medicinal products.
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Starting date: Sept. 28, 2000
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Value contracted in the 1st phase: R$ 26,400.00
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Value spent: R$ 12,000.00
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Project: Consolidation of the Cananéia Oyster Producers’ Cooperative
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Location: Cananéia, São Paulo State
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Number of beneficiaries: 43 families
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Project Executor: COOPEROSTRA
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Partners: 1) São Paulo State Foundation for Conservation and Production; 2) Fishery Institute; 3) Gaia Environmental Center for Ecological Studies; 4) NUPAUB – USP
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Objectives: Reach the consumer market with the oysters produced; improve the cooperative production and management system; environmental certification.
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Starting date: Sept. 29, 2000
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Value contracted in the 1st phase: R$ 26,950.00
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Value spent: R$ 12,250.00
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Project: Improvement of Production and Marketing Processes for Vegetable Oils from Communities in the Tapajós National Forest (Pará State)
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Location: Tapajós National Forest, Santarém, Pará State
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Number of beneficiaries: 78 families in 9 communities
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Project Executor: ASMIPRUT
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Partners: 1) Tapajós Inter-Community Association (AITA); 2) Belterra Rural Workers’ Association (STR B); 3) Health and Happiness Project (Projeto Saúde and Alegria).
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Objectives: Identify the market potential for andiroba and copaíba oils and by-products; feasibility study for community processing of products; identify storage, packaging, and preservation conditions; conduct training in all phases of the production process.
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Starting date: Nov. 1, 2000
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Value contracted in 1st phase: R$ 25,687.00
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Value spent: R$ 10,703.00
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Project: The Savannah [Cerrado] is Life
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Location: São Raimundo das Mangabeiras, Maranhão State
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Number of beneficiaries: 100 families
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Project Executor: COOPEVIDA
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Partners: 1) Amazonian Work Group (GTA); 2) Carajás Forum; 3) National Rubber-Tappers’ Council (CNS); 4) Rural Workers’ Center for Education and Culture (CENTRU-MA).
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Objectives: Process agroextractive production of cashew nuts; technical assistance; social organization and income generation; environmental conservation strategy within the project’s scope of action.
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Starting date: Nov. 1, 2000
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Value contracted in the 1st phase: R$ 27,600.00
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Value spent: R$ 11,500.00
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Project: Fruits of the Savannah [Cerrado] - Consolidation of Produce Processing in the Villages Associated with Vyty-Cati
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Location: States of Tocantins and Maranhão
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Number of beneficiaries: 5 indigenous communities
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Project Executor: CTI
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Partners: DED - German Service for Technical and Social Cooperation
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Objectives: Promote and support harvesting of native fruits; improve processing and storage of fruit pulp; transportation of climatized fruit; product standardization and certification; youth training; technical assistance.
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Starting date: Nov. 1, 2000
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Value contracted in 1st phase: R$ 32,013.36
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Value spent: R$ 13,338.90
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Project: Economic Feasibility of Agroecological Coffee-Growing in the Area Adjacent to the Caratinga Biology Station, Minas Gerais State
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Location: Caratinga, Minas Gerais State
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Number of beneficiaries: 300 families
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Project Executor: REDE
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Partners (note: partnerships to be formally consolidated: 1) Biodiversitas Foundation; 2) Caratinga Biology Station; 3) Caratinga Educational Foundation; 4) Presbyterian Society for Education and Research; 5) EMATER; 6) Federal University in Viçosa; 7) Mary Lucca Chagas State School.
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Objectives: Disseminate agroecological coffee-growing systems; implement processing structures; train the association for produce management and marketing.
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Starting date: Nov. 1, 2000
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Value contracted in the first phase: R$ 23,874.00
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Value spent: R$ 10,380.00
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Project: Economic Dynamics and Sustainable Use of Agrobiodiversity: a strategic interface in the family farming development process in central-southern Paraná State.
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Location: southern Paraná State
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Number of beneficiaries: 390 families
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Project Executor: CODEC / ASPTA
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Partners: AS-PTA (Consultancy and Services for Projects in Alternative Agriculture)
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Objectives: Processing and direct marketing of black beans and other foodstuffs; diagnosis of obstacles and needs in the project; systematize and publish the results.
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Starting date: Nov. 17, 2000
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Value contracted in 1st phase: R$ 21,600.00
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Value spent: R$ 9,000.00
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FUNBIO Strategic Studies – This set of activities focuses on maintaining the proactive stance in FUNBIO’s work, especially by generating back-up and resource materials for fundraising and promotional areas. During the year 2001, two strategic studies will be selected and developed whose results may, based on a decision by the Governing Council, become areas of activity for FUNBIO: one on carbon sinks and another on activities in areas adjacent to conservation units.
Better Practices in Ecotourism (BPE)
Ecotourism is an excellent economic alternative for communities living in places with peculiar natural beauty, besides including important components for conservation of biological diversity.
FUNBIO began to investigate ecotourism as a potential work area in 1999, within the "Strategic Studies Program", with the aim of seeking new fields of activity for the Fund. Research pointed to a gap in the training of teams working in ecotourism projects, usually consisting of local community members.
The answer to this issue was the development of a training program for Best Practices in Ecotourism (BPE), with the objective of defining a set of "best practices" serving as a reference for ecotourism projects located in remote areas of Brazil. The program proposes to prepare and train various groups in loco who are directly or indirectly related to the environment and tourism and are interested in turning ecotourism into a sustainable economic alternative.
Training planned under the program Best Practices in Ecotourism involves the preparation of multidisciplinary teams (with varied skills and expertise) to act as instructors, in addition to training local community members in best operational and financial practices in ecotourism and specialized tourism. Partnerships are needed to develop this program, budgeted at R$1,823,430.
In order to debate this program and present it to potential funders, FUNBIO held a meeting in Brasília in May 2000, with participation by consultants and representatives from government promotional and funding agencies. BPE was evaluated positively by part of the 26 participants, and from that event onward the prospects began to materialize for establishing partnerships.
By late 2000 BPE included three partners: FINEP (Funding Agency for Studies and Projects), which committed R$ 410 thousand to the project; Bank of the Amazon (BASA) with R$ 180 thousand, and FUNBIO itself, with R$ 200 thousand, totaling some R$ 600 thousand. In 2001 the program activities will focus on seeking new partners to complete the necessary financial resources, forming the BPE executive secretariat, and initiating the training work.
Proposals Submitted to the 1996-97 Call for Projects
The 1996-97 Call for Projects approved 10 projects and allocated a total of some 1.2 million dollars in funding by FUNBIO for biodiversity conservation projects..
Of the proposals approved under the 1996-97 Call for Projects, only two had still not been concluded by December 2000. The others were finalized in 1999. Operations during this pilot phase of FUNBIO were crucial not only for the experience acquired by the institution but also in terms of the conservation of Brazilian biological diversity.
With an average duration of 22 months, this group of projects, launched in late 1997, handled approximately US$ 1.8 million in funds2, with US$ 1.2 million provided by FUNBIO and US$ 660 thousand as matching funds by the institutions conducting the projects. In order to evaluate this first experience by FUNBIO in project funding, the “Seminar for the Evaluation of Projects Supported by the Brazilian Biodiversity Fund under the 1996-97 Call for Projects” was held in July 2000.
The event included participation by representatives from eight projects (two were absent), plus two advisors, members of the Executive Secretariat, and guest participants committed to various environmental causes. The challenge was to evaluate the results, determining to what degree the Convention for Biological Diversity’s principles were implemented by the Fund. In addition, the seminar served as an important tool for sharing experiences and learning processes and to jointly evaluate FUNBIO as a project funder.
Seminar participants presented suggestions for the monitoring and evaluation of future work by FUNBIO, emphasizing the need for closer monitoring of projects by way of regular visits, more flexible control based on project specificity, with the objective of facilitating project execution, encouragement for exchange of experiences among the project executors, and greater rigor in drafting calls for projects and project selection, with a view towards successful funding prospects.
Based on the results of this seminar, the institution will be able to review its experience promoting projects, which will be consolidated in a document to be published shortly by FUNBIO.
1996-97 Call for projects
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Project: Conservation and Sustained Use of Natural Resources in Central-Western Paraná State
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Location: central-western Paraná State
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Project Executor: Fundação RURECO
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Objectives: Implement activities in conservation and sustained use of natural resources by groups of family farmers in the above region (municipalities in the region o Guarapuava).
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Starting date: December 1997
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Contracted value: R$ 167,513.00
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Value spent: R$ 160,298.24
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Evaluation: Overall the project has been achieving its goals, conducting activities in conservation and sustained use through various training courses provided to families and leaders in the project area. The type of relationship established with the project beneficiaries is one of the most promising aspects, and a healthy partnership has been established with local farmer organizations in the project implementation, by which RURECO has not replaced or overshadowed the farmers’ own organization.
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Project: Stopping Genetic Erosion in Agriculture: Recovery, Conservation, and Sustained Use of Traditional Crop Varieties by Communities of Small Farmers
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Location: States of Paraíba, Minas Gerais, Rio Grande do Sul, and Paraná
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Project Executor: AS-PTA (Consultancy and Services for Projects in Alternative Agriculture)
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Partners: Minas Network, CTA, AS-PTA/PB, AS-PTA/PR
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Objectives: Recover, classify, and evaluate material in corn, beans, and manioc; conservation of materials “on farm” and in seed banks; systematize results as the basis for improving participatory methodologies for the conservation and sustainable use of genetic recourses in agriculture and for proposing public policies aimed at disseminating this experience.
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Starting date: May 1998
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Contracted value: R$ 446,286.00
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Value spent: R$406,286.00
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Evaluation: The objectives have been achieved, with positive impacts in retrieving and characterizing traditional crop varieties. Outstanding positive results include identification of experienced farmers, recognition of farmers’ knowledge concerning local crop varieties, and especially intervention in public policies.
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7. Prospects
In 2001, FUNBIO has inherited a series of tasks that need to be completed and that relate to its transition as an autonomous and efficient nongovernmental organization. In addition to concluding this reorganization cycle, FUNBIO must adopt strategies to raise new funds from different sources and to enhance its activities and train its professional staff. All these are major challenges for the year.
Various new and complementary fundraising strategies need to be adopted. The most immediate strategy will be the continued establishment of partnership funds, seeking to raise resources from different domestic and foreign sources to support projects in the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity that are of interest to both FUNBIO and its partners, thereby leveraging the remaining resources available to the Fund from the GEF (US$ 10 million). This means concluding negotiations and formalizing the necessary number of partnerships to commit the total resources made available under the call for projects to form partnership funds, reaching the goal of US$ 5 million in funds for projects through this modality.
Still, FUNBIO needs to move beyond the partnership funds. Such funds stimulate participation by the private sector and help catalyze resources, but they do not ensure FUNBIO’s medium- and long-term sustainability. It is important to identify other opportunities for capitalizing the Fund in order to ensure the continuity of its work. FUNBIO must therefore seek and establish relations with other institutions, especially those that support national environment funds.
Another complementary trend should ensure the proper application and yield of both current and new funds. In this sense, careful ongoing evaluation is of the utmost importance, redirecting the work by the manager of the financial assets made available to FUNBIO.
Likewise, it is important to build relational networks between FUNBIO and certain specific groups, with a view towards developing particular programs or projects. This initiative differs from the partnership funds in that the themes and programs are not proposed by the partners, but by FUNBIO, generally as the result of the development of its Strategic Studies program. The best example of this possibility is the Program for Best Practices in Ecotourism. Relevant themes to be explored in the short term are areas adjacent to conservation units, carbon sinks, and sharing benefits generated by access to biological resources.
If successfully handled, all these fronts can bring new financial resources to FUNBIO and ensure the continuity of its future operations. This should also mean an increase in the number of projects to be funded for the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity. Yet quantity alone is not enough. The quality of these projects must be guaranteed, verifying whether the initiatives are actually achieving their objectives. Hence the development and implementation of a plan involving indicators for monitoring and evaluating projects, aimed at both measuring and encouraging their efficacy.
FUNBIO also wishes to diversify and geographically expand its work, fostering the development of initiatives in areas of Brazil that lack attention and support, increasing the number of projects funded in biomes such as the caatinga (scrub forest), the coastal zone, and the araucaria (Brazilian or Paraná pine) area.
FUNBIO further plans to have the Program to Support Sustainable Production serve as a line of continuous support for projects developed by micro-level economic agents, helping ensure their market survival and relieving poverty and its detrimental impact on the environment.
All these project areas mean taking advantage of opportunities to work proactively, seeking partnerships, fostering synergies, and catalyzing efforts and resources. However, it also highlights the need to increase the qualifications of the Fund’s professional team to meet these challenges. In this sense, it is important to develop an efficient human resources management program to ensure the preparation of staff members needed for the goal of growing with quality. This in turn depends on qualified people, prepared to lead this process.
The Executive Secretariat of FUNBIO trusts that it will be capable of adequately dealing with these challenges, contributing to the satisfactory conclusion of its first stage and opening a new and promising page in the life of the institution.
Pedro Leitão
Executive Director
RedLac – The training opportunities created by FUNBIO’s participation in the Latin American and Caribbean Network of National Environmental Funds (REDLAC) have proven promising. REDLAC is a collaborative network consisting of national funds, aimed at providing for opportunities in cooperation and cost-sharing, systematizing and exchanging information, training, and learning. In addition to FUNBIO, the other Brazilian fund belonging to REDLAC is the National Environment Fund (FNMA). The exchange of information and experiences and the learning process take place through the Network’s website and its annual meetings. The meeting in 2001 will be held in Rio de Janeiro (October) and should be organized jointly by FUNBIO and FNMA.
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