Project supported by Fundo Vale and other funders has already benefited more than 1,800 communities across the Brazilian Amazon region  

Fundo Vale took part in the Second Meeting of the Forest Peoples Connection Network, whose theme was “Integration of Public Policies.” The event was held to discuss integrated solutions involving public policies for the Amazon’s people, in areas such as health, education, protection of land rights and connectivity. More than 200 participants, including indigenous leaders, residents of quilombos (settlements of descendants of runaway slaves), extractive producers, members of riverside communities and representatives of civil society organizations and government bodies, came together between August 6 and 8 in Manaus, Amazonas. 

The meeting was organized by Forest Peoples Connection, a project supported by Fundo Vale, which seeks to connect traditional communities located in protected areas of the Amazon through broadband internet, combining connectivity with digital inclusion, access to healthcare and education, land tenure security and empowerment. 

Over the course of three days, the participants delved into solutions already developed as part of the project and how to connect them to public policies to promote autonomy and access to rights for forest communities. In all, 30 officials from 15 different federal and state government bodies participated, as well as 30 community members from different locations across the region. 

The participants engaged in discussions during plenary and thematic sessions, focusing on topics such as protection of land rights, entrepreneurship and connectivity. On the morning of Friday, August 8, the event wrapped up with the presentation of proposals developed jointly by public officials and civil society representatives. 

The event was attended by officials from the National Telecommunications Agency (Anatel), Federal Public Prosecutors’ Office, Ministry for Racial Equality, Environment and Climate Change Ministry, National Indigenous People’s Foundation (FUNAI), Ministry for Indigenous Peoples and Digital Government Secretariat. Some of the network’s partners also took part, including the Institute for the Amazon’s People and Environment (Imazon), Telemedicine Portal, Sustainable Amazon Foundation and RECODE. 

“The meeting once again showed the importance of collectively building solutions for the Amazon. Collaboration between traditional leaders, public officials and civil society is fundamental to ensure that connectivity arrives with the quality and respect that local communities deserve, expanding their access to rights and public policies. It was inspiring to see the commitment of so many stakeholders to this transformative initiative, which is having a profound impact on so many communities,” said Márcia Soares, Fundo Vale’s Amazon and partnerships manager.  

Meaningful connectivity and access to rights 

“The idea behind the Connection Network is to ensure that connectivity is used consciously and safely to give indigenous peoples, riverside communities, quilombos and extractive producers easier access to their rights. That is why it is essential to integrate the network into public policy development,” said Sabrina Costa, the coordinator of the Forest Peoples Connection Network’s Operations Center. 

More than 1,800 communities are already benefiting from the project’s work. The initiative is led by the National Association of Rural Quilombola Communities (CONAQ), the Association of Indigenous Organizations in the Brazilian Amazon (COIAB) and the National Council of Extractive Communities (CNS), in partnership with more than 50 civil society organizations, public institutions and companies. 

A plurality of voices was one of the highlights of the meeting. “We realized how rich and productive this process has been. Now it is time to implement, strengthen and expand the network within our communities, because we understand the importance of connectivity for education, health, entrepreneurship and visibility,” said José Carlos Galiza, one of CONAQ’s leaders. 

Dione Torquato, CNS’ general secretary, emphasized the importance of integration among all stakeholders to ensure that connectivity is an instrument of transformation. “The idea is to discuss and discover together how we can advance connectivity in Amazonian communities, implement public policies, conduct regional monitoring, boost entrepreneurship and provide high-quality healthcare. We hope that through these dialogues we can forge paths and open up opportunities to enhance connectivity as a tool for work and inclusion. Above all, the goal is to uphold the rights of forest, rural and riverside communities,” she said. 

“One of the main demands of indigenous peoples is protection of their territories, and fast communication is key to this. Accordingly, connectivity has been an important tool that has shown effective results for regional monitoring,” added Alcebias Sapará, COIAB’s deputy coordinator. 

Government recognizes network’s strategic role in public policy  

The president of FUNAI, Joênia Wapichana, took part in the event’s closing panel. She drew attention to the importance of ongoing dialogue between civil society organizations and government institutions. “The internet is a necessity today, but we must be careful about its impacts. Connectivity should unite peoples around public policies,” she said. 

Other representatives of the federal government also reiterated their commitment to the initiative. Valéria Benon, general coordinator for evaluations, quality and user experience at the Ministry for Management and Innovation in Public Services, said that the meeting allowed for active listening to Amazonian citizens and would help enhance the provision of public services in hard-to-reach areas. 

Avanilson Karajá, director of the Department of Mediation and Conciliation of Indigenous Land Conflicts at the Ministry for Indigenous Peoples, highlighted the importance of integration. “May we walk together so that social policies reach local communities with greater force,” he said. 

The second meeting of the Forest Peoples Connection Network reaffirmed its role as a strategic platform to ensure that connectivity is a tool for empowerment and resistance for the Amazon’s peoples in the face of current and future challenges, including climate change. 

About the Forest Peoples Connection Network 

The Forest Peoples Connection Network is an initiative that seeks to bring broadband internet to more than 8,000 indigenous peoples, quilombos, extractive groups and riverside communities in the Brazilian Amazon, combining connectivity and electricity supply with actions for inclusion, security and community strengthening.  

Led by CONAQ, COIAB and CNS, the project brings together more than 50 partner organizations and operates in three broad areas: infrastructure, community control, and digital inclusion and empowerment. The intention is to make connectivity a tool for social transformation, expanding access to healthcare, education and opportunities, while also contributing to forest conservation.