Capital, science and innovation for a just transition |
At the beginning of the month, the Vale Institute of Technology (ITV) held a series of activities on genomics and the bioeconomy as part of the Brazilian Biodiversity Genomics Program (GBB), an initiative developed in partnership with ICMBio. GBB has become Brazil’s largest genetic mapping initiative focused on the country’s biodiversity, and its relevance extends beyond cutting-edge scientific research. The data generated support public policies and conservation strategies, while also contributing to the development of the bioeconomy.
In the Amazon, the number of biotechnology startups and biodiversity-based assets grew by 400% between 2019 and 2025, according to a study by the São Paulo State Research Foundation (FAPESP) using data from the Amazon Journey initiative. The potential of social and biological diversity is enormous, but we need to expand funding for these initiatives. At the Latin American Open Innovation Case Studies Congress, we presented our work involving Cubo Itaú and the Amazon Bioeconomy and Innovation Park, highlighting the importance of providing infrastructure for entrepreneurs working on forest and climate issues and connecting them with investors.
The highlights of this newsletter point in the same direction: how can we turn nature into value without reducing it to raw materials? How can we finance production models that are safer for the climate and biodiversity and fairer for communities?
This perspective connects with the theme of the panel we will participate in at Impact Minds 2026, a Latimpacto conference taking place in Manaus from September 8 to 11. At an event that brings together investors and strategic players from the Latin America and Caribbean ecosystem, Fundo Vale will discuss financing initiatives that strengthen autonomy in communities.
In our conversation with Juliana Dib of the Forest Peoples Connection Network, she reinforces this message by saying, “Working as a network allows us to pool knowledge, resources and technical capabilities. However, we believe it is essential for this process to begin and end with communities taking the lead.”
During an event in Chile, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) showed that the transition to resilient food systems depends on credit that is suited to agricultural cycles and local realities, as well as collective organization, technical assistance and financial risk sharing.
What these agendas have in common is that the potential and resources already exist. The challenge is to connect them, without forgetting that a sustainable, fair and inclusive economy is built through investments that generate shared benefits.
We hope you enjoy this edition.
Patrícia Daros, director, Fundo Vale
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2026 Latimpacto conference |
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Fundo Vale — a founding member of Latimpacto — is proud to sponsor and participate in this conference, to be held in Manaus from September 8 to 11. The event will draw on diverse experiences to strengthen connections among participants and increase the effectiveness of social and environmental solutions in Latin America and the Caribbean |
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Open innovation for the Amazon
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The Amazon Bioeconomy and Innovation Park and Amazon at Cubo Itaú initiatives, made possible with support from Fundo Vale, were presented at the 5ᵗʰ Latin American Open Innovation Case Studies Congress |
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Genomics and Sociobioeconomy
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Workshop by Vale Institute of Technology (ITV) and ICMBio explores pathways to generate scientific knowledge on biodiversity and drive the bioeconomy. The participation of Fundo Vale reinforced the importance of integrating genomics, traditional knowledge, and equitable inclusion in sustainable value chains |
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During an event in Santiago, FAO discussed how to turn resources into resilience in rural areas. The event brought together governments, development banks, financial institutions, the private sector and international organizations to discuss mechanisms capable of increasing investment in rural areas across Latin America and the Caribbean |
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Executive Secretary, Forest Peoples Connection Network |
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The Forest Peoples Connection Network reached the milestone of 2,700 communities connected across the Amazon this year. How have internet access and digital inclusion benefited Indigenous peoples, Quilombola communities, extractive producers and other traditional communities?
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We believe that connectivity is a tool for strengthening communities and securing rights. The results include greater access to healthcare and education services and public policies, stronger market access and income generation, support for the management and protection of community lands, and greater social and political participation. For traditional peoples, this also means strengthening their ways of life and knowledge, giving visibility to their own narratives and increasing their ability to participate in decisions that affect them. Perhaps the most important impact is the autonomy that communities themselves have to use connectivity according to their needs and priorities.
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The initiative brings together more than 50 partners, including community leaders, civil society organizations, public institutions and private sector supporters such as Fundo Vale. How do you assess this multisectoral collaboration?
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Our experience shows that challenges of this scale can only be addressed collectively. Working as a network allows us to pool knowledge, resources and technical capabilities. However, we believe it is essential for this process to begin and end with communities taking the lead. Having representative organizations (CNS, COIAB and CONAQ) as institutional leaders brings an understanding of the realities and knowledge of each community, while our role is to connect their needs with the capabilities of different partners. Rather than simply bringing institutions together, we seek to build a network with traditional peoples at the center of decision-making.
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The 3rd Forest Peoples Connection Network Meeting took place in early August in the community of Mazagão, in Amapá. How do in-person events help strengthen the network?
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A network like this cannot be built through digital connectivity alone. It is necessary to create spaces for listening, exchange, trust and collective action. In-person events allow us to share experiences, recognize progress, discuss challenges and, above all, jointly define the next steps. The gathering in Amapá highlighted the strength of the National Council of Extractive Communities (CNS) and its ability to bring different communities closer together, transforming local experiences into lessons for the entire Amazon. It is the combination of connectivity and in-person engagement that gives the network its strength, expands its results and strengthens the leadership of community leaders. I invite everyone to watch the video of our gathering and follow us to keep up with our progress.
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The 2nd Amazon Climate Week took place in Belém from June 29 to July 4. The activities brought together representatives of communities, civil society, government, academia and the private sector to connect the climate commitments of COP30 with practical solutions already underway in the Amazon.
More than 7,300 people attended over 70 events and activities lasting 220 hours, held at more than 20 locations across Belém. The agenda was designed in alignment with the COP30 Action Agenda, linking commitments with operational initiatives. Self-organized panels discussed solutions related to key topics such as a just transition, climate adaptation and strengthening the bioeconomy, as well as cross-cutting issues like gender and climate and the prevention of diseases aggravated by climate change.
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Capital for climate action exists, but it still faces barriers to reaching those who need it most. In response to this challenge, Climate Ventures and Sitawi Finanças do Bem developed a proposal for a new financial instrument for climate justice aimed at redesigning access to resources, strengthening community leadership and supporting initiatives working on the front lines of biome protection.
The publication was supported by Fundo Vale, from the BMW Foundation and the Boticário Group Foundation, and developed collectively through a co-creation process that brought together civil society organizations, impact businesses, funders and experts. The document presents assessments, an investment thesis and practical recommendations for strengthening the climate finance ecosystem. |
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Did you like the new format of Fundo Vale’s newsletter? |
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Fundo Vale’s priority is to ensure the protection and privacy of our data, so we have reinforced our commitments regarding the collection, storage, treatment and sharing of our personal data, in accordance with Brazil’s General Data Protection Law. |
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