AMAZONIA+: Enhancing indigenous participation in environmental governance in the Amazon

The Amazon forest accounts for 58% of the total area of rainforests in the world, 20% of freshwater resources, and 20% of the world’s biodiversity. Its preservation is a crucial issue for the health of the planet and its inhabitants. However, the Amazon is seriously affected by deforestation and forest degradation caused by human activities. This situation is exacerbated by climate change, which results in a decrease in rainfall and an increase in fires.

The Amazonia+ Programme, financed by the European Union, has been set up in response to the environmental crisis in the Amazon Basin. It is part of the Team Europe Initiative “Green Transition of the Amazon Basin”, which aims to mobilise and coordinate efforts towards sustainable natural resources management, inclusive development, and sustainable livelihoods. This includes promoting transparent and deforestation-free supply chains, environmental governance, human rights, and sustainable finance.

The activities implemented by Expertise France under the Amazonia+ Programme aim to enhance opportunities for the participation of indigenous peoples and local communities in the development and implementation of environmental and forest governance policies and mechanisms.

Promoting effective forest governance practices is central to Expertise France’s strategy to preserve the Amazon. This innovative approach, which focuses on promoting a harmonious coordination between various stakeholders, aims to guide policies and strategies for the preservation of forests in the region. A key aspect of this approach is the recognition of the crucial importance of indigenous peoples and local communities in the protection, sustainable management and rational use of forest resources.

To realise this vision, Expertise France is strengthening the structures and mechanisms for coordination between the various stakeholders, including indigenous peoples, local communities, government authorities, the private sector, universities and civil society. The objective is to promote inclusive and participatory forest governance, supporting the integration of the traditional knowledge of indigenous peoples and scientific advances to ensure that decision-making is informed and sustainable.

This initiative is a major step towards the construction of an appropriate and effective forest governance model for the Amazon, capitalising on the wealth of knowledge and diverse experiences in the region.

Expertise France is taking proactive action to empower indigenous peoples for an active participation in the forest governance process at all levels: local, regional and national. This commitment involves strengthening the operational expertise of indigenous communities and organisations. It is supported by micro-grants to give them the tools for crucial activities, such as deforestation monitoring, coordination with local and national authorities, and the management of environmental conflicts.

At the same time, activities are organised to raise public awareness of the crucial role of environmental advocates.

The objective of this holistic approach is to build sustainable and equitable partnerships between local and regional stakeholders. This will contribute to establishing participatory and environmentally friendly forest management across the Amazon region.

Expertise France is also contributing to strengthening the equal participation of women in the Amazon in the activities and decision-making forums involving the environmental and forest governance of the Amazon Basin. We are deploying training programmes and technical assistance for our partners in the field for this purpose.