Developed by Zoró Pangyjej Indigenous Peoples Association – APIZ, O Man Gap project has been developing activities that promote sustainable development and strengthen the economy in the indigenous territories of Zoro People, Apiaka, Kayabi and Munduruku in Mato Grosso.
Among the project's advances, the construction of a chestnut processing factory in the Apiaká-Kayabi Indigenous Land (TI) stands out, as well as the structuring of the Indigenous Solidarity Revolving Fund, an Organizational Management Seminar and the collective development of business plans and visual identity for Brazil nut products produced in the territories. All these actions are part of the Man Gap Project, of the Zoro Pangyjej Indigenous People Association – APIZ, inserted in the Family Farming and Traditional Peoples and Communities subprogram of the REM-MT Program.
The structuring of the Indigenous Solidarity Revolving Fund It is conducted by Sitawi Finanças do Bem and plays a key role in strengthening the Amazon nut value chain in this project region. Once approved, the Fund will receive initial funding from the REM MT Program for its operation and for the first loan cycle. The goal is to support productive organizations in the communities in the long term, promoting their financial autonomy and sustainability in productive activities — especially those related to Brazil nuts.
According to Paulo Nunes, Man Gap project coordinator, “These results are the fruit of participatory work that seeks the social, productive, economic, organizational and environmental development of the Zoró, Apiaká, Kayabi and Munduruku Peoples. These initiatives generate work and income for the population in the communities, make available organic products derived from socio-biodiversity and of high nutritional value to the population in the project region, at the same time, multiplying wealth, since the income generated circulates, creating a supportive and sustainable micro-economy in the hands of small entrepreneurs who provide services and trade goods with the indigenous nut producers.“".
For the implementation of the Solidarity Revolving Fund, experts in the field of Sitawi Conservation and Climate Finance visited the territories to conduct participatory workshops with indigenous communities.
"Being in traditional territories is always a great learning experience. This time, it would be no different. During the fieldwork, I was able to understand and witness how indigenous territories and their ethnic groups are fundamental to the conservation of biodiversity and knowledge, acting as a brake on the agricultural and livestock frontiers of deforestation. I hope that, collectively, we will be able to foster local culture while stimulating income generation in the communities." account Ana Quelly Anacleto, Conservation and Climate Finance Analyst.
What are FRS and how are they structured?
You Solidarity Revolving Funds (FRS) are an intelligent and creative form of collective savings, which aims to meet the specific needs of its participants, through the consensus of rules established by the members of the Funds. These funds mobilize, organize and lend resources for collective and alternative projects, such as solidarity economic enterprises, social mobilizations and training activities.
Furthermore, they are rotating, which means that the resources are returned at some point. These resources circulate within the community itself and the replenishment of these funds is based on the principle of solidarity, with fair prices for the remuneration of indigenous peoples' work, as well as rules of reciprocity.
Second Fernando Campos, Area Manager Conservation and Climate Finance by Sitawi and responsible for structuring the Indigenous Solidarity Revolving Fund, at this first stage it is important to define, in a participatory manner, the three decisive spheres within a fund: strategic, financial and governance, based on the local context in which the communities are located. This initiative goes beyond a specific project and can become a reference model for other territories and traditional communities in the Amazon.
Structuring Meeting of the Indigenous Solidarity Revolving Fund in the Tatuí Village. Apiaka Kayabi Indigenous Land. Juara MT.
Joining forces to achieve new results
already the UNICAFES has been dedicated to communities through training that has been taking place since September. In November, the Organizational Management Seminar was held in the Apiaka Caiaby Indigenous Land, involving the four ethnic groups of the Man Gap project. These training sessions aim to develop management skills and improve the management of indigenous organizations.
In addition, the Project has the consultancy of the company Socioambientalize, which has worked together with the communities to develop business plans and create a visual identity for Brazil nut products, both in the new factory in the Apiaká-Kayabi Indigenous Land and in the factory already installed in the Zoró Indigenous Land. The objective is to find solutions that reconcile economic success with environmental conservation and promote sustainable practices, aligning the values and purposes of indigenous peoples with the expectations of consumers and the market.
According to Mariana Dettmer, from the Socioenvironmentalize, “It is important to develop the business plan and the visual identity of the products together with the Brazil nut producing communities based on local experiences and narratives and to develop an aligned plan of vision for the future, production, prices and information that guide the structuring of these processing factories, which support decision-making, considering local and market realities.”.
All these initiatives aim to contribute to the territorial development of indigenous communities, considering their cultural and traditional specificities. The involvement of different stakeholders and the union of efforts result in significant advances for the social and economic progress of these populations, always valuing and respecting local culture and delivering quality products made with Brazil nuts from these territories.
