Inside the impact
Discover initiatives that transform
Here at Sitawi we work with the commitment of socio-environmental transformation. We created this page with the aim of further reverberating our impact. Discover how we are building a future fairer and sustainable through our projects and initiatives. Will you join us?
The effect of impact
Check out the accumulated results up to…
Meetings and connections through impact
In 2023/2024, we will strengthen our role as agents of good finance at events and conferences. Here are some highlights:
Brazilian Climate Finance Forum
During the event, Conservation International (CI-Brazil) and Sitawi presented the Biodiversity Conservation Investment Blueprints. A blueprint is a financial transaction framework designed to help facilitate replicable investments in priority biodiversity conservation projects.
COP 28
A group of civil society organizations and social investors launched during the conference the 'Brazilian Philanthropy Commitment on Climate Change'. The document has 28 signatures from organizations operating in the segment, mobilized by the Group of Institutes, Foundations and Companies (GIFE) and Sitawi is one of the signatories of this commitment.
Sitawi Connection
The Sitawi Connection It was an event that brought together several people and experts to promote dialogues about the ecosystem of positive socio-environmental impact.
Sitawi Insights
During the Sitawi Insights, which took place in April 2024, we launched a survey revealing the Philanthropy and impact investing practices of high net worth families in Brazil and a pioneering study on Sitawi's experience in Impact Investing, with the call Empathic Capital.
Impact generated by cause
We strengthen our commitment to positive impact!
The graph on the side illustrates how our efforts were distributed throughout 2023 and in this first half of 2024, separated by causes:
For us, people, nature and economy are interconnected. We need to address everyone’s challenges at the same time. And to do that, we want the capital to create a positive future. To enable purpose and ensure that people live in an equitable and just society. To protect our ecosystems and help communities adapt to climate change.
To this end, we developed infrastructure for the Impact Economy. Want to know how? Check out some stories from our portfolio:
People
People who impact
We are here to redefine the role of capital through positive socio-environmental impact. Impact for a society made up of people diverse, with different habits, cultures and needs. People who count on us to solve adversities together. Because we are also made up of people. And it is through this human connection that we can transform realities.
People who drive people
Capital is added to an equation that has people and the positive impact they can generate as protagonists. To help the people of the Indigenous Territories (ILs) of the Zoró, Apiaká, Kayabi and Munduruku Peoples, in Mato Grosso, to make the best use of capital, we, together with representatives of the Man Gap project, offer a Finance Workshop for the management of the Indigenous Solidarity Revolving Fund for more than 70 people, in March 2024.
The initiative aimed to bring financial knowledge to train communities and indigenous leaders in financial management and strengthening the Amazon nut value chain.
Through this effort, we seek to transform local economic potential into a driver of sustainable and inclusive development.
People who keep the forest standing
Simply managing capital for people is not enough if the territories they inhabit are under threat. In the interior of the state of Maranhão, the Krikati Indigenous Land is home to around 1,600 people living in an area within the legal Amazon, which is constantly threatened by deforestation and land grabbing by non-indigenous people.
To protect this vital land, as well as the traditions and ways of life of those who inhabit it, we are implementing the initiative Women as Environmental Agents in Monitoring the Krikati Indigenous Land, in partnership with the Wewetyj Community Association of Aldeia Recanto dos Cocais, with the participation of the women's collective of Aldeia Recanto dos Cocais.
With an investment of approximately R$617,000 and aimed at the Krikati and Guajajara indigenous groups, the project promotes female empowerment and family cooperation, ensuring that the forest continues to be preserved by the hands of those who know it best. Empowerment is essential to increase the community's knowledge of women's rights.
People of the future
To ensure this is a continuous movement, we need to invest in active agents of change for tomorrow. To train people to act for the future of Middle Juruá Territory, located in the interior of Amazonas, more than 100 young people from different local communities participated in political training.
The course is an initiative of the Fórum Território Médio Juruá (TMJ Forum), held by Amecsara and Instituto Juruá, organizations that strengthen production chains and coordination in the territory. As coordinator of the Programa Território Médio Juruá (PTMJ), Sitawi raises funds and manages the financial contributions from funders. In addition, it also manages programs with local implementers, devising strategies for the development of Médio Juruá.
The course not only offered an immersion into the importance of community leadership, but also encouraged young people to reflect on their role as agents of change in their environments and in the vast Amazon.
Our journey towards positive social and environmental impact is guided by the belief that every action, project and investment is an essential step towards a better future. Every step we take in our mission for positive social and environmental impact is driven by the people who are part of this journey. Every impact initiative we promote and support is a reflection of people’s commitment to building a better world.
Environment
We only have one planet
The Earth has already given several signs that it is reaching its limit. Floods, droughts, species extinction, record temperatures and constant heat waves are increasingly common in our daily lives. But what do these events have in common? They are all effects of climate change on the planet.
There are those who believe that economic development requires destruction, but this is not true. Today, more than ever, food development and production need to be sustainable.
But is it possible to guarantee food conservation and production at the same time?
Yes, it is possible. Agroforestry is an example of this: by integrating trees, crops and, often, animals into a single system, we promote ecological diversity and increase the resilience of agricultural systems.
Technology also plays an essential role in this process. Belterra Agroforestry, one greentech which raised funds through our Sitawi Platform for Positive Impact, implements Agroforestry Systems (SAF) that transform degraded pastures into productive forests, in partnership with small and medium-sized farmers from several states in the country. This is one of the ways we can regenerate the planet while producing food sustainably.
AFSs are based on an approach that looks not only at the ecological aspects of restoration, but also at the productive aspects. They play an important role in adapting to climate change, since diversified systems tend to be more resilient to extreme weather events.
Belterra Impact
rural partners
restored hectares in different states of Brazil
millions of seedlings native in nurseries
Promoting the conservation of forests and agroforestry is essential to create more resilient and sustainable landscapes, ensuring the production of food responsibly while protecting the planet.
Feet on the ground and food on the table
Food is the heart of the Bio Institute, creator of BioFloresta Philanthropic Fund, which relies on our financial management. Its purpose is to regenerate the terrestrial ecosystem and promote sustainable land use, empowering family farmers and strengthening conscious cooking.
An example of this impact is the Araponga Village, in Paraty (RJ), which received support from the Fund. There, around 33 indigenous people will benefit from BioCulinária, with the training of BioChefs and training in SAFs. In addition, the Fund plans to plant 12 thousand native tree seedlings in the community.
BioFloresta is committed to restoring land in selected Indigenous Territories (ITs), combating desertification, environmental degradation and biodiversity loss, creating a greener and fairer future for all people.
Another action of the Fund is the CARMA Project, an initiative to transform agriculture in the Atlantic Forest region. CARMA, which stands for Agro-Regenerative Corridors of the Atlantic Forest, goes beyond simply producing sustainable agriculture, encompassing environmental preservation, economic development and consumer awareness.
How to prepare for climate tragedies?
In May of this year, Brazil witnessed the biggest climate tragedy in the history of Rio Grande do Sul. Months have passed, but the destruction still marks the daily lives of the gaúchos. After all, the flood doesn't end when the waters recede.. An entire state needs to be rebuilt, and in this scenario, the emergency response to the disaster reaffirmed the vital role of philanthropy.
Philanthropy is more than a gesture of solidarity. It is an essential tool for responding quickly to crises and minimizing the impact of climate change on the most vulnerable communities.
When government and local infrastructure are overwhelmed, Philanthropic Funds step in to fill gaps and ensure urgent needs are met.
It was in this context that we sought some Philanthropic Funds under our management, such as Rescue+ Fund. This Fund has played an important role in rescuing stranded people, assisting shelters and devastated communities, and even promoting cultural events to raise donations.
Furthermore, the Resgate+ Fund’s work goes beyond immediate emergencies. It also supports the production of packed lunches, the distribution of snacks, and the donation of basic food baskets, clothes, and blankets to people who have lost everything. These actions not only alleviate immediate suffering, but also help communities get back on their feet.
Climate change and unequal impacts
Climate change is exacerbating natural disasters—and it’s the most vulnerable communities that are feeling the brunt of the impacts. To mitigate these effects, we need philanthropy that not only responds to crises, but also acts preventively and strategically.
This means investing in resilient infrastructure, supporting environmental education and awareness initiatives, and strengthening the capacity of communities to adapt to new climate realities.
Projects like BioFloresta and Belterra, which promote sustainable land use, also play a key role in building more resilient landscapes that can better withstand the impacts of climate change.
By working with indigenous communities and family farmers, they are restoring ecosystems and creating conditions for these populations to face the future with greater security and autonomy.
The message is that although the challenges are great, the ability to overcome them is also great. Every contribution, whether an investment or an innovation, can be the difference between a future marked by catastrophes or sustainable growth.
Economy
Empathic Capital
The economy is the central pillar of any society, directly influencing people’s quality of life and the development of countries. However, as we face global challenges such as climate change, social inequality and economic crises, it is urgent to rethink the role of the economy and capital. Income generation, entrepreneurship and sustainable development are fundamental axes in this transformation.
Sharing knowledge and impact
The production of knowledge and the development of projects focused on good finance are essential to consolidate this new economy. Research, training and the sharing of good practices help to shape an environment where positive impact becomes the standard, not the exception.
An example of this was the blueprints, an unprecedented initiative in Brazil, carried out by Sitawi in partnership with Conservation International (CI-Brazil). Blueprint is a financial transaction structure model designed to help facilitate replicable investments in priority biodiversity conservation projects.
The initiative contributed to discussions on paving possible paths where investors can allocate financial resources and obtain profits by generating socio-environmental benefits. The three blueprints focus on bioeconomy cooperatives, forest restoration and biodiversity production chains.
The blueprints were released during the Brazilian Climate Finance Forum, held in 2024, in São Paulo. It was a material created with several actors from the financial market: people from philanthropic organizations, impact investors and traditional market actors. If you want, read more here.
Empowering communities
Income generation is not just a matter of survival: it brings dignity and empowerment. When communities have access to fair economic opportunities, they can improve their living conditions, invest in education, health and environmental conservation.
The sustainable management chain of pirarucu is crucial to improving the quality of life of riverside and indigenous communities, in an integrated manner with the conservation of biodiversity in the Amazon. However, despite its relevance, this production chain still does not guarantee fair remuneration for the communities and associations that sell the fish.
Developed by our experts, the study uses the True Cost Accounting (TCA) approach to examine the situation in the Médio Juruá Territory, in Amazonas. The analysis identifies the disparity between the real prices paid to communities and the fair prices that should be offered by the market or guaranteed by regulations, economic incentives and financial instruments.
This differential considers not only economic costs, but also social and environmental values, proposing an ideal remuneration that encourages the transition to fairer and more sustainable policies and practices.
The results of the study are clear: the minimum price currently established for the commercialization of sustainably managed pirarucu does not cover the total costs of the production chain.
By including the social dimension—that is, the value people place on the work done in local communities—the fair price should be even higher. This kind of analysis not only reveals the flaws in the current system, but also points the way to a more inclusive and equitable economy, where communities that work on conservation and sustainable production are fairly rewarded.The Power of Empathic Capital
The concept of Empathic Capital is fundamental to boosting the economic and impact results of organizations that seek to transform the world. For us, positive socio-environmental impact comes first and directs our actions and projects.
When we combine this type of investment with the Blended Finance, which adjusts capital to the specific needs of impact businesses, we have an ideal scenario with real and lasting impact.
THE ParaOil is an example of this approach. Located in Pará, the company specializes in extracting natural oils and butters from seeds of the Amazon rainforest, supplying products for the cosmetics and food sectors. With deep roots in Japanese culture, marked by the perseverance of Japanese immigrants who arrived in the Amazon after the war, ParaOil has built a history of cooperation and respect for the environment and local communities.
ParaOil’s story is one of empathy and sustainable development. Its integrated chain of Amazonian oils, which includes seeds such as andiroba, pracaxi and babassu, exemplifies how a company can operate in harmony with the forest, maintaining the standing forest and doing so productively.
Through values such as cooperation, respect for the environment and people, ParaOil demonstrates that empathetic capital is not only possible, but essential for a sustainable and prosperous future in the Amazon — and in the world.
Outlook for 2025
Have you ever stopped to think that there are only six years left until 2030?
THE urgency of the climate crisis requires swift and decisive action. There is still time to reverse course, but we need unprecedented mobilization, with every decision and investment focused on protecting the planet.
COPs (Conference of the Parties) are essential spaces for transforming policies into concrete actions through international collaboration. COP29 in Baku highlights climate finance as a central theme, crucial for advancing global policies.
COP30, which will be held for the first time in the Amazon, will address adaptation to extreme events and climate justice, reflecting the urgency of the impacts already felt. It is vital not only to participate, but also to lead, inspire and innovate in these spaces.
We will be present on these occasions to discuss how good finance plays a crucial role in the new economy and in combating climate change.
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