Unlocking the Potential of the Global Funding Ecosystem to Invest in a Sustainable Amazon Bioeconomy through the Lens of Local Communities
The Amazon basin is home to over 47 million people and 10% of the Earth’s species; however, it is at risk of disappearing within our lifetimes. The Amazon bioeconomy has emerged as a thriving economic sector, drawing in many investors with climate commitments. Yet most definitions of the bioeconomy do not mention the role of Indigenous Peoples in safeguarding the environment and boosting local economies.
NESsT promotes a vision of the bioeconomy that prioritizes the voices of Indigenous and local communities (IPLC), recognizing the effectiveness of their solutions and inviting them to play an active role in key decision-making processes.
To better understand the needs of NESsT portfolio enterprises led by IPLCs and the communities they serve, from 2022 to 2023, NESsT conducted an extensive study on ten local Amazonian enterprises that have received funding from Development Finance Institutions (DFIs), International Development Agencies (IDAs), and private sector investors.
The NESsT team conducted over 40 in-person interviews with the leadership teams, employees, smallholder farmers, and community members of the bioeconomy enterprises. All ten enterprises produce sustainable products and are committed to protecting local biodiversity and improving the livelihoods of IPLCS where they operate.
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Contact
Project Lead: Cairo Milhommen Bastos
Email address: cbastos@nesst.org
Cover photo: Kemito Ene, © Daniel Martínez / WWF Peru