Sustainable projects turn forest waste into opportunities with support from LIRA/IPÊ – Integrated Legacy of the Amazon Region
Amazonian communities are changing their realities with innovative projects that turn fallen forest trees into works of art, furniture and high-value products. Among the initiatives are Ateliê da Floresta and Movelaria Comunitária Sustentável, projects that, with the support of LIRA/IPÊ – Legado Integrado da Região Amazônica, create new opportunities, generate income and contribute to a more sustainable future in the Amazon.
“These initiatives exemplify how it is possible to combine environmental conservation with economic development, providing benefits for both the forest and the local inhabitants,” says Fabiana Prado, manager of LIRA/IPÊ, an initiative of IPÊ – Instituto de Pesquisas Ecológicas, which is dedicated to forest conservation and the development of community businesses in the Amazon region.
Forest Workshop
Opened on June 9, 2024, Ateliê da Floresta, located in the Chico Mendes Extractive Reserve in Xapuri, Acre, transforms waste wood into art, furniture and utensils, creating a new source of income and pride for the community. The project arose from the will and vision for the future of Raimundo Mendes de Barros, known as Raimundão, and his community, made up of great leaders of the agro-extractivist movement in Acre. This came to fruition with SOS Amazônia’s Nossabio – Conserved Territories project, supported by LIRA/IPÊ, focused on strengthening socio-biodiversity production chains and the governance of conservation areas.
The Ateliê has stood out since its first exhibition, receiving commissions from galleries in Manaus and São Paulo. Built by SOS Amazônia, in partnership with Amoprex (Association of Residents and Producers of the Chico Mendes Extractive Reserve in Xapuri) and with the support of LIRA/IPÊ, the Atelier not only generates income, but also conserves the forest, keeping Chico Mendes’ ideals alive. “They called me a gaga, a crazy old man with crazy ideas, just like they called Chico Mendes. He dreamed that one day the caboclos would be considered equal to those in the city. Just because we were born in the bush, don’t we have the same rights?” said Raimundão, from AMOPREX, at the inauguration.
To develop the project, meetings were held with the community, artisans were trained, management and association workshops were held, market consultancy was provided, tools and machinery were purchased, a visual identity manual was created and a license for the sustainable use of wood was obtained. ICMBio licensed 50 cubic meters of wood from 20 different species.
“Ateliê da Floresta has been a symbol of struggle and persistence for 14 years. It represents a dream come true for our community and serves as an example to others, showing that the standing forest is worth much more. We work with forest waste, transforming it into handicrafts that tell our story of struggle and conservation. This project is already generating funds and is expected to generate significant income for each family involved,” says Rogério Azevedo de Barros, Raimundão’s son.
“The initiative has attracted mainly young people and women, which is very positive. The workshop currently involves 18 families, but the intention is to gradually expand. To do this, it will be essential to invest more in training, management and maintaining fair relations with the market. These are the next steps,” says Adeilson Lopes, SOS Amazônia’s technical coordinator.
Sustainable Community Furniture
In the Igapó-Açú Sustainable Development Reserve (RDS), a new chapter of hope and innovation has opened with the inauguration of the Sustainable Community Furniture Store. Inaugurated in May 2024, the enterprise is coordinated by the Igapó-Açú Managers’ Cooperative (Coopmaia) and plays a key role in the sustainable development of the region, transforming sustainably managed wood into furniture and other high-value products.
“Furniture making in the Igapó-Açú RDS not only improves the local economy, but also values education and the involvement of young people, transforming the old feeling of shame at being from the interior into pride. Residents can now buy windows and furniture locally, something that was previously inaccessible. Setting up the furniture store was difficult and required a lot of effort from the community, but with determination, things began to change. Located on the BR-319 highway, it is the only furniture store in the region that uses wood from managed forests. The team continues to organize itself, and the community is confident that this is just the beginning of a prosperous future, bringing more development and pride to everyone,” says Doracy Dias – president of COOPMAIA (Cooperativa dos Manejadores DO Igapó- Açú).
Part of the Madeira-Purus Forest Cities project, the creation of the furniture store was only possible thanks to the collaboration between the institutions IDESAM – Institute for the Conservation and Sustainable Development of the Amazon, the NGO Casa do Rio and the State Secretariat for the Environment and Sustainability (SEMA), with financial support from LIRA/IPÊ. In addition to the design professionals, Frederico Felipe, an artist and community organizer, and Rodrigo Silveira, a woodworking designer, who leave ideas and prototypes for the community to produce independently.
“The furniture is an important achievement for the communities, making it possible to add income by making small objects from managed wood, with greater added value and ease of transportation. Together with the community, we opted for a product that is scalable, easy to manufacture and uses little raw material, without depending on external factors. Built by the residents themselves, this furniture store represents the community’s drive and protagonism, promising good results for everyone,” says Marcus Biazzatti, IDESAM’s technical coordinator.
How LIRA supports sustainable development in the Amazon
Founded by biologist Fabiana Prado, LIRA/IPÊ’s mission is to improve conservation efforts in the Amazon biome by funding socio-environmental impact projects, promoting the generation and dissemination of knowledge, and supporting public policies aimed at Amazon conservation and climate resilience.
Since its foundation, LIRA/IPÊ has collaborated with more than 125 organizations in five states, managing 50 projects in 59 protected areas. The initiative seeks not only to conserve the forest, but also to integrate and generate knowledge and engage women to play a greater role – who play a fundamental role in the socio-economic fabric of the region. More than 58 million hectares of forest have been conserved, directly benefiting 52,000 people in 62 municipalities. An investment of R$46 million over four years in impact projects that promote social and environmental practices. LIRA/IPÊ is the Amazon Fund’s largest CSO (Civil Society Organization) project and the second largest conservation project in the Amazon.
About LIRA
LIRA – Legado Integrado da Região Amazônica (Integrated Legacy of the Amazon Region) is an integrative initiative that boosts conservation efforts in the Amazon through three components: 1) The LIRA Fund, which finances socio-environmental projects with traditional peoples and communities; 2) Knowledge Management and Innovation; and 3) Socio-environmental Public Policies. It brings together a network of 125 organizations operating in 5 states with an Amazon biome, through the implementation of 50 projects in 59 protected areas (indigenous lands and conservation units) – promoting biodiversity conservation, the well-being of traditional peoples and communities and climate resilience. Executor: IPÊ – Institute for Ecological Research. Funding Partners: Amazon Fund and Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation. Institutional partners: the National Indian Foundation (FUNAI), the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation (ICMBio), the Amazonas State Secretariat for the Environment (SEMA-AM) and the Pará State Institute for Forestry and Biodiversity Development (IDEFLOR-Bio).
More information: https: //lira.ipe.org.br/ – Home – IPÊ – Institute for Ecological Research (ipe.org.br)
SOURCE: Nice Castro – Circular Communication
