Advancing land governance and environmental protection in the Amazon

Context

Rural federal public lands in Brazil cover 121.3 million hectares, with 99 per cent in the Legal Amazon. Of these, 50 million hectares remain undesignated, making them highly vulnerable to deforestation, invasions, land grabbing, and illegal activities, especially in the federal state of Amazonas. Weak land tenure security and poor spatial planning drive this destruction, threatening biodiversity and the livelihoods of small farmers and traditional communities. Protecting these lands is vital to preserving the Amazon, promoting fair land use, and supporting local communities.

Objective

Fair land access for traditional communities and family farmers has advanced, deforestation has decreased, vulnerable areas are protected, and resource management has improved.

Approach

The project collaborates with national agencies, including the Ministry of Agrarian Development and the National Institute of Colonization and Agrarian Reform, aligning with existing land policies. It focuses on:

• Facilitating coordination and dialogue within the Technical Chamber for Destination and Land Regularisation;
• Streamlining land allocation and regularisation processes for traditional communities, in line with international standards that protect Indigenous rights, and for family farmers;
• Improving information systems and ensuring interoperability for effective land data management;
• Providing training for public agents, community leaders, and civil society organisations;
• Supporting informed decision-making through integrated and efficient land data systems.

Last update: January 2025