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The Sustainable Use of Amazonian Seeds
SEED Winner
Year of participation:2009
Region:Latin America & Caribbean (GRULAC)
Subject:Biodiversity / Natural resource management
Regional development in the Brazilian Amazon is the aim of the partners, achieved by encouraging the organisation of the local communities as a co-operative, and by transferring technologies and training the community in the production of oils made from Amazonian seeds, resulting in increased incomes for these communities.
Original project description
The partnership, consisting of 26 employees, has fostered environmental conservation and social development since 2007 by transferring technologies and by training the local community in the production of oils from Amazonian seeds. They initiated the exploitation of under-utilised natural resources, which were considered to be waste by local public authorities. The products generated by the local community are organic certified oils, extracted from Ucuuba and Andiroba seeds, and handcrafted candles. Beraca, one the funding partners, buys the oils and sells them to the cosmetic industry, the main client being L’Occitane.
Led by women, the initiative creates social inclusion, provides skills training for the community and promotes gender equality while preserving local knowledge about the use of plants. It also provides an alternative source of income and thus resources which enable children to be sent to school.
Furthermore, the initiative helps to preserve 10,000 Andiroba trees in the Marajó Island and 5,000ha of native forest. Beraca, together with the other partners, also improves the community‘s social and environmental awareness.
Current project updates
No update available.
Growth plans description
• Develop a training division to produce Andiroba and Uccuuba candles.
• Develop training to produce candle holders as initiated by Carlos Amaral, an indigenous Marajoara artist.
• Build the Coopemaflima headquarters.
• Train the cooperative to work with other non-timber materials.
• Seek other partners.
Current Needs
• Support with building the cooperative’s headquarters
• Assistance with informing the community about the social and environmental impacts
• Assistance with educating the communities about entrepreneurship.
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Project partners
• Coopemaflima
• Beraca
• L´Occitane Foundation
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