Launch of the TreeGreen Fund: Empowering Indigenous Amazon Communities with Sustainable Energy Solutions
As fuel costs soar across the Amazon, Indigenous communities face an ongoing struggle to meet basic energy needs, leaving them caught in cycles of poverty and vulnerable to exploitation. Long-term nature conservation in Indigenous territories is only sustainable if these communities gain access to reliable, affordable energy solutions. Recognizing this, Treesistance and Dutch energy provider Greenchoice have launched the TreeGreen Fund — a pioneering initiative aimed at addressing energy inequality and uplifting communities in the Brazilian Amazon.
With an initial €500,000 fund, the TreeGreen Fund is committed to delivering solutions that champion Indigenous-led nature conservation and territorial defence while supporting health, education, and sustainable economic growth. Core to the fund’s mission is community ownership and empowerment, embedding Indigenous representatives directly into its institutional framework and supporting skill-building initiatives. In collaboration with the Federal University of Western Pará (UFOPA), a training and capacity-building program will equip communities to install, use, manage, and maintain critical energy infrastructure.
Additionally, the fund will operate through a revolving development fund managed by Impact Bank in Brazil, allowing Indigenous communities to sustain projects independently.
Programs under the TreeGreen Fund are comprehensive and geared toward essential community needs. These include:
- Territorial Defense: Energy solutions will power forest guardian outposts, communication systems to report forest crimes in real-time, and essential technology for monitoring and defense.
- Health and Logistics: The fund will support refrigeration for medicines and seasonal foods, provide solar-powered boats for transport, and enable water access and filtration systems to combat extreme drought conditions.
- Educational and Community Spaces: Schools, meeting points, and collective spaces will gain access to renewable energy, bolstering education and communal activities.
- Sustainable Economic Development: Energy will be channelled into projects that promote economic resilience and sustainability.
By providing reliable energy and fostering community-driven conservation, the TreeGreen Fund marks a crucial step toward both social equity and environmental stewardship in the Amazon. The fund’s vision goes beyond immediate support, aiming to strengthen Indigenous communities’ capacity for self-reliance while creating a sustainable pathway to conserve one of the planet’s most vital ecosystems.
