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600km2 under protection
1500km2 under protection
5500km2 under protection
It is imperative that there is access to justice for all peoples. Without rule of law and the ability to protect their lands, there is no possibility for communities to prosper. As such, Access to Justice is the foundation of everything we do.
Developed by world leading authority on Forest Crime Prevention Tim Boekhout van Solinge in partnership with Indigenous leaders over the last decade, our proven model focuses on demarcation & land rights, setting up Indigenous forest forces to protect their territories using GPS technology and developing trusted relationships with the justice system to ensure the necessary action is taken (removal of concessions, arrests, financial accountability etc. This is our flagship initiative, a successfully proven model and was peer reviewed in the last UN module on Forest & Fauna.
Equally important is stopping the reliance on fossil fuels which are required both within and to travel the huge distances between communities. The fuel costs also increase significantly as you travel deeper into the interior. This keeps Indigenous peoples in a cycle of poverty and to labour and sexual exploitation.
Most people don’t understand the vast distances needed to travel between communities or even patrol territories, whether it’s by boat, car or motorcycle. Currently there are no other alternatives for logistics and the vast majority of communities are also reliant on fuel generators for basic necessities like lighting and charging devices. Their monthly costs are sizeable and leaves them unable to save for solar or water generators / chargers which keeps them in a cycle of poverty and survival . Our aim is to break this cycle, by creating a pay it forward concept in which community by community, we replace their current systems and with the savings they ‘pay it forward’ to their neighbouring community. This model will enable quick scalability, promote strong community relationships / cooperation and eliminate each communities need for fossil fuels.
In terms of logistics, we have signed a partnership agreement with world leading electric motorbike manufacture CAKE and are exploring other options for boats and other vehicles with UFOPA (Western Para University) and a number of universities in the Netherlands.
Communications and internet access are essential with regard to forest crime prevention and well as health, education, trade and more. The remote location of many communities puts them in danger from those wishing to extract and exploit.
Starting with Forest Crime prevention, internet and communications are essential to relay gps coordinates with federal police in real time, so illegal operators can be removed / arrested. Furthermore, internet access in local schools will enable better education and the ability for youth members to stay in their community rather than leave for the city (which is costly, takes them away from their culture and can open them to negative outside influences) . Finally, many deaths can be avoided and better treatment provided if communities have the ability to contact health services.
Satellite internet is both expensive and notoriously temperamental, so we have been working on a new model using TV whitespace (converting old TV frequencies via tv aerials into internet bandwith) which can revolutionise connectivity in the Amazon. These systems will also give encrypted channels of communications, which will improve security levels for individuals and traders who could be targeted by bandits or worse.
Much is said about the West’s need to be environmental conscious, however the reality is our future, relies on those in the global south. We cannot expect people in poverty to continue protecting nature and the ecosystem our planet depends upon, with no possibility of a better future.
So we need to help lift Indigenous peoples out of poverty. This is why the communications and the renewable energy transition are vital components of our model. Secondly, whilst Indigenous communities are committed to defending their lands and nature, we need to think about multi-generation impact and implementation. This means creating an environment in which the guardians of nature are paid for their work protecting their territory. This can come in the form of biodiversity credits or via the creation of sustainable economic development models such as pre-harvest finance, eco-tourism, artisanal crafts etc Each Indigenous group has different cultures, skills and challenges, so the approach for every community is bespoke and in consultation with them
Ultimately, whether we are communicating with the international community or those on the ground, we need to ensure the Forest is worth more standing than cut down.
Access to Justice
9 Forest Forces with 1500km2 of primary rainforest under Indigenous protection.
Digital Equity
TV Whitespace internet solution technical research underway. Search for local partners begins.
Renewable Energy
Funds raised, partnerships developed and project plan structured and approved by Indigenous partners.
Economic Development
Research developed for Biodiversity credits. First scoping report created for pilot program.
Our intention is to roll each program across the Amazon. However, all activities are first piloted and done in cooperation via our trusted relationship with the Indigenous council of the Tapajos & Arapiuns (CITA) who represent 14 Indigenous groups in over 100 communities throughout the Lower Tapajos, Para state, Brazil.
| Year | Access to Justice | Digital Equity | Renewable Energy | Economic Developmen |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 15 Forest Forces with 3000km2 of primary rainforest under Indigenous protection | Implementation of pilot, subject to community approvals and supply chain challenges. | Roll out of renewable energy pilot programs across the Tapajos. Cooperation with universities in Brazil and Internationally. | Pre-Harvest Finance Pilot and first Biodiversity credit project developed. |
| 2025 | 25 Forest Forces with 5000km2 of primary rainforest under Indigenous protection | Upon successful conclusion of pilot. Additional grants and collaborations formed to scale model across the Amazon. | Upon successful conclusion of pilots. Additional grants and collaborations formed to scale model across the Amazon. | Ongoing partner relations, fundraising, development and matching of resources with Indigenous led organizations. |
| Beyond… | Subject to having the required resources, this model can be expanded not only across the Amazon but also to the world’s other tropical rainforests. | With the correct technical understanding, equipment and installation. We aim to revolutionise communications in the Amazon which will enable better healthcare, education, security and support forest crime prevention. | With the correct technical understanding, equipment and installation. We aim to fast forward the green energy transition in the Amazon which will take people out of poverty, minimise exploitation and create an environment for communities to thrive. | With the required network, financial solutions and possibilities to fund the protection of primary rainforest, we can help Indigenous peoples thrive, whilst proving that the forest is worth more standing than cut down. |
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