Contextualization

In 2012, through Decree No. 7747/2012, the National Policy for Environmental and Territorial Management of Indigenous Lands (PNGATI) was established, with the objective of “guaranteeing and promoting the protection, recovery, conservation and sustainable use of natural resources of indigenous lands and territories, ensuring the integrity of indigenous heritage, the improvement of the quality of life and full conditions for physical and cultural reproduction of current and future generations of indigenous peoples, respecting their sociocultural autonomy”. By promoting the management of indigenous peoples over their lands, this policy establishes itself as a mobilizing instrument for indigenous communities, through their representative organizations, to continue acting effectively to protect their territories and rights and meet their priority demands.

The “Amazon Indigenous Networks” Project was developed by the Coordination of Indigenous Organizations of the Brazilian Amazon (Coiab) in partnership with TNC Brasil and is part of a strategy to expand indigenous organizations’ access to Amazon Fund resources. Its scope encompasses actions at the state and regional level (Amazon), seeking to contribute to the demands of monitoring the implementation of PNGATI, the participation of indigenous organizations in discussions and definitions of policies and programs that may impact the integrity of their territories, as well as training technicians and indigenous leaders in topics related to territorial management, financial administrative matters, among other related themes.

THE PROJECT

Support for indigenous organizations in the project reflects the understanding that these organizations have been the communities' main instrument in articulating and seeking consensus among the plurality of peoples represented for deliberation and action on important issues for the integrity of indigenous territories and rights. In this sense, the project constitutes a strategy centered on the protagonism of indigenous organizations as a path to the consolidation of indigenous territories.

The project is structured into four components. The first aims to facilitate the improvement and application of a participatory monitoring tool by the network of indigenous organizations regarding the advancement of PNGATI, and the execution of PGTAs and climate programs developed by federal and state governments, covering production, registration, monitoring and analysis of result indicators. The information will be tabulated to prepare annual bulletins by State and calculate the Amazon Indigenous Well-Being and Environmental Management Index - "PNGATI HDI". The governance of this product includes state committees (constituted by monitoring agents and coordinators of the Coiab network in each state) and an advisory committee (formed by experts of renowned knowledge), for data analysis and validation.

The second component consists of supporting the nine state indigenous organizations in the Coiab and Umiab network, providing the necessary means for their full participation in discussions on topics fundamental to the integrity of territories and indigenous rights. Following broad discussion with indigenous leaders and organizations in each State, decision-making protocols will be drawn up on state government policies and programs that respect the principles of free, prior and informed consultation of indigenous peoples, in accordance with Convention No. 169 of the International Labor Organization on Indigenous and Tribal Peoples. It is also planned, for each of the nine States of the Legal Amazon, to prepare a proposal for safeguarding and benefits sharing in REDD+ and biodiversity programs. With regard to the strengthening and sustainability of state indigenous organizations, support with resources for administrative-financial and accounting activities is planned for each of the nine state organizations and for Umiab, as well as the application of organizational strengthening tools, such as strategic planning and preparation of standards and procedures manuals.

The third component includes training actions that will be carried out by the Coiab Amazon Center for Indigenous Training (CAFI) and include long-term courses for leadership training, extension courses for the nine state organizations of the Coiab and Umiab Network on topics related  to state public policies for indigenous peoples (socio-bioeconomy, REDD+, regional development, organizational strengthening, etc.), and specialization courses in communication, PNGATI monitoring, financial and institutional management and business and production chain management.

Finally, the fourth component is focused on the organizational consolidation of Coiab and its strengthening as a hub for the network of indigenous organizations in the Amazon. The support includes the renovation and structuring of Coiab headquarters facilities; support for logistics expenses for the annual meeting of the Coiab deliberative council and for the travel necessary for Coiab to monitor the activities of state organizations; legal consultancy on topics related to the territorial management and protection agenda; preparation of a financial sustainability plan for Coiab and a set of items related to improving Coiab's internal governance and management tools, including preparation of internal manuals, accounting services, financial auditing; and finally, communication activities related to project execution.

INTERVENTION LOGIC

The project is part of the “Land Use Planning” component (3) of the Logical Framework of the Amazon Fund, contributing to the direct effect “Protected areas with infrastructure, territorial protection and consolidated management” (3.2) as a result of support for strengthening Coiab , Umiab and the state indigenous organizations of the Coiab Network in the nine states of the Legal Amazon and their work in monitoring the implementation of PNGATI and in the development of consultation protocols and indigenous participation in decisions with potential impact on indigenous lands at the state level, as well as training in topics related to the protection and management of indigenous lands.