Amazonia 2.0, the closing of a chapter

On Wednesday, February 22, 2023, the closing event of the Amazonia 2.0 project was held at the Hotel Tallanes in the city of Lima, Peru.

The story

Amazonia 2.0 was implemented since 2017, in 6 countries of the Amazon basin: Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru and Suriname. It was funded by the European Union, coordinated by IUCN South America and implemented by a consortium of organizations: IUCN Brazil, Fundación Natura, Fundación EcoCiencia, Amerindian Peoples Association, ECO REDD and The Amazon Conservation Team Suriname.

Environmental promoter - Caquetá, Colombia.
Photo: Fundación Natura

The project aimed at strengthening forest governance models in indigenous, campesino and maroon territories in the Amazon biome, with the objective of strengthening local capacities for good territorial and forest management, through the consolidation of a model of community monitoring developed in South America.

This initiative, which proposed a "bottom-up" intervention model, was based on community monitoring as a tool that generated organizational empowerment, articulation and local and national advocacy. Among the most important results of Amazonia 2.0, we have its regional platform, with social and technological components, highlighting the GeoVisor, with geo-referenced information obtained from field monitoring.

The closing

The last Steering Committee, attended by representatives of all partners, the regional team and executives of IUCN's regional office for South America, was part of the project's closing ceremony.

Amazonia 2.0 Steering Committee
Photo: IUCN South America

Subsequently, the main event was held, which brought together donors, authorities and civil society, including organizations such as SDC, DAR, FAO, Global Green Growth Institute, IFAD, UNDP, TNC, WCS, WWF, SERNANP, PROFONANPE, among others.

Gabriel Quijandría, Director of the IUCN Regional Office for South America, as the project's coordinating organization, opened the ceremony with a speech. Followed by the intervention of Robert Steinlechner, Head of Cooperation of the European Union in Peru, the financing entity of Amazonia 2.0.

Gabriel Quijandría, Cleofas Quintori, Robert Steinlechner, Consuelo Espinoza, Braulio Buendía
Photo: IUCN South America

Afterwards, Braulio Buendía, A2.0's Regional Coordinator, gave a presentation that reviewed the project's experience, emphasizing its achievements and challenges. This presentation gave way to the pre-premiere of the documentary "Amazonia 2.0", a compilation of testimonies of the protagonists of the project at local and national level, which recognizes the human side of Amazonia 2.0 as one of its greatest strengths, which guarantees the continuity of what has been learned after 6 years of implementation.

Aurelia Ahua, Documentary “Amazonia 2.0”
Photo: Karua Films - IUCN South America

Based on the audiovisual experience, a rich discussion was generated among the representatives of the consortium: Javier Vargas ( Fundación EcoCiencia, Ecuador), Lorena Franco (Fundación Natura, Colombia), Minu Parahoe (ACT, Suriname), Graham Atkinson (APA, Guyana) and Pedro Carrillo (ECO REDD, Peru); and indigenous leaders including Cleofas Quintori (URPIA), Teresita Landazu (AIDESEP), Julio Cusuruchi (AIDESEP) and Kanida Ríos (CORPIAA). They discussed the main legacies of the project, the commitments for its sustainability and the challenges that remain for the Amazonian communities.

Amazonia 2.0 closing event discussion panel
Photo: IUCN South America

To close the event, Tatiana García, Head of Environment and Climate Change of the European Union in Peru, shared her heartfelt words about her close experience with the project during its years of implementation. Alvaro Anicama, Senior Management Advisor of OSINFOR, also participated to provide the perspective from the Peruvian national forestry authorities. Finally, Consuelo Espinoza, Regional Program Coordinator of IUCN South America, spoke about the project.

A toast brought the evening to a close, allowing time to socialize and enjoy the photo gallery on display in the facilities. Amidst memories and laughter, the Amazonia 2.0 family hugged each other goodbye, recognizing the foundations laid by the project and the even stronger commitment to continue working on forest conservation from the good governance of indigenous, campesino and maroon territories.

 Amazonia 2.0 closing event
Photo: IUCN South America

A story of more than 6 years left behind trained monitors, empowered communities, tools, publications, communication products and much more; but its greatest legacy is a strengthened network of actors, whose commitment will continue beyond Amazonia 2.0, forever connected for our forests.