Workshops Support Quilombolas to Define Family Characteristics and Land Use Profiles

On March 30 and April 10 2019, ECAM conducted workshops in the Saracá-taquera National Forest (FLONA) to support Quilombola communities from the High Trombetas River with the process of defining their family profile and characteristics.

The Alto Trombetas II Quilombolas Communities Association (ACRQAT) is in legal negotiations with ICMBio and other government bodies to acquire a Land Use Concession Contract (CCDRU). The contract is part of the government process of land ownership recognition for the community, which was given legally in 2018. The community asked for ECAM’s support to better understand the process. Defining the families profile helps to identify the communities economic activities – such as extractivism and fishing – and can then help the communities to connect with public policy and projects.

“This profile will help the communities in a number of ways. Initially, it provides a basis for the government to know the characteristics of the people living in the communities. For example, one of the communities are Brazil nut extractivists and with official recognition, the community will not run the risk of being fined for pursuing such activities. Furthermore, it opens the possibility for them to access publicly-supported initiatives such as introducing best practices for increasing production in their area”, explained Rogério Rodrigues do Nascimento, ECAM’s consultant who ran the workshops.

Over 60 community members took part in the workshops, designed to first help the quilombolas better understand the process of developing their community profile, and then present it to ICMBio. After this document is approved, the next step is to create a roster for the families, and review the FLONA management plan to include the activities described in the community’s profile.