Handicrafts and Community Tourism: Foundations for Economic Growth in Tapajós Communities

Handicrafts and Community Tourism: Foundations for Economic Growth in Tapajós Communities
Mark Carrato learns handicrafts from local artist
U.S. Ambassador and USAID Director Visit the Region

October/November, 2024 – Situated along the Tapajós and Arapiuns Rivers, in Pará, the community of Urucureá is celebrated for its traditional handicrafts made from fibers of the tucumã palm, a plant native to the Amazon. In addition to its edible fruit, the tucumã provides essential materials for local artisans, supporting the economy while preserving cultural heritage. Through the Tapajós for Life project, USAID is helping to strengthen this value chain and other community-driven activities in the region.

To witness firsthand the work of these communities, U.S. Ambassador to Brazil, Elizabeth Frawley Bagley, and USAID Director in Brazil, Mark Carrato, visited the region in October. Ambassador Bagley highlighted USAID’s commitment to supporting community traditions, helping to preserve cultural heritage while enhancing local livelihoods.

The delegation made their first stop at the EcoCenter for Sociobiodiversity, a regional hub for processing, storing, and selling bioproducts, located in Santarém. They explored facilities for extracting vegetable oils, while learning about the logistical and commercial challenges these communities face. 

The USAID team also visited the Tapajós National Forest, a 530,000 hectare protected area in western Pará. In the Jamaraquá community, they hiked a 9 kilometer trail with support local guides, including young guide Inglati and the experienced Dido, who shared knowledge on using sumaúma tree trunks for forest communication.

“This place is totally amazing. Entering the forest is a wonderful experience, but you can’t do it alone. You need the support of local guides," said Carrato.

The Jamaraquá community offers immersive trail experiences and has previously received USAID support through a project led by the U.S. Forest Service. Now, the Tapajós for Life project, implemented by WWF, is extending this successful community-based tourism model to other local communities.

“USAID is absolutely proud to support this forest [and Jamaraquá community]. We are been supporting this place since 1999, and you can see the change. You can see how people are using ecotourism as a base for economic development, and how that is conserving the forest and increasing biodiversity,” added Carrato.

Learn more about the project – Tapajós for Life aims to strengthen territories and protected areas in the Tapajós River Basin, focusing on three areas: sociobiodiversity; nature and community-based tourism; and territorial management and monitoring. The project promotes sustainable development in the region by supporting local economies, protecting biodiversity, and ensuring effective management of territories and protected areas.

With support from USAID, the project is carried out by a consortium led by WWF-Brazil and includes Operação Amazônia Nativa, Projeto Saúde e Alegria, Conexsus, and Sapopema.