USAID Launches US$ 17.8 million Nature-Based Solutions Program in the Brazilian Amazon

May, 2024 – U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) in partnership with  CIFOR-ICRAF and other partners announced the establishment of the Regenerative Agriculture for the Conservation of the Amazon (ARCA) program. 

The program will invest US$17.8 million to support actions at various levels (local and national) aiming to reduce the causes of deforestation and degradation, greenhouse gas emissions and biodiversity loss through the promotion of rural development, support to public policies, training and scientific studies focusing on the development and implementation of agroforestry systems.  

Training and activities will be carried out with traditional and rural populations to facilitate the adoption and dissemination of regenerative practices. The program supports access to resources and markets and provides subsidies for policies and investments. ARCA will conduct operations in Pará, Mato Grosso and Maranhão, to strengthen the Arc of Deforestation areas in the Amazon.

Multi-stakeholder partners will develop the capacity of grassroots organizations and participate in governance forums. Small grants will be disbursed to jointly develop technological solutions, territorial planning processes and inputs for current and future public policies.

CIFOR-ICRAF is a forestry and agroforestry research center, and involves four strategic partners – Instituto Socioambiental (ISA), Instituto Sociedade População e Natureza (ISPN), Instituto Ouro Verde (IOV) and The Nature Conservancy (TNC) Brazil. The program is funded by USAID and will last four years.