UNESCO’s Brazil office and the Vale Fund for Sustainable Development have signed a memorandum of understanding to develop a cooperative strategy to support environmental management projects. The initiative will begin by training managers of protected areas in the National System of Conservation Units (SNUC), especially those recognized as Biosphere Reserves and Natural World Heritage Sites.
One of the first activities planned entails capacity building to help managers produce business plans to ensure the financial sustainability of conservation units.
The partnership also features targets as part of priority action areas established by UNESCO, such as encouraging sustainable management and conserving habitat.
Conservation and economic development
One of the main aims of the agreement is to engage with communities living around conservation areas. A key focus is young people, who will receive training to view the protection of natural habitat as a source of opportunities, strengthening the local economy.
Since 2009, the Vale Fund has been supporting projects that use natural resources in a sustainable way, making conservation a path to economic development. In partnership with various companies and renowned organizations, the Fund has so far granted approximately R$13.9 million to eight projects that mainly operate in the Amazon.