"We are not just forest, we are people," highlights Helder Barbalho during the signing of Inova Sociobio 2.0
The government of Pará announces a new investment of over R$ 3 million to strengthen 20 community enterprises of sociobiodiversity
The government of Pará reaffirmed, this Tuesday (11), its commitment to strengthening community-based bioeconomy by signing contracts for the projects selected in the second edition of the Inova Sociobio Program, during the programming of the Forum Connections for Bioeconomy, at the Bioeconomy and Innovation Park of the Amazon, in Belém.
The initiative, coordinated by the State Secretariat for Environment, Climate and Sustainability (Semas) within the scope of the State Plan for Amazon Now (PEAA) and the State Plan for Bioeconomy (PlanBio), has an investment of R$ 3.4 million in this new phase. The amount will be allocated to the direct support of 20 new community enterprises, benefiting 3,270 families, 1,270 young people, and 2,105 women throughout the state.
Governor Helder Barbalho emphasized that Inova Sociobio is more than a funding program: it is a public policy aimed at valuing traditional knowledge and consolidating a sustainable and inclusive economic model. "Over time, many people, when talking about the Amazon, only talked about the forest. We are not just forest. We are forest, but above all, we are people. And it will only be possible to take care of the forest if we take care of the people," said the governor.
During the contract signing ceremony with the selected community networks, Helder Barbalho also announced a new investment of R$ 3.5 million, which will allow for the expansion of the program's coverage and open a new public call aimed at indigenous, quilombola, extractive, and rural producer communities.
"Sociobioeconomy is the way. The government of Pará is consolidating this development model, which combines innovation, income generation, and environmental conservation," he highlighted.
The Secretary of Environment, Climate and Sustainability, Raul Protázio Romão, emphasized that the new phase of Inova Sociobio strengthens the protagonism of the forest peoples. "Pará represents approximately 78% of Brazil's bioeconomy. And none of this would be possible without the communities that live and produce in the Amazon," pointed out the secretary.
Inova Sociobio 2.0 expands the reach of the first edition of the program, which was implemented in 2022 and has already shown significant results in strengthening the productive chains of sociobiodiversity. In this new phase, the supported organizations undergo technical training and begin the execution of work plans focused on productive improvements, equipment acquisition, and strengthening community chains.
The Director of Climate and Environment at the British Embassy in Brazil, Graham Knight, praised the partnership with Pará and highlighted the international relevance of the initiative. "What we see here is an extraordinary example of implementation. The state of Pará shows how it is possible to create dignified economies for communities and protect the Amazon, essential not only for Brazil but for the world," he declared.
With the launch of Inova Sociobio 2.0, Pará further strengthens its protagonism in the agenda of a just, inclusive, and low-carbon transition, boosting community bionegotiations, protecting the living forest, and strengthening the role of the Amazonian bioeconomy as a vector for sustainable development.
