Three meetings of the Babaçu Fund Management Committee (GCFB) were held, along with a workshop for strategic planning of the proposed training center, and visits to partner organizations already supported by the Amazon Fund to exchange experiences on management tools and accountability for socio-environmental projects.
As a result, the 6th and 8th Calls for Proposals of the Babaçu Fund were launched with resources from the Amazon Fund, aimed at supporting projects from community groups and organizations composed of babaçu nut breakers across the project’s target states. Dissemination activities included news releases, newsletters, in-person awareness meetings in communities, radio spots, and a live broadcast on MIQCB’s YouTube channel.
The 6th Call received 27 socio-environmental proposals, of which 19 were approved by the Babaçu Fund Management Committee, 14 associations and 4 cooperatives, benefiting 25 municipalities, with a total investment of R$ 1.6 million. To guide the selected organizations on the use of funds and reporting procedures, a Project Management Workshop was held on March 19–20, 2024. The 8th Call, with a total budget of R$ 779,000, closed on August 23, 2024.
Regarding governance of the Babaçu Fund, two guiding documents were developed for beneficiary organizations: the “Management and Accountability Guide: Projects Supported by the Babaçu Fund” and the “Babaçu Fund Operational Manual: Guiding Document for Resource Allocation in Socio-Environmental Projects.”
The regional multidisciplinary advisory teams supported both the dissemination of calls for proposals, through outreach to potential applicant organizations, and assistance to those selected under the 6th Call. Vehicles purchased for the project had their annual registrations and insurance policies renewed.
Component 2: Institutional strengthening of MIQCB and agro-extractive communities of women babaçu nut breakers
In 2023, the IX Inter-State Gathering of Babaçu Nut Breakers was held in the city of Augustinópolis (TO), bringing together 358 participants. The event included participatory workshops and the General Assembly for the election of the General Coordination. Five regional meetings were held with the participation of 699 people.
Regarding institutional strengthening, external audit services for the years 2022 and 2023 were carried out by Audimec Auditores Independentes, and the reports were submitted without reservations.
A Communication and Transparency Plan was also developed.
Four electronic newsletters were produced about project activities, and a radio spot was created to publicize the 8th call for proposals of the Babaçu Fund. Three videos were also produced to promote the Babaçu Nut Breakers Training Center (one about the journey of the first group of women, one about the youth group, and one about the graduation of the first cohort of women). Additionally, updates were made to the website, and articles about the project were published on social media and in the press.
In terms of strengthening associations, MIQCB participated in events on public policies related to the environment, agricultural production, and social technologies, such as the 1st Brazilian Mission-Oriented Innovation Forum and Dialogues and Social Participation: Agrarian Development and Family Agriculture, contributing to the dissemination of the project, the Training Center, and the Babaçu Fund.
Field activities were carried out in MIQCB regional offices, involving project planning, evaluation, and monitoring, as well as training on administrative and financial procedures and dissemination of the Babaçu Fund calls for proposals.
The first exchange between 19 women agro-extractive producers from the Tocantins and Imperatriz regions enabled knowledge-sharing in the Akroá-Gamella Indigenous Territory (Viana/MA) and the Sesmaria do Jardim Quilombo (Matinha/MA). The initiative strengthened socio-environmental preservation, agroecology, babaçu processing, and reflections on land regularization and access to babaçu forests.
Component 3: Training in socio-environmental projects related to babaçu agro-extractivism
Furniture and complementary materials were purchased for the Babaçu Nut Breakers Training Center, and the Pedagogical Plan of the course “Sharing Knowledge, Designing Projects, and Preserving the Babaçu Forest” was revised. The course includes three modules totaling 300 hours and is offered as an extension program in partnership with the Federal Institute of Maranhão (IFMA), with support from volunteer professors and facilitators. The project funds logistics costs for professors and facilitators.
Four classes were offered, two for women and two for youth, with a total of 121 participants from MIQCB regional groups. Participants received a kit including a backpack, shirt, and stationery, as well as transportation, food, and accommodation assistance.
As part of the training process, exchange visits were organized: the first women’s cohort visited the Quilombo of Itamatatiua (Alcântara/MA), where they participated in a pottery workshop, meetings, and cultural activities; the first youth cohort visited the Piçarra Preta Indigenous Village (Bom Jardim/MA), where they toured a reforestation area, joined discussion circles, and took part in a photography workshop with Mídia Guajajara. A total of 45 students graduated: 26 women and 19 youth.
MIQCB continued building a network of partnerships with educators and academic institutions. A Technical Cooperation Agreement was signed with the State University of Maranhão (UEMA) to establish a higher education program, a Bachelor's Degree in Rural Education with a focus on the humanities, tailored for babaçu nut breakers and agro-extractive workers, with federal funding through the National Program for the Training of Basic Education Teachers (Parfor).
Also noteworthy was the “1st Regional Seminar: Land Regularization of Traditional Territories – Northeast,” conducted by MIQCB in partnership with the Ministry of Agrarian Development (MDA) and the Ministry of the Environment (MMA), held at the Federal University of Maranhão (UFMA).
