Forests of the World in Brazil

Forests of the World’s efforts are currently concentrated in the Cerrado – a unique and threatened ecosystem where deforestation, fires and pressured rights threaten both biodiversity and local communities.

Brazil is the latest addition to the list of countries where Forests of the World works. It has long been a desire for us to be present in Brazil and in 2025 we were finally able to start a project in the Cerrado biome. Here we focus on strengthening the harvesting of the Baru nut and creating a sustainable value chain that benefits both nature and people.

The project marks the beginning of a long-term effort for Forests of the World in one of the world’s most forest- and biodiversity rich countries.

The Cerrado

From endangered savannah to a sustainable future

Brazil is a country of unparalleled natural beauty. Home to some of the world’s most unique and valuable forests, from the tropical rainforest of the Amazon to the vast savannahs of the Cerrado, each ecosystem plays a vital role in the biodiversity of the planet.

While many people associate Brazil with the Amazon when we talk about forests, Forests of the World has turned its attention to the Cerrado – one of the world’s most biodiverse savannahs that is increasingly threatened by intensive agricultural production, especially soy production and corn cultivation. Over half of its native vegetation has already been lost, threatening not only the ecosystem but also the livelihoods of the local population.

To counteract this development, Forests of the World works with agroforestry and sustainable value chains in the region to ensure an income for local farmers as an incentive to leave conserve the natural biome instead of converting the land to agriculture.

Threats

Deforestation in the Brazilian Cerrado is currently happening at an alarming rate, threatening both nature and local communities

Agriculture & Livestock

In the Cerrado, forests are being cut down at an alarming rate to free up space for soy and cattle production. In fact, over 50% of the country’s soy production takes place in the Cerrado.

Forest fires & climate

Large parts of the Cerrado burn every year, often as a result of man-made fires used to clear forest. At the same time, drought and climate change are exacerbating the situation, making the area more vulnerable.

Rights under pressure

Indigenous Peoples and local communities are vital to the Cerrado’s protection, but their rights are under pressure. Illegal land grabs and weakened environmental laws are making it harder to defend their territories.

Our latest work in Brazil

The Baru nut is a nutritious crop from the heart of the Brazilian Cerrado. Forests of the World works to promote sustainable resource management and empower local farmers by supporting the production of the Baru nut. By creating a sustainable value chain in collaboration with the local cooperative, CEPPEC; our local partner, ECOA and Nøddebazaren, the goal is to bring the nut – which is also one of the world’s most nutritious nuts – to Denmark.

ECOA – Ecologia e Ação

Ecologia e Ação is an organization that emerged in 1989 in Campo Grande, the capital of Mato Grosso do Sul. Ecologia e Ação was formed by a group of researchers in biology, communication, architecture, social sciences, engineering and education.

Its main objective was then, and still is, to work for environmental protection and sustainable development by increasing the local capacity of civil society, with a special focus on local and traditional communities in the world’s largest freshwater region.

When you support the work of Forests of the World, you also support Brazil

Support the forests

Your support helps the people who live in and from the forests, curbs CO2 emissions from deforestation and not least gives a hand to the thousands of animal and plant species in the forests that we want to protect.

With your support, you help defend the tropical forests of Latin America and Africa, while also supporting our work for more wild Danish forest nature.