Sowing Knowledge, Planting Forests: Linking Education, Biodiversity Conservation and Climate Action
In southeastern Brazil, a pioneering project for ecological restoration is taking root. The new training programme connects science, practice, and local communities to transform degraded landscapes into living forests—contributing to biodiversity, climate protection, and social inclusion.
At the heart of Brazil’s Atlantic Forest (Mata Atlântica), one of the most biodiverse yet most threatened forest ecosystems on Earth, a new project for sustainable development is emerging with the support of the International Climate Initiative (IKI): REPLÂNTICA.
The name stands for “Capacity Building in Forest Restoration: Biodiversity and Climate Protection in the Mata Atlântica.” Its goal: to empower local people to plant forests, protect ecosystems, and take an active role in combating climate change.
Learning in and from the Forest
The ecological reserve REGUA (Reserva Ecológica de Guapiaçu)—a multiple award-winning model of successful forest restoration—is located in the Guapiaçu watershed, a crucial water source for over 2.5 million people east of Rio de Janeiro.
Launched in 2024, the REPLÂNTICA programme offers a three-year series of training sessions and workshops for landowners, women in rural areas, students, NGO staff, government officials, and forest restoration practitioners.
The courses in ecological restoration are directed to diverse communities introducing theory and practice, in topics such as biodiversity, hydrology, silviculture, landscape ecology, and tourism under the broad concept of Nature-based Solutions. Without accessible knowledge and practical guidance, local communities struggle to understand how their land management decisions can actively contribute to improving the environmental situation and securing their livelihoods.
The courses are delivered by expert trainers from the Rural Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRRJ) along with practitioners from various institutions and companies, combining theoretical and practical instruction to explore critical questions: How does biodiversity influence forest ecosystem functions and what is the relationship between biodiversity and climate protection? To date, REPLÂNTICA has trained and certified 153 participants, supporting those participants seeking employment in the field of forest restoration.
Creating Partnerships for Restoration
REPLÂNTICA serves as a catalyst for collaboration by bringing together course participants, trainers, and both public and private sector organizations through the Participatory Network for Ecological Restoration. This dynamic network is dedicated to advancing forest restoration across the region by developing and sponsoring partnerships and shared actions.
One of its standout initiatives is a series of matchmaking events that connect trained beneficiaries—such as landowners and restoration practitioners—with companies, NGOs, and government bodies eager to support ecological restoration. These encounters spark new collaborations, mobilize resources, and translate training into tangible restoration outcomes.
By combining capacity building, strategic networking, and multi-sector engagement, REPLÂNTICA has become a local success story—empowering a growing community of stakeholders to take active roles in restoring Brazil’s Atlantic Forest.
Through the combination of education, research, and international partnership, REPLÂNTICA demonstrates how global cooperation can generate local impact—and how people can learn to shape a sustainable future in harmony with nature.
Background Information
Through its Institute for Natural Resources Technology and Management (ITT), TH Köln – University of Applied Sciences—the implementing organization of the REPLÂNTICA project—has built a strong presence in Brazil, focusing on applied research, environmental education, and capacity development. In collaboration with local institutions, including REGUA, TH Köln promotes reforestation, biodiversity conservation, and climate resilience.
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Contact
IKI Office
Zukunft – Umwelt – Gesellschaft (ZUG) gGmbH
Stresemannstraße 69-71
10963 Berlin
About IKI Medium Grants
REPLÂNTICA is supported by the IKI Medium Grants programme (IMG), which is implemented by Zukunft - Umwelt - Gesellschaft (ZUG) gGmbH. With the IMG programme, the German government funds projects for climate action and biodiversity conservation that specifically involve smaller civil society actors in developing and emerging countries.
