AMAZÔNIA PROMOTES THE PROTAGONISM AND THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE PEOPLES OF THE FOREST
For traditional communities, the cooperative model represents an ideal solution to reduce poverty and vulnerability, and to improve the quality of life and social well-being.
The role of the social enterprise goes far beyond the generation and distribution of income. A cooperative contributes to sustainable development and promotes the social inclusion of its members, who join forces and get organized to ensure the livelihoods of their families. This effort creates an economy of forest products that reconcile conservation and development.
Amazônia has promoted the birth of the local cooperative, CoopXixuaú, in the Jauaperi Extractive Reserve, between the Brazilian states of Amazonas and Roraima, right in the heart of the Amazon rainforest.
Composed exclusively of traditional inhabitants, the Cooperativa Mista Agro Extrativista do Xixuaú has been managing various commercial activities since 2009 such as community-based ecotourism, scientific research, the sale of non-wood forest products, the production of traditional handicrafts and micro-credit initiatives for its partners. Currently, CoopXixuaú provides jobs to 6 communities, generates direct income for 50 families and indirect income for most of the reserve’s population.