The Xingu Seed Network is among the 11 winners of the Ashden Awards 2020, an international award for climate solutions. The network was chosen from more than 200 proposals from around the world.
The award is given annually by Ashden, a UK-based organization that gives visibility and support to innovative climate and energy initiatives around the world – including companies, non-governmental and public sector organizations that are delivering proven solutions.
Winners receive a cash prize, support for the development of the initiative, and the opportunity to connect with investors in the energy and climate sector.
“These organizations do more than reduce emissions – they create new jobs, improve health and reduce inequality. They are the face of the future, ”said Harriet Lamb, Ashden’s CEO.
“It is a recognition of the initiative and the work done over these 13 years of existence”, celebrates Bruna Ferreira, director of the Associação Associação de Sementes do Xingu.
The Xingu Seeds Network is made up of 568 indigenous, urban collectors and family farmers, mostly women, and has consolidated itself as the largest network for the sale of native seeds in Brazil.
In more than ten years of work, the network and its partners have recovered 6.6 thousand hectares of degraded areas in the Xingu and Araguaia basin and other regions of Cerrado and Amazon. For that, more than 221 tons of seeds of 220 native species were used.
The initiative is already a benchmark for community seed production in Brazil. “It is an alternative income that comes from the forest, valuing environmental and cultural diversity. In the context of climatic emergency, the Seed Network is our greatest example of a possible future ”, emphasizes Ferreira.
The Xingu Seed Network is supported by the European Union, Conservation International, Partnerships for Forests (P4F), Funbio, Bacuri Institute, Rainforest Foundation Norway, DGM, Good Energies, PPP Ecos / ISPN, and Amaz.
Collector Yarang benefits from Murici-da-Mata seeds, Indigenous Territory of Xingu (MT)
Actions to confront Covid-19
Recognized for their innovative climate solutions, many of the Ashden Awards finalists and winners were also congratulated for their quick and effective responses to the Covid-19 pandemic, including the Xingu Seed Network.
With the advancement of Covid-19 in Brazil, the Seed Network has been working to ensure the health and safety of collectors and staff. Hygiene and protection kits, as well as materials for seed processing, were sent last week.
Seed collection continues within each family nucleus or village, and delivery will be made by appointment, to avoid agglomerations. In order to ensure the financial sustainability and isolation of its members, the Network will prepay 21 tons of seeds and extend the amount of the Revolving Fund, a credit fund for collectors.
Still, at least five cases were recorded and one death by Covid-19 – that of Mônica Renhinhãi’õ (photo below) – among the Xavante women collectors of the Marãiwatsédé Indigenous Land. Until the end of this text, TI already accounted for 25 cases and three deaths.
Actions to confront Covid-19
Recognized for their innovative climate solutions, many of the Ashden Awards finalists and winners were also congratulated for their quick and effective responses to the Covid-19 pandemic, including the Xingu Seed Network.
With the advancement of Covid-19 in Brazil, the Seed Network has been working to ensure the health and safety of collectors and staff. Hygiene and protection kits, as well as materials for seed processing, were sent last week.
Seed collection continues within each family nucleus or village, and delivery will be made by appointment, to avoid agglomerations. In order to ensure the financial sustainability and isolation of its members, the Network will prepay 21 tons of seeds and extend the amount of the Revolving Fund, a credit fund for collectors.
Still, at least five cases were recorded and one death by Covid-19 – that of Mônica Renhinhãi’õ (photo below) – among the Xavante women collectors of the Marãiwatsédé Indigenous Land. Until the end of this text, TI already accounted for 25 cases and three deaths.
AMAZ, ISA AND THE XINGU SEEDS NETWORK
2% percent of all Amaz sales go to the Xingu Seeds Network, a non-profit organization that promotes reforestation and agroforestry within the Brazilian Amazon. It is a social, ecological and community movement that collects tree seeds, and redistributes them to replant deforested areas of the Xingu River basin, bringing new agroforestry technologies to areas in need.
Xingu Seeds Network emerged from an initiative of the Instituto Socioambiental (ISA), a non-profit Brazilian civil society organization, founded in 1994, to promote integrated and inclusive solutions to social and environmental issues. ISA believes in the defense of social, collective and diffuse environmental and social rights & resources, cultural heritage, and human rights.