WP 4 (18 months, objective 4). Enhance research capacity. (Lead: Dr Lisandra Krebs, MA Concita Sompre, Dr Adriana Portella).

This WP will be co-designed and implemented since day one of this project and beyond the research. It will create The Research Indigenous Communities of Practice (RICOP) for climate change studies in Brazil. A community of practice is an approach to learning where members share best practices and deepen their knowledge through interaction on an ongoing basis (Wynn, Delbridge, Palermo & Wilson, 2023; Maditsi & Materechera, 2021). RICOP will provide a platform where voices, rights, knowledge, and experiences of Indigenous communities can be heard, respected, and negotiated in climate change debates. RICOP aim is to support Amazon Indigenous and local communities’ initiatives backing up local projects, ensuring protection, and advocating for formal recognition of Indigenous People as leaders in climate-resilience. RICOP members will include Indigenous People and leaders, as well as local communities, practitioners, academics, policymakers, representatives from government and non-governmental organisations, academics, and researchers. RICOP will promote and support breakthrough ideas, new knowledge, and new practices for climate change governance. At the same time, RICOP will address topics and projects identified as important by Indigenous communities in WPs1-3 (e.g., water contamination, Indigenous land tenure rights, etc.) and develop tools to support these through and beyond the research. We will develop transdisciplinary learning events, collaborative dialogue, training, and shared dissemination opportunities. Meetings before and after each WPs will be organized to provide opportunities for shared learning between Indigenous People, local communities, academics, and decision-makers. At the project’s conclusion, we will host a Research Forum in Brasilia, following COP 30. This forum will facilitate a global discussion on recognising Indigenous knowledge in climate governance. Research findings will be showcased alongside a documentary, mini-doc, and photo exhibition at the National Museum of the Republic.