Brazil will directly benefit from this Project. Brazil is currently classified as an ODA-eligible country based on its income status. The project anticipates that Brazil will continue to be ODA-eligible throughout the research duration. The project aligns directly with several SDGs, mainly including SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 15 (Life on Land), and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions).

By co-designing climate change policies and research methods with Amazon Indigenous communities, the project contributes to achieving these global goals.

There are many barriers in Brazil to Indigenous People recognition and participation on climate change policies and governance (e.g. ineffective government priorities and leadership). Previous president administration (2020-2023) has not prioritized Indigenous communities and climate action. Climate policies, institutional structures, and laws have been undermined or reversed, leading to negative consequences (e.g. increase in illegal invasions of Indigenous lands, deaths of more than 1,160 Indigenous People in 163 communities). Despite announcements of the actual government (2024-), the credibility of climate goals remains uncertain due to the lack of concrete short-term and ambitious measures. To target the SDGs goals, the Indigenous Centred Research approach will drive all aspects of this project, including team building, setting research agendas, tool development and empirical research. This approach will target issues and problems that are relevant to Indigenous communities and those responsible for bringing about change. Collaborative working with Amazon Indigenous communities, local communities, policy makers and practitioners will provide the dialogue space to enable the co-design of climate change strategies led by the ancestral knowledge of Amazon Indigenous communities.

By integrating Amazon Indigenous wisdom, the project seeks to enhance resilience, sustainability, and community well-being in the face of climate challenges and governance. In all research activities, there is an emphasis on the genuine ongoing collaborative dialogue and partnership-working that will build capacity beyond the analysis. This is needed if we are seeking to situate the voice of the Amazon Indigenous People in contemporary debates on climate change and sustainable development.

This research supports that an effective climate change design policy model involves trust and collaboration between Indigenous communities, local communities, government, and private sector. It is also recognised that Indigenous livelihoods depend on traditional practices tied to their environment and climate disruptions challenge these practices. These disruptions affect food security, health, and cultural continuity. Therefore, empowering Indigenous communities’ voices and participation in the climate change policy decision making and implementation is a mandatory issue. 

The project’s outcomes are also expected to promote economic development and welfare in Brazil and others ODA countries by a series of inter-linked components.