Supporting Communities Through Health, Education, and Environmental Action.
On 26 November 2025, the Trocano Araretama REDD+ Project, implemented by Go Balance, carried out a coordinated series of social-environmental and monitoring activities across multiple communities in Borba, Amazonas. These activities form part of the long-term approach taken by the Trocano Project REDD+, and it’s commitment to supporting local communities while strengthening forest protection through integrated, on-the-ground engagement.
Working in partnership with the Municipal Department of Public Policies for Women and the Amazonas State Institute for Agricultural and Sustainable Forestry Development (IDAM), the Trocano Project team visited the communities of Trocanã, Caiçara, Axinim, and Flexal to deliver health awareness initiatives, educational engagement, and ongoing project monitoring.
Promoting Community Health Through the Blue November Campaign
The first visit took place in the Trocanã community, where the team delivered a health-focused awareness session as part of the Blue November campaign. This initiative emphasised the importance of preventive healthcare, early detection, and regular medical check-ups to support long-term well-being.
The session formed part of broader community outreach activities delivered across the Trocano Project area. The day was structured as an open roundtable discussion, creating space for meaningful dialogue with community members. Alongside the health awareness component, the Trocano Project team also presented an overview of its broader activities, including environmental education, community partnerships, and long-term development goals.
This integrated approach reflects a core principle of the Trocano Project REDD+: forest conservation is intrinsically linked to the well-being of the communities who live within and depend on these landscapes.
Strengthening Education Partnerships in Caiçara
In Caiçara, the team visited the Manoel Lopo Saraiva Municipal School to explore new opportunities for collaboration. Discussions with school leadership focused on practical initiatives that can deliver long-term value to students and the wider community. Proposed initiatives included:
- The introduction of a basic English course delivered through self-paced learning modules designed to be accessible to community members
- The development of the Ecological Toy Project, encouraging students to create toys from recyclable materials
These initiatives are designed not only to enhance educational outcomes but also to reinforce environmental awareness from an early age, aligning with the project’s broader sustainability objectives.
Supporting Sustainable Livelihoods: Meliponiculture in Practice
During the Caiçara visit, the team also conducted a technical follow-up with a local honey producer participating in the project’s meliponiculture programme.
This initiative supports the cultivation of stingless bees, providing an additional source of sustainable income while promoting biodiversity and forest conservation. The producer emphasised the importance of continuing these activities, highlighting their positive impact on both livelihoods and environmental stewardship.
This type of monitoring and feedback is a critical component of the Trocano Project’s approach, ensuring that community programmes remain effective, relevant, and responsive to local needs.
Expanding Environmental Education in Axinim
In the Axinim district, the Trocano Project engaged directly with school leadership and teaching staff to align on future collaboration opportunities. Key proposals included:
- Environmental education lectures for students across all year groups
- Implementation of the Ecological Toy Project for students in grades 6 to 9
In parallel, the school proposed the development of a gardening and tree-planting initiative, including the potential creation of a school garden. This collaborative exchange demonstrates the two-way nature of engagement within the Trocano Project—where community input actively shapes programme development.
The visit also included monitoring discussions with community leadership, including a trained forest firefighter who had previously participated in project-supported training. These follow-ups help ensure continuity between past initiatives and future planning.
Community Engagement and Monitoring in Flexal
The final stage of the visit took place in the Flexal community, where the team focused on direct engagement with residents. Activities included:
- Presenting the Trocano Project’s objectives, activities, and partnerships
- Gathering feedback from community members on local priorities
- Updating contact information to support ongoing communication and coordination
The local representative committed to mobilising all 22 families within the community to support future activities, ensuring that planned initiatives can deliver collective and inclusive benefits.
Integrated Monitoring and Long-Term Impact
Across all communities visited, monitoring activities were carried out alongside programme delivery. This dual approach enables the Trocano Project to:
- Track the effectiveness of existing initiatives
- Identify new opportunities for community support
- Maintain strong relationships with local stakeholders
- Ensure alignment between project activities and community needs
This continuous feedback loop is a defining feature of the Trocano Project REDD+ approach, supporting both social impact and environmental outcomes.
Trocano Project REDD+: A Community-Centred Approach to Forest Protection
The activities carried out on 26 November 2025 highlight the integrated nature of the Trocano Araretama REDD+ Project. Rather than focusing solely on carbon outcomes, the project operates through a holistic model that combines:
- Community health and well-being
- Environmental education
- Sustainable livelihood development
- Ongoing monitoring and engagement
This approach recognises that long-term forest protection is only achievable when communities are actively supported, engaged, and empowered.
As part of the broader portfolio of Go Balance nature-based carbon projects, the Trocano Project reflects a commitment to long-term, on-the-ground impact in the Amazon.
