Friends of the Earth Brazil (ATBr)

Conduct training and advocacy against the financialization of nature and violation of rights through rural and urban political activities in support of existing practices of agroecology, community management of territories and relations of solidarity economy between country and city. Through the proposed activities, we expected to consolidate a process of resistance, empowerment and reporting of rights violations through the network formed between the three territories in southern Brazil where we operate.

Training on issues like privatization, commodification and financialization of nature, common goods and public spaces.

Exchange of experiences and reports of rights violations among the members of each collective.

Production of audiovisual and text materials systematizing the guidelines and referrals to each of the activities provided by the project.

Production of a dossier on rights violations.

Dossier launch with the representatives of the communities and organizations involved with CaSaNAT – Permanent Headquarters of Friends of the Earth Brazil, which became a reference in terms of sustainable buildings in the city.

Monitoring and production of information on an ADI (direct action of unconstitutionality) on the Forest Code and on the REDD (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) bill.

Porto Alegre illustrates the contradictions of Brazilian urban reality, with fewer and fewer collective spaces, having had its master plan altered for the benefit of construction companies, with no decent housing for the population, favoring proprietarily luxury condominiums. These condominiums, also known as gentrification generators, land hundreds of hectares and consecrate themselves as “green havens” at the same time they drive out of their territory farmers and fishermen who have long contributed to the food sovereignty of the region. What we experience today is a completely financialized city where “green” certifications are validate and gain strength in the eyes of public opinion.

In Maquiné, on the North coast, the preservationist policy that supports the creation of parks and reserves has generated removals of farming families, criminalizing their traditional management practices and their way of living in this territory. Meanwhile, agribusiness become strong and expands on the productive land in the most accessible and flat areas, making use of machines and having access to plenty of water.

In the Pampa region, the main fight is against the monoculture of soy and eucalyptus. It is estimated that in the past seven years, 1 million hectares (25% of the biome) were filled with eucalyptus and pine, favoring pulp mills and logging and obviously threatening the livelihoods of thousands of families of farmers and agrarian reform settlers in the region.

ATBr works with communities in support of popular demands that promote social justice, environmental and combat the violation of human rights in Porto Alegre/RS. Internationally, the organization is a member of Friends of the Earth Federation, which offers support to members who have had their rights violated through the human rights and nature defenders protection program. The entity is included in several actions of resistance and popular mobilization, such as the struggle for housing, land and territory, transportation, women’s rights, respect for sexual, racial and cultural diversity.

International Friends of the Earth Federation
Brazilian Network on Multilateral Financial Institutions.
World March of Women.
Jubilee South.
Carta de Belém.
Urban Occupations Forum of the Metropolitan Region.
MTST - Movement of Homeless Workers.
ECOnsciousness Institute.
Green Belt Movement.
Institute of Architects of Brazil.
Herval Biodiversity Group.
Working Group on Community Management of Maquiné