Cerrado Program

Develops integrated and coordinated actions with peoples, communities and institutions for the conservation of the Cerrado.

Agroecological producer Elida Cristina Martins, Mato Grosso, Pantanal. Photo: Fellipe Abreu / ISPN Collection

A farmer maintains an irrigation canal, allowing food crops to be grown in the Arrojado Valley in Bahia, 2025. Photo: Fillipe Abreu/ISPN Collection

Female leaders leading political advocacy in the Cerrativismo 2025 project. Photo: ISPN Archive

The Cerrado Program is dedicated to increasing visibility and conservation of the Cerrado, one of the most biodiverse and, at the same time, threatened biomes in the world. Its objective is to promote integration between environmental conservation actions, sustainable development, and respect for the rights of indigenous peoples, traditional communities, and family farmers. Furthermore, it aims to influence public policies that ensure the rights of these communities.

Using an approach that combines dialogue and partnership building, knowledge management, training processes, and public policy advocacy, the Program seeks to consolidate effective conservation strategies, including expanding recognition of traditional territories and reducing deforestation in the Cerrado.

Who supports us

Ecosia

CLUA

CEPF

External Joints

Cerrado Network

Observatório do Clima (Climate Observatory)

National Campaign in Defense of the Cerrado

MATOPIBA Observatory

National Council of Traditional Peoples and Communities

PCT Network

Projects

Project status

Beyond Forests

In progress

Financier(s): Deutsche Umwelthilfe eV (DUH), Ecosia

Production of qualified information with the aim of expanding the reach of key messages about the Brazilian Cerrado to international audiences. It also works to promote the rights of local communities by disseminating information on international debates and commitments that may affect their livelihoods.

Resilient Cerrado (CERES)

closed

Financier(s): European Union, WWF Brazil, WWF Netherlands, WWF Paraguay

Completed in December 2024, the project developed actions that contributed to the conservation of the Cerrado in Brazil and Paraguay, and supported the strengthening of traditional populations and family farmers in the regions in the fight for their rights. The project supported 32 projects through the Ecos Fund.

Cerrativism, women of the waters

In progress

Financier(s): Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF)

The project aims to expand conservation of the Cerrado biome by supporting the strengthening of the work and communication of women activists in the Cerrado region. It is supported by the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) and the IEB and will run from January to December 2025.

Validity Period: From 01/2025 to 12/2025

I'm on the map

In progress

Financier(s): Climate and Land Use Alliance

Promoting initiatives to increase the visibility of Brazil's traditional communities through participatory mapping using the "Tô no Mapa" app. This initiative is being implemented in partnership with IPAM, Rede Cerrado, and Instituto Cerrados.

Fire under control: how air humidity can make burning safer in the Cerrado.

A study in the Chapada das Mesas National Park (MA) indicates that measuring relative air humidity is a simple and effective tool for reducing risks and increasing control over fires.

6 May 2026

News

Platform exposes link between commodities and human rights violations in Brazilian agriculture.

The tool integrates information from 2002 to 2023 and pushes for accountability in supply chains.

April 30th 2026

News