The Recôncavo da Guanabara Bay Bioregional Fund aims to restore ecological integrity and foster socioeconomic resilience within the Baixada Fluminense region of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This initiative addresses critical environmental and social challenges, including deforestation, loss of biodiversity, and socioeconomic inequality, impacting ecosystem services for approximately 14 million inhabitants in the wider region. Through the establishment of the Caminho do Recôncavo da Guanabara, a long-distance trail, the initiative connects diverse stakeholders, enhances community engagement, and promotes regenerative practices honoring the region's rich cultural heritage.

Background
The Reconcavo da Guanabara Bioregion, encompassing the municipalities of Magé, Duque de Caxias, Guapimirim, and Cachoeiras de Macacu, has a history marked by complex socio-environmental dynamics. The mountain ranges surrounding the region, such as the Serra dos Órgãos and the Serra da Estrela, are highly relevant to the landscape formation and water dynamics. The highest point in the region is Pedra do Sino, located in the Serra dos Órgãos, with an altitude of 2,275 meters. The territorial identity is deeply influenced by the interaction between its communities and the rivers that flow through the region. Among the main rivers are the Estrela River and the Inhomirim River, which play a central role in the local economy and ecology. Once a prosperous economic hub during the colonial period, the region has suffered severe degradation over time due to uncontrolled industrialization, urban expansion, and poor land management. These factors have resulted in critical ecological and social challenges, particularly related to the Estrela and Inhomirim rivers.
Environmental Degradation and Pollution: Inadequate land use in the cities of the Baixada Fluminense has severely impacted local ecosystems, with the siltation and pollution of essential rivers such as the Estrela and Inhomirim. Unregulated expansion, combined with the improper disposal of industrial and urban waste, deeply affects these water bodies. In Magé and Duque de Caxias, untreated sewage discharge and landfills, such as the now-closed Jardim Gramacho, overwhelm the rivers, impairing water supply and agriculture. Furthermore, the accumulation of waste and industrial pollution along these rivers has posed public health risks, while deforestation along riverbanks contributes to erosion and frequent flooding.
Biodiversity Loss: The region is part of the Atlantic Forest biome, recognized as a biodiversity hotspot, but only about 7% of the original forest cover remains, 5% has been recovered. Deforestation, driven by agricultural and urban expansion, threatens native species, many of which are at risk of extinction. In Guapimirim and Cachoeiras de Macacu, the remaining forest areas, including the Serra dos Órgãos National Park, are vital for conservation but are also under pressure. Rivers like the Inhomirim, which flows through Guapimirim and Guanabara Bay, still host sensitive ecosystems, but their role in supporting biodiversity is threatened by pollution and improper land use.
Social Inequality: The Baixada Fluminense is characterized by stark social inequalities, with wealth concentrated in a few hands while widespread poverty persists. According to IBGE (Brazilian National Statistic Data) in cities like Magé and Duque de Caxias, more than 40% of the population lives below the poverty line. Many of these communities are composed of descendants of enslaved Africans, who historically settled in quilombos and remain socially and economically marginalized. The chronic lack of basic infrastructure, such as sanitation and education, is a recurring problem, and the degradation of the Estrela and Inhomirim rivers further exacerbates the difficulties of these communities, which depend on these water sources for consumption and agricultural production.
Urban Challenges: The accelerated and unregulated urbanization in the municipalities of the Baixada Fluminense has strained local infrastructure. In Duque de Caxias, rapid population growth without adequate planning has resulted in critical issues such as insufficient public transport, inadequate sewage systems, and frequent power outages. The unregulated growth has also affected rural areas, especially in Magé and Guapimirim, where informal settlements along riverbanks increase the risk of flooding. The expansion of favelas without access to basic services creates precarious living conditions, and the lack of proper solid waste management increases the region's vulnerability to environmental disasters, exacerbating the impact of extreme weather events.
Bioregional Initiative: Caminho do Recôncavo da Guanabara
The initiative Caminho do Recôncavo da Guanabara is a 110 km long-distance trail that crosses five municipalities and connects 200,000 acres of nature which we are stewarding. This trail links three biohubs and passes through several conservation units, integrating key areas of ecological and cultural significance. The name reflects the deep heritage of the region, once a thriving economic and social hub during Portuguese colonization. By revitalizing this history, the trail promotes not only ecological restoration but also a reconnection with the cultural legacy of Guanabara Bay, fostering sustainable development and community engagement along its path.
The Caminho do Recôncavo da Guanabara serves as a sustainable development model by:
Protecting and restoring the Atlantic Forest.
Developing agro-ecological markets for sustainable products.
Promoting community-based tourism to celebrate local heritage.
Objectives
Ecosystem Restoration:Re-establishecologicalsystemstoenhancebiodiversityand ecosystem services.
Socio-Economic Development:Createsustainablebioeconomyopportunitiesfor local communities through a joint purpose and shared resources.
CulturalHeritage Preservation:Acknowledgeandempowerthehistoricalnarrative and contributions of the African descendant population.
Engagement with Stakeholders
Key stakeholders involved in advancing this project include:
Sinal Do Vale: A major asset is our strong Biohub at Sinal do Vale, which has earned the trust of the community and has a proven track record in driving change. It excels at prototyping innovative, place-based solutions that are community-driven and locally supported.
Movimento Viva Água: A local capacity builder, collaborating with significant organizations for ecosystem restoration.
Ecoaba: A local agronomic technical advisor who has relations with many farmers in the area and has successfully implemented regional agroforestry projects in the past.
Bioregional stakeholders: Our extensive network of bioregional stakeholders is another key resource. Over the past 20 years, we have built strong coalitions and guided these stakeholders toward a shared vision of sustainable development.
UN Decade Flagship Connection: Our deep ties to the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, with Thais serving as co-chair, enable us to share insights globally and advocate for this model on an international stage.
Beyonders Collective contribution
Unlocking Resources - Setting up Bioregional Financing Facility
Beyonders Collective was instrumental in ensuring this project was selected to participate in the BioFi Cultivator Program, which is an international initiative launched
by The Biofi Project. Together with 14 other global projects we will experiment with
setting up a Bioregional Fund for the Reconcavo Da Guanabara.
Gitcoin Fundraising campaign
Beyonders Collective submitted this project in the GItcoin fundraising round as an
experiment to raise funds from the Gitcoin community. This process helped articulate
the narrative for the project, even if the funds raised were minimal.
Developing the strategic narrative
Beyonders Collective helped articulate the strategic narrative for the wider project in
collaboration with Sinal Do Vale. This ensures that we now can share a strong vision
that funders and other stakeholders can align to.
Key learnings
Project is in start phase
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