The EcoBrazil workshop in Belém established a robust partnership between the United Kingdom and Brazil to advance Amazonian biodiversity conservation and climate resilience.

The EcoBrazil workshop at the Federal University of Pará (UFPA) in Belém convened 56 participants, including 19 from UK universities and 37 representing Brazilian universities, NGOs, community organizations, and professional associations. The expanded participation, achieved by offering complimentary access for local students and early-career researchers (ECRs), enhanced inclusivity and the workshop's overall impact.

Executive summary

EcoBrazil provided a dynamic forum for scientists, planners, and civil society leaders to exchange methodologies and empirical evidence, collaboratively develop project concepts, and establish a joint research agenda for the Amazon. Key outcomes included the formation of over 50 new institutional and individual partnerships, initiation of two joint grant proposals, drafting of several co-authored journal articles, immediate access for ECRs to complimentary sustainability-focused continuing professional development (CPD) through the University of the Built Environment (UBE), and the launch of a three-year digital collaboration platform at eco-brazil.com to monitor progress, disseminate resources, and maintain engagement.

Background & urgency

The Amazon region contains exceptional biodiversity and plays a critical role in global climate regulation, but is increasingly threatened by urbanization, land-use change, and climate-related impacts. EcoBrazil addresses these challenges by integrating United Kingdom methodological expertise, such as simulation modeling, evidence synthesis, and digital capacity building, with Brazilian context-specific knowledge, including ecosystem monitoring, community-led conservation, and indigenous and traditional knowledge. The primary objective is to co-produce research that informs practical strategies for biodiversity conservation and resilient development.

Workshop aims

EcoBrazil pursued eight specific objectives, each operationalized during the workshop:

Build ECR capacity through mentored presenting, feedback, and proposal development.
Explore digital solutions (e.g., modelling, data platforms) to test “what‑if” scenarios for conservation and development.
Strengthen UK–Brazil links across senior academics, ECRs, industry, NGOs, and policy actors.
Motivate and mentor young researchers to address real‑world human–environment challenges.
Sustain collaboration via publications, proposals, and a living network beyond the event.
Bridge sectors (academia, industry, government, and NGOs) to accelerate uptake and impact.
Enhance national expertise in participatory research and policy design, with a focus on vulnerable groups.
Disseminate findings through open web channels, institutional sites, and academic outputs.

Programme design & activities

Plenary sessions on biodiversity conservation, climate resilience, and resilient land-use planning were grounded in AmazoniRapid-fire presentations and poster sessions, enabling all participants, particularly those presenting for the first time, to demonstrate their methodologies, receive focused feedback, and develop professional confidence.
Structured group work to co‑design project ideas, map data needs, and allocate roles for post‑workshop follow‑through.
Mentoring clinics pair ECRs with senior academics for practical guidance on publication strategies, grant writing, and career planning.
Roundtables with local government representatives in Pará, NGOs, and professional associations to align research questions with policy and community priority needs.

Participation, inclusion & gender equality

56 participants: 19 from the UK; 37 from Brazil (universities, NGOs, and other organisations).
Expanded access enabled more doctoral students and ECRs to join, with several attending. Female participants served as presenters, discussants, and group facilitators, and the mentorship teams were gender-diverse to ensure balanced representation. Session formats, such as poster rotations and small group discussions, ensured that all voices were heard, regardless of gender or seniority.

Safeguarding, welfare & accessibility

No safeguarding incidents were reported. The team implemented proactive measures:

UFPA safeguarding staff were invited to assist and act as confidential points of contact.
Separate vehicles were arranged to ensure safe and comfortable transportation for diverse needs.
Senior professors served as mentors and group monitors, maintaining inclusive, respectful dynamics and intervening early if concerns arose.
These steps, coupled with clear pre-event guidance, created a safe and supportive environment for participants of all genders and backgrounds.

Outcomes & early results

Collaboration network: More than 50 new connections were established among universities, NGOs, and government agencies, including numerous first-time United Kingdom–Brazil collaborations for ECRs.
Funding pipeline: Two joint proposals now in preparation (1) to expand the Amazonia workshop series; (2) a Research Environment Links bid to strengthen institutional capacity in Brazil (UFPA–UBE lead).
Publications: Multiple co‑authored papers under development on biodiversity monitoring, ecosystem modelling, resilient land‑use, and community‑centred approaches.
Capacity building: The University of the Built Environment (UBE) will provide complimentary sustainability-focused CPD to Brazilian and United Kingdom ECRs. An ongoing series of online seminars will facilitate continued knowledge exchange and mentorship.
Policy pathways: Meetings with Pará government representatives and NGOs initiated channels for briefing notes and potential consultation inputs into regional planning.

Research outputs & visibility

The project website, eco-brazil.com , hosts workshop summaries, participant contributions, and updates.
Institutional dissemination: UFPA and UBE are preparing features on their channels to reach academic, policy, and community audiences.
Planned outputs: Early-career researchers will contribute blogs and reflective articles on their initial presentation experiences and key insights. Additional outputs include reusable slide decks, data summaries, preprints, and journal submissions as manuscripts are finalized.

Digital legacy & three‑year support

The EcoBrazil website will serve as a digital hub for three years, tracking outputs, providing resources, and enabling ongoing collaboration among researchers. This ensures continued progress and visible impact beyond in-person events.

Impact on careers

EcoBrazil marked a turning point for early-career researchers, giving them international visibility, feedback from senior academics, and strong professional networks. Participants now leverage this experience for fellowships, jobs, and collaborations, including ongoing publications and exchanges.

Next steps

Immediate actions include finalizing and submitting the two joint funding proposals, publishing initial blog reflections and workshop summaries, and announcing the inaugural webinar series for early-career researchers.
Within 12 to 24 months, the initiative will launch researcher exchanges and visiting fellowships, co-author and submit journal articles, and organize a follow-up workshop to assess progress and refine the research agenda.
Over the next three to five years, the project aims to formalize a United Kingdom–Brazil consortium dedicated to biodiversity, resilience, and sustainable development in Amazonia. Planned activities include co-developing curricula, co-taught modules, and summer schools, as well as strengthening policy engagement through ongoing briefings and evidence-based dialogues.

By the numbers

56 participants (19 UK; 37 Brazil)
50+ new links and collaborations
2 joint grant applications underway
3 years of digital support via eco-brazil.com
0 safeguarding incidents

Feedback

“EcoBrazil shows what’s possible when international expertise and local knowledge meet. We built a collaborative engine for evidence‑based action that will keep delivering for the Amazon.” Lead organiser.

“Presenting for the first time to an international audience and being mentored through the process changed how I frame my research and where I see my career going.” ECR participant.

“The dialogue with NGOs and public officials grounded the science in community realities. That mix is where real impact happens.” Senior mentor.

About the partners

Federal University of Pará (UFPA) is a leading Brazilian institution in Amazonian research with strong ties to regional communities and policy actors. University of the Built Environment (UBE), formerly UCEM, is a UK institution with global experience in sustainable development, digital construction, and capacity building through online learning and CPD.

Acknowledgements

EcoBrazil was delivered with the support of the British Council’s Amazonia BR/UK Workshops programme and in close partnership with UFPA and UBE. The organisers thank participating universities, NGOs, and community partners whose commitment made the event a success.

For further information and ongoing updates, please visit eco-brazil.com.
For media inquiries and partnership opportunities, contact the organizing team at the provided details.