Silvana Dilly, the superintendent of the Brazilian Association of Companies of Components for Leather, Footwear, and Artifacts (Assintecal), participated in the Institutional Bioeconomy Mission organized by Sebrae from February 16th to 18th in the territory of Santarém/PA. The mission also included the Alter do Chão District and the cities of Belterra and Mojuí dos Campos. This initiative was another step towards carrying out the Local Iconography project, in which Assintecal, through its Design and Research Center, maps local symbols to apply them in the development of new products and materials.

During the mission, Assintecal’s representative took part in an agenda that combined immersion in the culture of the Lower Amazon with the prospecting of new opportunities. Among the places visited in the “Pearl of the Tapajós,” were the Coomflona Mixed Cooperative of the Tapajós National Forest, which has been conducting sustainable forest management in western Pará since 2005; the Museum of Forest Sciences (MUCA), which houses not only a part of Amazonian history but also an incubator for products originating from the forest; the Jamaraqua Community, where 24 families live in harmony with nature, preserving traditional knowledge; the Borari School, recognized for its commitment to indigenous and traditional education; and the Borari Garment Factory, a community enterprise that values the Borari indigenous culture through the production of clothing and accessories inspired by forest elements and Amazonian traditions, among other places that reflect the region’s culture.

“When you live off the forest, you don’t cut down the forest”

Silvana said that the mission was very rich and highlighted the potential of the local bioeconomy. “We saw products that they only have here in Pará. Our goal is not to change, but to stimulate this creative potential, packaging it with the iconography process to enhance these products and, consequently, generate income for the local communities and help keep the forest standing,” the executive commented. “When you live off the forest, you don’t cut down the forest. This is the principle we are applying to the project,” she added.

Iconography

Silvana emphasizes that the goal of the Local Iconography project, carried out in partnership with Sebrae Nacional, is to enhance new products with the cultural characteristics of each region. “Now, with all eyes turning to Belém because of COP30, it is essential to show the full potential of this region,” she said.

Training and development workshops for 20 local micro-enterprises and artisans, who will be selected soon, are scheduled to begin in April. The publication of a book with the creations generated from the project is expected by October.

In addition to Silvana, the Mission in Santarém was attended by Bruno Quick, the technical director of Sebrae Nacional, the local Sebrae team, and representatives from the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa), the Von Bohlen Und Halbach Climate Institute, and the National Service for Rural Learning (Senar).