On 1989, june 3th, Ecoa was founded because a group of people, friends with a communal objective, decided to make a non-governmental organization. They thought that was possible to work the reality to construct a better future. When Ecoa was born, the Brazilian environmental scene was different, it was needing an organization which denunciate environmental crimes, government carelessness with urban environmental and which could give information to society.

Today, questions related with environment, are treated more seriously by society and the government. However, environmental crimes already exist and poor people suffer the great part of harm. To understand  those new demands of the globalized world, Ecoa has changed some ways of acting. Besides denunciating and making campaigns, the organization make projects which have the objective to preserve the environment and to improve society’s quality of life.

Ecoa counts with professionals experienced in many areas, such as economy, turism, ecology, communication, biology, and so far. Now, with 19 years, Ecoa is recognized for its work with society, is admired by their colleagues and is respected by government, because always has actuated following ethic and professional ideals.

Commitment with preservation and welfare

Ecoa integrates social and environmental actions in the local and global dimensions, and follow the objective to construct democracy and to promote an ecological development. The agenda constructed on these 19 years, focus the territorial action. There are works developed in Pantanal and in the Paraguai-Paraná System of Damped Areas, that struggles against serious threats; the whole development of communities; the creation 
of protected areas and, as an element which gives support to all actions, the construction of appropriate public politics.

Te rest of biomas, eco-regions and basin of South America is in the agenda of the organization through specific themes or by necessity to make society with other organizations. In Amazonia, Ecoa works in society with other organizations to reduce impacts caused by the construction of big infra-structure, mainly dams and roads, which cause deforestation. In Cerrado and Atlantic Forest there are also actions against deforestation and which creates protected areas and which makes the sustainable use of land.

On the global action Ecoa focus ethanol and biofuels, related to expansion zones; the infra-structure and its impacts – IIRSA and PAC; energy, focusing energetic efficiency and renewable energy.

Since Ecoa’s foundation, to make communication was a strategy to develop and construct the organization. In its first years, the communication was devoted to information and to mobilize small groups in universities, districts, schools and to the press. Since the second half of ninety decade, Ecoa become to have a communication with a more universal character with an exclusive politic and producing systematic information that was publicized by fax an by internet. Shortly after the website was created with the actual design and now is the organization’s main instrument of information.

Passing the years and accumulating experience, Ecoa developed its own methodology of working with communities. The whole community development was created and developed by the organization and have been improved every year with the support of other organizations and mainly because of communities.

Recognition

Furthermore projects, Ecoa also support and give directions to small organizations. A recognition of Ecoa’s work was the asking maked by Nederland’s Committee of IUCN to Ecoa become Focal Point in Latin America. A a Focal Point of System Paraguay-Paraná region, Ecoa supports and promotes between organizations in Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia and Paraguay.

In the end of 2007, as a real recognition, Ecoa was accepted as a latinamerican member of IUCN. This fact guarantees that Ecoa, with 19 years old, is an ethic and serious organization.

This success wouldn’t be possible without colleagues and friends that Ecoa obtained in these years. Today we thank all the persons who collaborated with this project and we invite all of you to continue working for this dream and to make other conquests.
See some actions carried out by Ecoa, in the Line of Time and know its workers.

For all those maked, make and will make part of Ecoa. Happy Birthday!

Translation: Luiza Rosa