The Course – In the first phase of the EGP/IUCN project called “Expansion of biofuel in the Rio Prata Basin – a sharing of knowledge between the social and research players,” the first Rio Prata Biofuel Knowledge Network workshop was held in May, 2009, which welcomed among its participants members from Argentinian, Brazilian and Dutch organizations. A very lively interaction took place among the academics and NGOs involved in the research and monitoring of the impacts suffered by the production of biofuels and it was determined, as a priority by the participants, the realization of an information and training course from NGO members that deal directly with this theme in this region.

Objective of the Course – The objective of the course is to enable the expansion of the influence of these organizations in the construction debates and public policy decisions in what concerns territory zoning and energy in the Rio Prata Basin. It is believed that the activities developed during the course will help the organizations to find and fill possible gaps in the studies that are being developed, allowing them to better approach the general and specific impacts of biofuels in the region.

Target Audience – NGO members and other organizations of civil society that work directly with the study and monitoring of impacts relative to the production of biofuels in the Rio Prata Basin. Secondarily, university students who are tackling compatible themes in their theses or dissertations could be admitted, and would benefit from the interchange with NGO partners who are more directly involved with the impacts of biofuel expansion in their respective areas of research.

Course Description - Rio Prata Biofuel Knowledge Network Course is conducted online, through the Distance Education Portal Redcapa (www.redcapa.org.br) and ministered by academic members of the KNL Network. The professors present their blocks in their respective languages (Portuguese and Spanish). The participants may write their work and communicate in any of these languages. The course was designed to be intensive, but compatible with the professional activities of the participants, requiring a commitment of around 5 hours weekly (1-2 hrs presentation + 2 hrs reading + 1 hr of exercices) during 16 weeks. The course is being offered freely, whereby bursaries for participants have been offered to allow access to the learning portal and to the professors during the period. The course provides a deep understanding of some of the tools being used to study biofuel impact as well as analyses of studies already conducted in the region. The chosen themes will allow the NGO members to have a clearer vision of the major challenges associated with the implementation of a regional biofuel production policy.

The themes approached within each module are put into context and interpreted through a critical viewpoint. The course does not only approach some technical aspects relative to the productivity chain of biofuels, but brings to light reflections on the social and environmental interactions, through the examples (case studies) of concrete experiences and onsite research made by the academic community and NGOs.

At the end of the modules, the participants will present an essay, which will focus on local/regional problems and employ concepts used during the course. The essays can be made in a case study format dealing with the issues and problems raised in the course, and can be made individually or in a group, with collaborators acting in the same region/issues (maximum of 4 participants per group).

Selected essays will be presented in a meeting of the members of Rio Prata Biofuel Knowledge Network, with all the costs being covered by the organization of the project. Given that the number of places is limited, bursaries for participation in the meeting will be offered in a competitive manner, based on the judgement of the body of professors as to the quality and representability of the essays written. The successful conclusion of the course will award an International Certificate provided by Amigos da Terra Amazônia NGO and by Rio Prata Biofuel Knowledge Network.