"Digital Cacidadas" Boosts Participation and Governance in Amazon Communities

In an innovative initiative, indigenous, riverside, and quilombola communities of the Tapajós-Arapiuns Extractive Reserve, in the heart of the Brazilian Amazon, are about to experience a revolution in territorial management and social participation. The project, led by the Instituto Território das Artes (ITA) in partnership with Cosmotécnicas Amazônicas and Nômade Tecnologias, along with local organizations, aims to implement free technologies to empower these communities, promoting digital sovereignty and participatory governance.

Voca: A Platform for Participatory Democracy

At the center of this initiative is Voca, an open-source SaaS to distribute Decidim platforms for citizen participation. This tool will be adapted to meet the specific needs of the RESEX Tapajós-Arapiuns communities, allowing residents to actively participate in decisions that affect their territory.

"Voca is not just a digital platform, it's an instrument of community empowerment," explains Jader Gama, one of the project's creators. "It allows communities to make collective decisions based on territorial information, promoting truly participatory and transparent management."

Mapping and Data Collection: Valuing Local Knowledge

In addition to VOCA, the project will implement a mapping platform based on the free software Mapas Culturais. This tool will allow communities to map their natural and cultural assets, creating a rich database about the territory.

"We're talking about valuing the community's 'organic data,' in contrast to the externally imposed 'transgenic data.” highlights Priscila Castro, one of the community leaders involved in the project. "This allows us to reconnect with our environment and discover the true value and potential of our territory."

To ensure that data collection is possible even in areas without internet connection, the project will also develop an offline collection app using PWA (Progressive Web App) technology.

Excerpts from the video “HERMES em ação”

Beneficiaries and Expected Impact

The project will directly benefit the communities of RESEX Tapajós-Arapiuns, including indigenous peoples, riverside dwellers, and quilombolas. The initiative is expected to result in:

• Greater understanding and appreciation of local resources

• Significant reconnection with the territory

• Reduction of technical alienation

• Strengthening of the community-environment relationship

• Opening of new work and income opportunities

"This project is not just about technology, but about community empowerment," states a representative from Nõmade Tecnologias, a partner in the initiative. "We are creating the conditions for these communities to decide their own future."

A Replicable Model

The project in RESEX Tapajós-Arapiuns serves as a pilot, with potential for replication in other Amazonian communities. The initiative is carefully documenting its methodology and processes, creating guides and manuals that will allow other communities to adopt similar approaches.

With its innovative approach combining free technologies, community participation, and valorization of local knowledge, this project represents a significant step towards a sustainable and self-determined development model for Amazonian communities.

The project was approved within the Mover-se na WEB public call promoted by CGI (Brazilian Internet Steering Committee) with an investment of approximately 50 thousand dollars, and the perspective is that it will be initiated this year.

Note on the authors

Jader Gama is the Plantaformas project founder

Nomade Technologias are project lead and Voca Partners in Brazil

— Jader Gama for Voca