Forest concessions and social participation are discussed by the Federal Prosecution Service (MPF), Imaflora, the Brazilian Forest Service (SFB), and civil society

The governance of Brazil’s public forests and the mechanisms for social participation applied to the forest concession process were at the center of the third session of the Knowledge Journey on Forest Concessions, held last Friday (23). The event, organized by the Brazilian Forest Service (SFB) in partnership with the Institute for Forest and Agricultural Management and Certification (Imaflora), brought together federal prosecutors from the Federal Prosecution Service (MPF) and representatives of civil society in a virtual debate.

The session featured Cristina Galvão, General Coordinator for Forest Concession Contract Management at the SFB, who presented the legal and administrative instruments that ensure transparency and social participation at different stages of the concession process.

Among the mechanisms highlighted were the Public Forest Management Commission (CG-Flop), public consultation processes for bidding notices, public hearings, and the free, prior, and informed consultation of Indigenous peoples and traditional communities. According to Cristina, the bidding notice is only the starting point for dialogue. “Experience has shown us that consultations need to be adapted to different contexts and that institutional learning is ongoing,” she emphasized.

One of the key topics discussed was the application of ILO Convention 169, which addresses the right to free, prior, and informed consultation of Indigenous peoples and traditional communities. Federal prosecutor Dr. Eduardo Sanches questioned whether the current model ensures respect for traditional decision-making processes. Cristina responded that the process has been improving, citing the case of the Jatuarana National Forest, where “areas were removed from the bidding notice based on Indigenous demands raised during in-person meetings.”

The participation of Indigenous representative Nilcélio Jiahui reinforced the need to respect the timing and cultural practices of communities. “It is important that consultations take place before the bidding notices are launched,” he stated. Cristina replied that, in the areas of Balata Tufari, Ikiri, and Castanho, bidding notices will only be launched after the completion of full consultations with Indigenous peoples.

Another highlight was the governance of how revenues generated from forest exploitation are allocated. Cristina explained that new contracts include clauses on ancillary obligations, whose resources must be invested in local development actions, with the participation of advisory councils from conservation units. “The concessionaire is responsible for identifying community needs and consolidating a plan, which must be validated by the council,” she detailed.

Leonardo Sobral, Director of Forests and Restoration at Imaflora, emphasized the importance of strengthening advisory councils and expanding the involvement of local populations. “With concessions and their instruments, the resources generated return as tangible benefits for those who live in the forest,” he stated.

The final session of the Knowledge Journey is scheduled for June and will address FPIC (free, prior, and informed consent) as applied to forest concessions, along with an in-person meeting at the MPF auditorium in Amazonas, which will conclude the series.

The initiative aims to train prosecutors, public managers, and community leaders to build a more transparent, participatory, and sustainable model for the use of public forests in Brazil. The next session will take place on June 6 and will focus exclusively on the challenges of FPIC in the context of concessions.