THE JAVARI IS ONE OF THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY PLACES ON EARTH
and its people are fighting to protect it
THE CHALLENGE
The Javari Valley is Brazil’s second-largest Indigenous territory and home to the world’s largest concentration of Indigenous peoples living in voluntary isolation. Yet this vast territory faces growing pressure from organized crime and illegal activities, while communities remain severely under-resourced and lack access to essential services and economic opportunities.
WHY THE JAVARI MATTERS
8.5 million hectares of protected territory with almost no effective protection on the ground
Growing presence of organized crime and illegal fishing, hunting, logging and drug trafficking
Severely limited access to healthcare, education and essential services
Few legitimate economic opportunities, alongside growing illegal economies
One of Brazil’s lowest levels of human development in Atalaia do Norte
OUR APPROACH
The Javari Valley is Brazil’s second-largest Indigenous territory and home to the world’s largest concentration of Indigenous peoples living in voluntary isolation. Yet this vast territory faces growing pressure from organized crime and illegal activities, while communities remain severely under-resourced and lack access to essential services and economic opportunities.
EDUCATION
Empowering education through cultural identity and traditional knowledge.
Supporting community-led education, Indigenous educators and youth leadership, while preserving Indigenous languages, cultural identity, and traditional knowledge.
HEALTH & WELL-BEING
Supporting health initiatives and community well-being
Strengthening access to health information, resources, training, infrastructure, and emergency support through locally led initiatives.
INFORMATION & ADVOCACY
Amplifying Indigenous voices and reshaping the narrative.
Producing and sharing information about the Javari Valley while strengthening Indigenous-led storytelling, media partnerships, and international visibility.
OUR PARTNERS
The Javari Project brings together Indigenous, local and international organizations, advisors and advocates committed to the future of the Javari territory and the Amazon rainforest.
Our partners contribute knowledge, experience, resources and connections across education, health, community well-being, conservation and communications. Together, we create stronger connections between the territory and the wider world.
Together, we are the Javari Project.
YEARS IN THE MAKING: OUR STORY
In 2007, while filming "Return to the Amazon" for an Amercian broadcaster, Céline Cousteau first met the Indigenous leaders and community members of the Javari Valley.
They asked her to come back again - this time, to tell their story.
Our co-founder, Céline Cousteau meets the Indigenous Peoples of the Javari Valley while filming “Return to the Amazon” for PBS.
The Indigenous leaders invite Céline back to the Javari Valley to share their story with the world.
Filming takes place for “Tribes on the Edge”, a documentary about the Indigenous communities' struggle to protect their homes and preserve their traditional way of life.
Following the film's success, we return to the Javari Valley to show the film as well as determine new avenues for collaboration with the Indigenous communities.
The Javari Project is born.
Alongside a coalition of steadfast partners and Indigenous allies, we are ready to share the Javari Project with the world.
OUR TEAM
CÉLINE COUSTEAU
Co-Founder
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FÉLINE ANDRÉ
Program Coordinator
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TADZIO MAC GREGOR
Co-Founder
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PHILIPPE PRUIJT
Content & Video Editor
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OUR BOARD
NASHRIN AZAD
Board Member
Nashrin Azad has a background in fundraising, investor relations and business development for investment funds, corporates and NGOs focussed on alternatives, health, impact & sustainability.
TED VAN DEN BERGH
Board Member
Ted was the former president of the Triodos Bank Foundation for 30 years, where he has supported endless initiatives in pro of development and the environment in The Netherlands and abroad.
IGOR KONSTANTINOVSKY
Board Member
Currently co-founder of a startup working at the intersection of digital identity, self-expression, and humane technology. He is also the managing director at Masnavi Capital, a family office, led venture investments as well as an investor in climate tech.
OUR ADVISORS
ESMERALDA DE BELGIQUE
Advisor
HRH Esmeralda is a journalist, devoted to promoting the rights of the Indigenous Peoples, striving to advocate the voices of the unheard. Princess Esmeralda has been President of King Leopold III Fund for Nature Exploration and Conservation since 1983.
NINA KANTCHEVA
Advisor
Senior Policy Advisor for Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities at UNDP, and Co-founder of Tushevs Aerials, an initiative to democratize usage of drone technology towards environmental and humanitarian goals to process design, building, and data for Indigenous Peoples and local communities.
ANASTASIA DEIEVA
Advisor
Executive Director at CO”100% LIFE” Anastasia has worked on executive positions for governmental institutions, NGOs and international organizations. Anastasia was the youngest deputy minister to serve in the Ukraine. As a governmental official, Anastasia helpedimplement the first comprehensive gender equality policy in her country.
LILIANA JAUREGUI
Advisor
Senior expert in Environmental Justice, Human Rights and Nature Conservation. Working for IUCN Netherlands, continously aiming to improve the territorial rights and livelihoods of the Indigenous Peoples and local communities.
PAULINA CHAMORRO
Advisor
Paulina is an environmental journalist. She runs the ‘Vozes do Planeta’ (Voices of the Planet) podcast & is co-founder of ‘Liga das Mulheres pelo Oceano’ (League of Women for the Ocean) in Brazil. She has been a collaborator for National Geographic in Brazil since 2017.
LINDA VAN HAGE
Advisor
Linda is a fundraising consultant at HVFC, has served as the executive director of the Jane Goodall institute Netherlands and worked as a consultant in the for- profit sector. Combining best practices from both sectors drives her effective fundraising approach.
CONTACT US
hello@javariproject.com
© 2023 Javari Project. All rights reserved.
Stichting The Javari Project Spuistraat 74D, 1012TW, Amsterdam, The Netherlands KVK # 80705448