Working together for the rainforest
298 certificates, 14 courses and 18 partnerships: these are the impressive interim results of the REPLÂNTICA project over the past two years. As part of this transfer project, TH Köln and the local environmental organisation REGUA have developed a programme to restore the Atlantic coastal forest in Brazil. Courses, workshops and networking events will continue until December 2026.
"The rainforest along Brazil's Atlantic coast is one of the most species-rich ecosystems on Earth and deserves special protection. However, deforestation, intensification of agriculture and urbanisation have severely degraded the region", says Prof. Dr. Udo Nehren from the Institute for Natural Resources Technology and Management (ITT).
"In our study area in the hinterland of Rio de Janeiro, there is now a major opportunity to reforest degraded pastureland and integrate it into a continuous corridor of protected areas. Through our practice-oriented training programme, we raise awareness of the importance of rainforests for biodiversity conservation and climate protection. At the same time, we demonstrate concrete ways in which people can actively contribute to the reforestation of former pastureland,” Nehren continues.
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Micaela Locke, project coordinator at REGUA, at one of the major milestones of 2025: an event held under the motto “Raízes que lideram” (“Roots that lead”), dedicated to strengthening and recognising the commitment of women actors to ecological reforestation and the protection of biodiversity. (Image: Márcio Mendes/REGUA)
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As part of the event, an expert roundtable brought together women specialists in reforestation and invited participants to discuss the question: “How can we strengthen and empower women in reforestation?” (Image: Márcio Mendes/REGUA)
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The participants showed their support for the REPLÂNTICA project, for the project partner REGUA, and for the “leading roots”. (Image: Márcio Mendes/REGUA)
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Die Veranstaltung endete mit der symbolischen Pflanzung eines Setzlings der Baumart Eugenia guapiassuana. Die Art wurde erstmals von Messias Gomes da Silva, einem Mitarbeiter von REGUA, als mögliche unbekannte Art entdeckt. (Image: Márcio Mendes/REGUA)
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With more than 80 participants, the event was a great success and represents a major milestone in the REPLÂNTICA project. Owing to its strong acceptance, the event will be repeated in 2026. (Image: Márcio Mendes/REGUA)
Since the project began, the partners have developed six tailored training programmes for target groups including landowners, local communities, women, students, government bodies and NGOs. These are offered free of charge in the Guapiaçu River basin, Rio de Janeiro state. While customised to each group’s needs, all courses emphasise theoretical and practical skills related to ecological restoration of forest areas and other ecosystems, to evaluation and management of forest restoration measures and cooperation, and financing options.
Further Information
Milestones of the first two years of the project
One key focus of the training programme has been empowering women. Two courses tailored to women were held in July 2024 and July 2025. These courses covered foundational ecological concepts, such as how forest biodiversity contributes to forest resilience through ecosystem functions, and how in turn resilient forests aid climate protection. Furthermore, the courses focused on agroforestry systems and the sustainable use of non-timber forest products like seeds, fibres and fruits. Participants gained hands-on experience in seed harvesting, seedling cultivation, sustainable forest management and creating handicrafts. The aim was to promote sustainable forest use and highlight biodiversity benefits in a way tailored to the participants’ interests.
In November 2024, the Participatory Network for Ecological Renaturation (RPRE) was launched. This initiative brings together local communities, public institutions and private companies to foster cooperation, shared learning and coordinated actions across the Guapiaçu River basin. Through these partnerships, native tree seedlings, tools, fertilisers, labour, knowledge and land resources are pooled and actively used for reforestation.
Under the motto ‘Raízes Que Lideram’ (Roots That Lead), an event was held in October 2025 with 80 participants to celebrate and strengthen women’s commitment to ecological restoration and biodiversity conservation. The women-led programme featured a craft market, panel discussions, live music and the symbolic planting of a guapiaçu cherry tree — a species recently discovered in REGUA’s forests. While courses trained women in making handicrafts, this event enabled them to sell their products and directly improve their economic situation. Due to its great success, the event will be repeated in 2026.
Closing Event Planned at the Museum of the Future in Rio de Janeiro
“The project has been very successful in its first two years. We have trained 298 participants through 14 courses on forest restoration and awarded certificates. Additionally, 18 partnerships have been formed under the RPRE initiative. This confirms that our approach — combining awareness-raising and knowledge-sharing with highlighting the practical benefits of forest restoration for local communities — is on the right track,” says Dr Claudia Raedig from ITT.
In the final project year, more courses will be offered, and their content refined based on participant and trainer feedback. A closing event with an exhibition is planned for October 2026 at the Museo do Amanhã (Museum of Tomorrow) in Rio de Janeiro, where also the course participants will share their experiences with the REPLÂNTICA project.
About the project
The transfer project ‘Capacity building in forest restoration: biodiversity and climate protection in the Mata Atlântica’ (REPLÂNTICA) is led by Prof. Dr. Udo Nehren and coordinated by Dr. Claudia Raedig (both ITT). The project partner is the local environmental organisation Reserva Ecológica de Guapiaçu (REGUA). On the Brazilian side, the project is led by Nicholas Locke and coordinated by Micaela Locke (both REGUA).
The project is funded by the IKI Medium Grants programme of the International Climate Initiative (IKI), with nearly 800,000 euros over three years, concluding in December 2026. Since 2020, IKI has promoted North-South cooperation involving local civil society, supporting innovative contributions towards the Paris Climate Agreement and the Convention on Biological Diversity. The IKI is managed by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety.
December 2025