Reos Partners Joins the Pan-Amazon Bioeconomy Network

Advancing collaborative solutions for the Amazon

Reos Partners is pleased to announce our participation in the Pan-Amazon Bioeconomy Network, a major coalition that promotes regional collaboration to drive a locally-led and sustainable bioeconomy for the Amazon region. This alliance marks an important step in supporting efforts to balance environmental preservation with economic development, contributing to systemic change across one of the world’s most vital ecosystems. The alliance's goal is to conserve the region's forests and biodiversity, while prioritising the well-being of local communities.

A bioeconomy refers to an economic system that relies on sustainable biological resources, focusing on the production, processing, and consumption of renewable biological materials. In the context of the Amazon, this means rethinking our approach to the economy to prioritise environmental protection alongside economic growth.

This vision emphasises maintaining the natural balance of the ecosystem while supporting the well-being of local communities. It recognises that the health of the Amazon is closely tied to its rich biodiversity, including its diverse plant and animal life. A successful bioeconomy in this region would focus on preserving these resources through practices that prevent deforestation and foster a harmonious relationship between people and nature.

It is essential to include the knowledge and perspectives of local communities, ensuring their insights are respected and integrated into the development of the bioeconomy. This collaborative approach seeks to create a resilient and sustainable economic model that benefits both the environment and the local population.

Building inclusive, collaborative solutions for an Amazon bioeconomy

The Pan-Amazon Bioeconomy Network brings together diverse stakeholders from across nine countries in the Amazon basin, including Indigenous communities, local producers and associations, impact investors, financial institutions, research institutes, and civil society. This collaborative effort seeks to address common challenges and unlock opportunities related to the bioeconomy. 

The network’s overarching goal is to establish a sustainable framework that balances conservation with economic growth, enabling the Amazon’s natural resources to support both local populations and global climate stability. By promoting collaboration among diverse stakeholders, the Pan-Amazon Bioeconomy Network envisions a future where the Amazon region can thrive economically and ecologically, with Indigenous communities playing a central role in shaping this future. 

For Indigenous communities, the network offers an opportunity to directly influence the development of sustainable economic practices that respect their deep-rooted knowledge of the land and their cultural traditions. Indigenous peoples have long been stewards of the Amazon, and their involvement in the bioeconomy is key to ensuring that economic activities are both socially inclusive and ecologically sound.

Reos Partners participates in the launch of the Pan-Amazon Bioeconomy Network at COP16 (2024)

Reos Partners’ contribution to the network

Reos Partners, in collaboration with the World Resources Institute (WRI) and Conservation International (CI), has played a pivotal role in the design and facilitation of the network's collaborative processes. As part of this partnership, Reos has been involved in facilitating workshops and conversations with key stakeholders to define the vision and operational structure of the network. Our expertise in multistakeholder collaboration has been central to helping shape the governance model and ensuring that diverse voices are represented in the decision-making process.

“Facilitating dialogue among such diverse groups is essential to building the trust and mutual understanding needed to create lasting change,” said Manuela Restrepo, Senior Consultant at Reos Partners. “Our work in the Pan-Amazon Bioeconomy Network is focused on creating spaces where stakeholders can come together, share knowledge, and co-create solutions that will support a sustainable future for the Amazon region.”

Reos has assisted in developing the network structure to adapt to the evolving needs of the region and its stakeholders. The network’s governance approach prioritises inclusivity and transparency, acknowledging the complex and interconnected challenges facing the Amazon.

Co-creating a unified vision for the future

The Pan-Amazon Bioeconomy Network comprises five main task forces: Public Policy, Research and Knowledge Production, Access to Markets and Commercialisation, Access to Finance, and Competencies Strengthening. These task forces aim to address critical areas necessary for advancing a sustainable bioeconomy, from influencing policy frameworks to
increasing access to funding and markets for local non-timber
products and services compatible with the ecological integrity of the Amazon
biome and the cultural identity of its inhabitants, also referred to as 'socio-bioeconomy’.

Reos Partners has worked closely with the network’s members to identify key leverage points within these areas, ensuring that efforts are aligned with the broader vision of creating a sustainable bioeconomy, inspired by Indigenous Peoples and local communities, that support both people and nature. Our role has included guiding early conversations that define priorities, clarify roles, and facilitate collaboration between the various stakeholders.

 Watch a video from WRI titled “What is the PanAmazon Network for Bioeconomy?”

Early outcomes and future prospects

The early results of the Pan-Amazon Bioeconomy Network are promising. By engaging stakeholders from across the region in a structured, inclusive, and participatory process, the network has made important progress in establishing its governance framework and aligning its key priorities. Reos’s contribution has been instrumental in ensuring that the process remains collaborative, transparent, and grounded in the diverse realities of the Amazon region.

“We are seeing the potential for real transformation,” adds Manuela Restrepo. “The engagement of local producers, associations, Indigenous communities, impact investors, and research institutes is already helping to build a foundation for long-term collaboration. This is just the beginning, and we are committed to supporting the network as it continues to evolve and drive impactful change across the region.” 

Looking ahead, the focus will be on continuing to strengthen these collaborations, building on early successes, and ensuring that the network remains flexible and responsive to emerging challenges. The goal is to create a sustainable bioeconomy model that can serve as a blueprint of a system-wide economic just-transition for other regions, promoting social balancing and 
economic development alongside biodiversity conservation, and ensuring the
equitable distribution of benefits

A commitment to long-term collaboration

Reos Partners remains dedicated to supporting the Pan-Amazon Bioeconomy Network as it moves forward with its mission. Our ongoing work will focus on facilitating deeper collaboration, identifying new opportunities for action, and helping to ensure that the network remains adaptable and effective in addressing the complex issues it faces.

The Amazon is a critical ecosystem, not only for its biodiversity but also for its role in regulating the climate. The success of the Pan-Amazon Bioeconomy Network will have far-reaching implications, both for the region and for global efforts to address climate change, protect biodiversity, and promote sustainable development.

Reos Partners is proud to be part of this important journey. We are excited to continue collaborating with partners across the Pan-Amazon region to co-create a sustainable future for one of the most vital ecosystems on the planet. By working together with a wide range of stakeholders, we can ensure that the Amazon’s bioeconomy develops in a way that is sustainable, inclusive, and beneficial for future generations.

Partnering for collaborative, sustainable solutions

At Reos Partners, we believe in the power of collaboration to drive meaningful, systemic change. By bringing together diverse stakeholders—governments, communities, businesses, and civil society—we can co-create innovative, sustainable solutions that address the challenges of today and tomorrow. If you are interested in fostering inclusive, multi-stakeholder partnerships for a better future, we’d love to connect with you.

Get in touch to explore how we can work together to shape a more sustainable and equitable world.