Keeling Curve

Primary Project Category:

Secondary Project Category:

Project Summary / Description:

Purpose of project: To support the Yawanaw√• indigenous community in their pursuit of a self-determined path towards energy independence and sovereignty through sustainable energy. Our goal with this project is to help mitigate climate change, diminish energy poverty, and empower the Yawanaw√• to achieve energy independence through solar power. 

This project supports the Yawanaw in their efforts to build a school that teaches self sustainability, reforestation, language, and culture. 

Phase 1 was construction of the Isku Vakehuhu Center for Cultural Education, 25 school buildings that will house the teachings. (completed 2022)

ICF was formed in 2021, with a vision to create a fund that would support the indigenous communities of the Amazon Rainforest. It was formed by four friends who are deeply connected to the issues facing the indigenous communities in Brazil, and who subsequently received the blessing from the leader, Chief Isku Ku Yawanaw of the Nova Esperan√ßa village.

Regions of Operations:

How Project Affects Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions:

Replaces/avoids GHGs (e.g., projects that replace sources of GHGs, such as the burning of fossil fuels for electricity, heat, transport, or other energy uses), Reduces GHGs (e.g., projects that reduce sources of GHGs, such as through efficiency or other changes in consumption)

Best Estimate of GHG Avoidance/Reduction of This Project (Tonnes CO2 Equivalent/Year):

Impact on Underrepresented Groups:

ICF supports the livelihoods of local indigenous communities who rely heavily on outside support. Our key focus is to fund improvements to infrastructure and the environment, as well as to support cultural education and autonomy, as we know that strengthening and maintaining language and culture is vital to their longevity.

Yawanaw peoples suffered a cultural genocide over eight decades. Their language and identity was on the brink of extinction, due to colonialism, until they gained their land rights back in 1992. They're one of the only tribes in the Amazon to have their land demarcated by the Brazilian government. The majority of the village is children. In order to keep the culture and wisdom alive, efforts are now focused on strengthening their education and supporting future autonomy.

With our contribution, the Yawanaw indigenous community will be managing and implementing this project 100%. 

Your grant helps to revive the Yawanaw culture and language through solar power to the Isku Vakehuhu school and surrounding infrastructure.

This project supports the installation of solar power to their school in an effort to decrease their CO2 footprint and cost associated to diesel fuel for power. This project contributes to a more self sustainable and healthier environment which has a global impact on reducing GHG's.

Phase 2, for which we are seeking funding, involves installing solar power to the school buildings in order to ease the tribe's reliance on diesel fuel for power.

Sub-Categories: