Indigenous Communities

Building Better Futures with the Indigenous Communities in the Chaco

Although there are no communities living within Project Chaco Vivo, there are 14 communities within the Project’s Area of Influence (AOI), as seen in the map above. Most of these communities are Indigenous Communities from the Maskoi linguistic group of Indigenous People.

The Maskoi are an ethnic group native to the Paraguayan Chaco, part of the broader Zamucoan linguistic family, which includes several related groups with distinct languages and dialects. Known for their deep cultural roots, the Maskoi have historically adapted to life in the semi-arid Chaco environment, yet their existence has been marked by displacement, wars, and challenges posed by large landowners who have marginalized their communities. These factors have limited their access to essential resources and economic opportunities.

Project Chaco Vivo is committed to fostering an inclusive path forward by integrating Maskoi communities that live in proximity to the project into progressive business, agricultural, and sustainable development initiatives – collectively called the L.I.F.E. Program. This collaboration aims to address socio-economic disparities, enhance quality of life, and create measurable impacts aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, providing a foundation for economic security, social empowerment, and cultural preservation for these Indigenous Communities.

Indigenous Communities

Partnering for Progress and Preservation

At the heart of Chaco Vivo is a deep commitment to the Indigenous communities that have called the Gran Chaco home for centuries. These communities, including the Maskoi, are integral to the success of Chaco Vivo’s conservation efforts. The project works to protect the natural landscape and empower these communities, ensuring they benefit from sustainable development while preserving their cultural identity.

Challenges Facing Indigenous Communities in Paraguay

The Indigenous communities of Paraguay, particularly those in the Gran Chaco, face significant challenges. These include limited access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities and the loss of traditional lands due to deforestation and land-use changes. Many Indigenous people live in extreme poverty, and their rights to land and resources are often overlooked. Furthermore, environmental degradation, exacerbated by climate change, directly threatens their way of life, making these communities particularly vulnerable​.

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Chaco Vivo’s Collaborative Approach and FPIC

Chaco Vivo works with 14 Indigenous communities within its Area of Influence (AOI) to improve livelihoods, strengthen cultural heritage, and protect the environment. The Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) protocol is central to this partnership, ensuring that Indigenous voices are heard and actively incorporated into all project decisions. By adhering to this globally recognized standard, Chaco Vivo guarantees that the communities are fully informed and voluntarily consent to any activities that affect their lands or livelihoods​.

Chaco Vivo’s Collaborative Approach and FPIC

Chaco Vivo works with 14 Indigenous communities within its Area of Influence (AOI) to improve livelihoods, strengthen cultural heritage, and protect the environment. The Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) protocol is central to this partnership, ensuring that Indigenous voices are heard and actively incorporated into all project decisions. By adhering to this globally recognized standard, Chaco Vivo guarantees that the communities are fully informed and voluntarily consent to any activities that affect their lands or livelihoods​.

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Empowering Indigenous Communities through the L.I.F.E. Program™

Chaco Vivo’s L.I.F.E. Program™ (Livelihood Initiatives & Forest Enterprises Program) supports Indigenous communities by improving access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities. The program has directly supported over 2,000 Indigenous individuals, offering training in sustainable agriculture, carpentry, and small business management. These initiatives help create new income opportunities while maintaining cultural practices​

Preserving Cultural Heritage

Chaco Vivo is focused on economic empowerment and the preservation of Indigenous cultural heritage. The project has organized events and workshops to revive and maintain traditional crafts, languages, and practices. By supporting cultural preservation, Chaco Vivo ensures that the rich history and traditions of Gran Chaco’s Indigenous communities are passed down to future generations​ (Culture World Paraguay, TransparenC).

Preserving Cultural Heritage

Chaco Vivo is focused on economic empowerment and the preservation of Indigenous cultural heritage. The project has organized events and workshops to revive and maintain traditional crafts, languages, and practices. By supporting cultural preservation, Chaco Vivo ensures that the rich history and traditions of Gran Chaco’s Indigenous communities are passed down to future generations​ (Culture World Paraguay, TransparenC).

Improving Health and Wellbeing

Access to healthcare is a significant challenge for many Indigenous communities in Paraguay, particularly those in remote areas. Chaco Vivo has stepped in to fill this gap by organizing health clinics, hygiene training, and vaccination drives. These health initiatives are vital for improving overall well-being and ensuring that communities are resilient in the face of public health challenges​

Indigenous Communities

Chaco Vivo’s Collaborative Approach and FPIC

Although there are no communities living within Project Chaco Vivo,
there are 14 communities within the Project’s Area of Influence (AOI), as
seen in the map above. Most of these communities are Indigenous
Communities from the Maskoi linguistic group of Indigenous People.

The Maskoi are an ethnic group native to the Paraguayan Chaco, part of the broader Zamucoan linguistic family, which includes several related groups with distinct languages and dialects. Known for their deep cultural roots, the Maskoi have historically adapted to life in the semi-arid Chaco environment, yet their existence has been marked by displacement, wars, and challenges posed by large landowners who have marginalized their communities. These factors have limited their access to essential resources and economic opportunities.

Project Chaco Vivo is committed to fostering an inclusive path forward by integrating Maskoi communities that live in proximity to the project into progressive business, agricultural, and sustainable development initiatives – collectively called the L.I.F.E. Program. This collaboration aims to address socio-economic disparities, enhance quality of life, and create measurable impacts aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, providing a foundation for economic security, social empowerment, and cultural preservation for these Indigenous Communities.

Empowering Indigenous Communities through the L.I.F.E. Program™

Chaco Vivo’s L.I.F.E. Program™ (Livelihood Initiatives & Forest Enterprises Program) supports Indigenous communities by improving access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities. The program has directly supported over 2,000 Indigenous individuals, offering training in sustainable agriculture, carpentry, and small business management. These initiatives help create new income opportunities while maintaining cultural practices​

Preserving Cultural Heritage

Chaco Vivo is focused on economic empowerment and the preservation of Indigenous cultural heritage. The project has organized events and workshops to revive and maintain traditional crafts, languages, and practices. By supporting cultural preservation, Chaco Vivo ensures that the rich history and traditions of Gran Chaco’s Indigenous communities are passed down to future generations​ (Culture World Paraguay, TransparenC).

Previous slide
Next slide
Previous slide
Next slide

Preserving Cultural Heritage

Chaco Vivo is focused on economic empowerment and the preservation of Indigenous cultural heritage. The project has organized events and workshops to revive and maintain traditional crafts, languages, and practices. By supporting cultural preservation, Chaco Vivo ensures that the rich history and traditions of Gran Chaco’s Indigenous communities are passed down to future generations​ (Culture World Paraguay, TransparenC).

Previous slide
Next slide

Improving Health and Wellbeing

Access to healthcare is a significant challenge for many Indigenous communities in Paraguay, particularly those in remote areas. Chaco Vivo has stepped in to fill this gap by organizing health clinics, hygiene training, and vaccination drives. These health initiatives are vital for improving overall well-being and ensuring that communities are resilient in the face of public health challenges​