From data to action: BVRio highlights the role of information in scaling ecosystem restoration
BVRio’s Director of Forests and Public Policy, Roberta del Giudice, participated in the 6th Brazilian Conference on Ecological Restoration on 28 July 2026. Held at the University of Brasília, the conference brought together researchers, practitioners, policymakers and civil society organisations working to advance ecosystem restoration across Brazil.
The event was organised by the Brazilian Society for Ecological Restoration (SOBRE) and is known nationally as SOBRE2026.
Roberta spoke at a symposium examining what restoration data platforms can reveal about the sector, presenting on how data and information can inform decision-making and public policy to scale restoration. The session brought together representatives from major Brazilian restoration initiatives, including the Restoration Observatory and the Atlantic Forest Restoration Pact, to discuss how data can be transformed into strategic information.
In her presentation, Roberta explained how the digitisation of information on degraded areas, agricultural productivity, water use and economic activities can support every stage of the public policy cycle: planning, design, implementation and evaluation.
“Turning reality into numbers only makes sense when those numbers lead to action. A platform should not be just a static repository, but part of a dynamic cycle connecting citizens, public officials and the places where policies are implemented,” she said.
Roberta also warned that data are not neutral and do not automatically benefit all stakeholders equally. For platforms to support inclusive restoration, it is essential to consider how accessible the data are and who benefits from the information generated. They must also incorporate local knowledge and ensure that the benefits reach local communities.
The approaches she highlighted included democratic data governance, citizen participation, transparent platforms, and strengthening the capacity of public officials and local stakeholders to produce and use information.
Brazil’s Restoration Showcase: using data to connect stakeholders and guide investment
In 2025, BVRio and SOBRE worked together to develop version 3.0 of the Vitrine da Restauração (Restoration Showcase). This nationwide digital platform maps seed collectors, nurseries, service providers and restoration projects across Brazil.
Funded and technically supported by BVRio, the platform helps connect stakeholders across the restoration supply chain, provides greater visibility of local capacities and supports more informed investment in the sector.
“Moving from data to action on the ground is not just a technical process; it is a political one. We must ensure that data do not remain on screens, but return to the communities and landscapes where restoration actually happens,” Roberta concluded.
