Like other major highways built in the Amazon during the 1970s and 1980s, the BR-319 (Porto Velho–Manaus) revives in the 21st century a historical liability that remains unresolved. The paving project for roughly half of the 800 kilometers of this federal highway—known as the “middle section”—which cuts through the Amazon rainforest, raises serious concerns about increased deforestation, illegal land occupation, and violations of the rights of traditional and Indigenous populations. At the same time, the road’s impassability for much of the year symbolizes isolation and neglect in a region that longs for inclusion and access to public policies.

The Promoting Governance and Transparency in the BR-319 Region project is based on the premise that the territory itself must lead the planning process toward a desired path of prosperity and sustainability—with the highway being just one component of a broader whole. To this end, the project seeks to support territorial governance mechanisms that combine social participation, access to information, and the development of technical, political, and financial capacities for those who need them most.

The project is currently in its third phase. During the first two phases (2019–2021 and 2021–2022), key achievements included the participatory development and dissemination of a Territorial Development Agenda (TDA), technical support for the BR-319 Forum, and the preliminary design of a Territorial Development Fund. The current challenge is to advance coordination and knowledge production that drive the implementation of this agenda, with a focus on strengthening civil society organizations.

The project’s area of activity covers the municipalities of Careiro, Manicoré, and Humaitá, as well as the Igapó-Açu Sustainable Development Reserve (RDS).

FGV São Paulo School of Business Administration (FGV EAESP)

FGV Center for Sustainability Studies (FGVces)

Researchers: Kena Chaves/ Karine Julião

Learn More