Cristais de Água

Founded in 2022, the Cristais de Água association is made up of representatives from Living Gaia and women from the Huni Kuin grassroots movements in Jordão.

Cristais de Água is currently the temporary owner of Seringal Iracema, where the Tarayá program is located. The management of the projects there is being led by Eduardo "Dadá" da Rocha, the association's president.

As soon as the final owner, the Fundação Ecos da Terra, is officially established, Cristais de Água will take on the role of “guardian” of the land, guaranteeing the continuity of the projects and promoting participation and dialogue with the local communities.

Living Gaia e.V.

Founded in 2014, the Berlin-based non-profit organization Living Gaia works mainly in the Brazilian Amazon.

Its main focus is on protecting the primary forest and supporting the Indigenous population (Huni Kuin and isolated Indigenous peoples) in the Jordão region in the state of Acre, as well as the ribeirinho people who live there.

 In addition, Living Gaia promotes cultural exchange between Indigenous and non-Indigenous cultures and raises awareness of the main challenges facing the Amazon region in Europe.

Alexandra Schwarz-Schilling

I was born in 1964. I am a book author, business economist, psychologist, senior and teaching coach, and founder and managing director of Coaching Spirale GmbH in Berlin. The earth is very close to my heart. I wish for a more people- and life-friendly culture in many areas. Much of what we do seems normal to us, but is not natural at all, but actually hostile to life and destructive. That is why I am committed to pristine natural areas and Indigenous cultures like the Huni Kuin. With the founding of Living Gaia e.V. in 2013 in Berlin and my many years of voluntary board work, I am making my contribution to our world.

I can be reached at [email protected]. 

Edson Marcelino da Rocha Júnior "Dadá"

I come from São Paulo and am a sports and music teacher. I have lived in Berlin for 30 years. With my percussion band and my workshops, I have been contributing to Berlin's cultural diversity since the 1990s.  Since the foundation of Living Gaia e.V. I have accompanied my wife Alexandra through all phases of the organization. Through my numerous trips to Acre, I have built up a trusting relationship with the Huni Kuin over the years. 

Currently, I manage the Tarayá conservation project and communication with the local ribeirinhos. 

Claudian Dobos

With a commitment to ethical entrepreneurship, I work to create spaces that promote a life with a legacy. As co-founder of the Terra Ágora Foundation, I dedicate myself to the conservation and regeneration of natural and human ecosystems, together with innovative entrepreneurs and local communities. I am contributing my expertise to the creation of the Ecos da Terra Foundation, which will be born out of Iracema's heritage.
My skills combine diversity, workshop facilitation and social networking, supporting the emergence of 4.0 entrepreneurial ecosystems. At Terra Agora, we transform real estate transactions into ongoing cycles of stewardship and regeneration, guided by a belief in human evolutionary potential and collective responsibility for the future of the planet.

Simon Knoop

 My connection with Indigenous peoples in Brazil began in 2016 when I produced a documentary with the Pataxó people in Bahia. Since then, my focus has been on supporting indigenous societies and protecting biodiversity. In 2018, I completed my Master's degree in Primate Conservation. From then on, I worked in environmental education, as well as scientifically on the impact of poaching on biodiversity and the influence of evangelical missionary work on Indigenous cultures.

Since 2021, I have been active as a project manager for Living Gaia e.V. The work satisfies me because it puts into practice the conservation of biodiversity in the Amazon and collaboration with its guardians, the traditional peoples.

Feel free to contact me if you have general questions about the work of our association or specifically about the Tarayá project, or if you are interested in volunteering.

Mail to: [email protected] 

Ian Lazoski

 I'm Brazilian and I work between São Paulo and Alto Paraíso, Brazil. I am co-founder of the Welight Institute and Impact not a Bank. For the Tarayá project I advise on a wide range of legal, financial and operational issues.

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Jaci Meinhold 

Professionally, I am a psychologist, coach, psychological alternative practitioner and co-founder of the Ainbu Dayá association in Brazil. I am fascinated by nature and the earth in all its beauty, complexity and diversity. It is a matter close to my heart to work for the protection of nature. I have been working with the Huni Kuin people for 9 years. I love living in the Amazon, in the villages of the Huni Kuin, where people live in appreciation and harmony with wild nature. I am fascinated by their communication through prayers and traditional songs. Over time, many deep friendships, connections and shared visions have developed. At Living Gaia, my focus is to realize projects together with the Huni Kuin women in the forest, but also in Europe. Through the close connection to the Huni Kuin women, my Brazilian and German roots, I work a lot as a bridge between the Huni Kuin and the people in Europe and Brazil.

I can be reached as a contact person at [email protected]. 

Instituto Flor da Floresta

 The Flor da Floresta Institute is located directly in Jordão, Acre. It carries out various activities in the areas of health, permaculture and conservation of the Amazon rainforest. The institute recently obtained its official status, but has already been operating unofficially in the Acre region for more than 10 years, where it is involved in agro-ecological food production, promotion of health and education. Flor da Floresta manages the agroforestry system at the Tarayá project, was responsible for coordinating donations during the flood in early 2024 and is our strongest local non-Indigenous partner on the ground. 

Aibu Dayá association

 The women's association Aibu Dayá (“women's work” in hãtxa kuin) is the first Indigenous organization run by women in the Jordão region of Acre. The core aspects are education, women's rights, medical care and general basic services. The organization is made up of women who are committed to improving the living conditions of their community. They organize training courses and workshops to help other women understand their rights and realize their full potential. They are also active in nature conservation and work to create a sustainable future for their community. 

Impact not a Bank

Impact not a bank is our transactional partner. It is a movement for those who want their resources to create real change – not just returns. Impact not a bank about themselves: "We’re not here to grow capital. We’re here to grow forests, protect Indigenous rights, empower women, and build a future rooted in regeneration. Your support doesn’t sit in vaults – it moves in communities, ecosystems, and ideas."