Based in Switzerland, Instituto Terra Foundation hopes to strengthen global partnerships and expand Instituto Terra’s impact in the Rio Doce basin
In September 2025, Instituto Terra took the strategic step to create Instituto Terra Foundation in Switzerland. This marked the beginning of a more structured international presence in Europe.
Based in Geneva, the foundation was created with the aim of bringing Instituto Terra closer to European donors and institutions, creating new opportunities for technical, scientific, and philanthropic partnerships in relation to the Terra Doce programme, which promotes sustainable rural development in the territory.
A bridge between territories and solutions.
Presided by Juliano Ribeiro Salgado and supported by a multidisciplinary board, the Instituto Terra Foundation acts as a bridge between Brazil and Europe, expanding the organization’s capacity for international engagement.
Another strategic focus is building closer relationships with academic institutions, creating opportunities for research and innovation to enhance the socio-environmental impact of Instituto Terra’s initiatives.
Results in the first year.
In its first year of operation, the foundation highlights included a partnership with the University of St. Gallen in Switzerland. A project focused on water governance was developed, with the participation of students in International Development and Sustainability from the Institute of Management in Latin America.
Students analyzed the water challenges faced in the Rio Doce basin, and the solutions being implemented by Instituto Terra, including the protection of springs, construction of dams, and improvement of water quality to help them better manage water resources and adapt to the changing climate. They highlighted the importance of communicating these impacts clearly to landowners and potential funders, expanding the possibilities for engagement and investment.
In December 2025, Instituto Terra hosted Valuing Impact, a company specializing in impact assessment, in Aimorés (MG). The project, scheduled for completion in 2026, aims to develop a holistic methodology to measure the social, environmental, health, and economic impacts of the Terra Doce programme.
Global governance to amplify impact
The foundation’s board members bring diverse areas of expertise and profiles to help guide and support the development in Switzerland.
- Founder and President: Juliano Ribeiro Salgado
- Founder and board member: Lélia Deluiz Wanick Salgado
- Founder and board member: Flávio Ribeiro Salgado
- Board Member: Duncan Pollard
- Board Member: Gaspard Estrada
- Treasurer: Stéphane Doebeli
- Executive Director: Claire Blenkinsop
Connecting local impact to a global network
The creation of Instituto Terra Foundation reinforces the organization’s commitment to expanding its reach, without losing sight of its core mission: promoting ecosystem restoration and sustainable development in the Rio Doce basin.
Its creation opens new avenues for strengthening the Terra Doce programme, enhancing solutions that integrate environmental regeneration, sustainable production, and improved quality of life for local communities.
To learn more about the international work of Instituto Terra and its impact on the Rio Doce basin, follow Instituto Terra Foundation on @institutoterrafoundation or on LinkedIn.