Aimorés, July 2025 – Instituto Terra and the Federal Institute of Espírito Santo (IFES) have formalised a strategic partnership that recognises the course promoted by the Centre for Studies in Ecosystem Restoration (NERE) as a benchmark educational practice in post-technical specialisation. The formalisation took place on 10 July, in a symbolic ceremony held at Instituto Terra, with representatives from both institutions in attendance.
The recognition was sealed through a Technical Cooperation Agreement. From now on, certificates issued by NERE will include the IFES logo, further strengthening the credibility of the training.
More than institutional recognition, this partnership strengthens NERE’s position as a concrete pathway for continued training for graduates of environmental technical courses, while also helping to expand opportunities for entry into the labour market.
“The partnership with IFES strengthens ecological restoration as a technical, professional and strategic field for the future. By officially recognizing the training, we reinforce the credibility of the course, value and encourage the efforts of young people and increase their role in building more sustainable territories. IFES is a long-standing partner of Instituto Terra, with whom we share a commitment to quality education, inclusion and sustainable development.” – Jeieli Capettini, Education Manager at Instituto Terra
“The initiative of this partnership between the Federal Institute of Espírito Santo and Instituto Terra and the Center for Ecosystem Restoration Studies is of great importance, as it strengthens the institutional commitment to training young technicians who are trained to act in a technical and sustainable manner.” – Lodovico Ortlieb, Dean of Extension at the Federal Institute of Espírito Santo
A Recognition That Broadens Horizons
In this context, IFES will begin periodically monitoring and evaluating the activities carried out by NERE, contributing to its continuous improvement. The partnership also creates opportunities for Federal Institute staff and students to take part in training, research, extension and innovation activities at Instituto Terra, promoting integration between the institutions, especially in the areas of environmental restoration, sustainable agriculture, environmental education and rural extension.
In addition, IFES will promote NERE across its various campuses, expanding students’ access to the programme and strengthening the link between technical education and professional practice.
A Partnership Put into Practice
The collaboration is also reflected in Instituto Terra’s commitment to transparency and continuous improvement. The organisation will begin sharing regular data and information for the monitoring and evaluation of NERE’s activities, ensuring alignment and quality across its training processes.
At the same time, Instituto Terra continues to invest in updating its methodologies, content and practices, keeping pace with the demands of the environmental sector and the contemporary challenges of ecosystem restoration.
The partnership also strengthens strategies for access to the programme, through the promotion of the selection process among IFES students and the encouragement of affirmative action initiatives, social inclusion and gender equality.
With this partnership, Instituto Terra expands its impact on youth training and reinforces its commitment to employability, fostering connections between students, businesses, environmental restoration projects and sustainability networks.
About NERE
Founded in 2005, NERE is one of Instituto Terra’s flagship environmental education programmes. Designed as a post-technical training course for young people from the Rio Doce basin, it prepares a new generation of professionals to work in ecological restoration, watershed management and sustainable rural solutions.
With a total workload of 2,000 hours — 80% practical and 20% theoretical — the programme also provides benefits such as accommodation, meals, transport, psychosocial support, English language classes and student assistance, promoting equitable access to high-quality training.
In 2024, 23 new Environmental Restoration Agents were trained, with students selected from 21 municipalities in Minas Gerais and Espírito Santo. The selection prioritizes young people from the communities of the Doce River basin, reinforcing the commitment to inclusion, youth protagonism and the generation of socio-environmental solutions in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Applications for the next NERE cohort open in September. The selection process will be announced through Instituto Terra’s social media channels.