Grassroots · Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Rede Ecológica
Volunteer buying groups linking Rio households with agroecological farmers
Shine Sunlight to follow their work and see how it grows.
Since 2001Works across the regionAtlantic Forest (Mata Atlântica)
- buying groups
- solidarity economy
- consumer network
- agroecology
- volunteer-run
Rede Ecológica is a volunteer-run social movement for ethical, solidarity and ecological consumption, started in 2001 by residents of Urca in Rio de Janeiro. Neighbourhood groups (núcleos) organise collective purchases directly from family and agroecological farmers, so members pay the producer's price. Members share the work through monthly tasks and mutirões, and the network also runs education, a weekly letter and producer support.
Núcleos currently listed on its site include Campo Grande, Caxias, Cosme Velho, Grajaú, Itaboraí, Niterói (Ingá), Nova Iguaçu, Santa Teresa, São João de Meriti, Urca and Vargem Grande, reaching into the Baixada Fluminense. Newcomers can trial it for two months; joining involves a welcome session, a mutirão and signing a commitment term. It celebrated 20 years in 2021.