Núcleo de Agroecologia da Universidade de Brasília

The Núcleo de Agroecologia da Universidade de Brasília (NEA-UnB) was established with the mission and strategy of continuously fostering multi-institutional network activities. Its goal is to identify and systematize territorial experiences, leveraging their outcomes to map and/or influence processes of social innovation, as well as the adaptation or creation of new technological designs and public policies.

To achieve this, NEA-UnB brings together academic units from diverse fields of knowledge, such as the Center for Sustainable Development (CDS) and the Faculty of Agronomy and Veterinary Medicine (FAV) located at the Darcy Ribeiro campus. It also collaborates with faculty members and students from the Graduate Program in Environment and Rural Development (PPG-MADER) at the UnB Planaltina campus (FUP), as well as external partners, including Embrapa, cooperatives and associations of family farmers and agrarian reform settlers, rural extension organizations, NGOs, rural extension agents, educators, and students.

The NEA-UnB operates on the foundational principle of network-based participation, with activities aimed at building agroecological knowledge through learning units. These activities address themes such as markets, successional agroforestry systems, water management, innovation, and public policy. The project team embodies the collective aspiration to unite efforts in network collaboration, strengthening agroecology and promoting responsible production in the Cerrado biome.

Find out more (in Portuguese)
http://www.nea.unb.br/

Dreams and Aspirations
The Núcleo de Agroecologia da Universidade de Brasília (NEA-UnB) envisions a future where agroecology becomes a central pillar of sustainable development in the Cerrado biome and beyond. Its dream is to foster vibrant, interconnected communities that embody ecological balance, social equity, and economic resilience. By promoting participatory knowledge-sharing and innovation, NEA-UnB aspires to empower family farmers, agrarian reform settlers, and rural communities to become leaders in sustainable agricultural practices, preserving biodiversity while improving livelihoods.

Goals and Commitments
NEA-UnB is committed to driving systemic change through education, research, and collaboration. Its goals include strengthening multi-institutional networks, creating platforms for agroecological learning, and influencing public policies that support sustainable farming and social innovation. By building capacity among farmers, students, and rural extension agents, the Hub aims to establish replicable models of responsible production, foster thriving local markets, and contribute to the global movement for food sovereignty and climate resilience.