TEI Flagship Exchange LATAM 2026: Connecting Experiences, Driving Impact

The TEI Flagship Exchange LATAM will bring together key regional stakeholders to exchange experiences, strengthen strategies in response to the EUDR, and actively learn from hands-on examples of SAFE and other Flagships operating across the region, showcasing practical due diligence solutions within sustainable and deforestation-free value chains.

The exchange aims to strengthen the alignment and complementarity of the Team Europe Initiative (TEI) in the region.

Given that flagship projects such as SAFE Ecuador and AL-INVEST Verde are entering their closure or transition phase in 2026, the event serves as a critical forum for defining strategies for transferring results and establishing sustainability mechanisms that ensure the continuity of progress with public and private stakeholders.

The technical framework of the meeting is guided by the findings documented by the European Forest Institute, which identifies five main pillars for the response to the EUDR:

  • institutional coordination,
  • traceability,
  • legal frameworks,
  • inclusion of small-scale producers,
  • and private sector engagement.

In this context and considering the recent simplifications and guidelines published by the European Commission to provide greater regulatory clarity, the visit to the Ecuadorian Amazon will enable the assessment of real-world applications of due diligence and traceability in the field.

Finally, the lessons learnt, and commitments made in Ecuador will consolidate a regional strategic roadmap that will serve as the main input for better aligning the activities of the Flagship projects and their implementing partners.

Objectives of the Meeting

  • To promote the exchange of regional experiences and tools: To share lessons learnt from the implementation of SAFE in Ecuador and other Flagship projects in order to foster alignment and complementarity of actions in shared territories.
  • Propose elements of sustainability and the transfer of results: Define strategies for the handover of deliverables from projects concluding in 2026 to the new cooperation cycles, identifying sustainability mechanisms coordinated with public and private actors.
  • Assess practical solutions in response to the EUDR: Analyse real-world applications of due diligence and digital traceability in the field to discuss regional impacts and strategies in light of the second extension of the EUDR and the state of preparedness of the countries.
  • Consolidate a regional strategic roadmap: Agree on concrete commitments and progress that strengthen synergies between Flagships.

This event is an invitation-only event. If you have any questions you can contact the secretariat@zerodeforestationhub.eu

Event date:

27/05/2026

- 29/05/2026

Location:
Format:
Organisers:
GIZ SAFE & TEI Zero Deforestation Hub
Languages:
Spanish
Related concepts:
EUDR, EUDR-Readiness, Legality, Sustainability, Traceability
Commodity:
Cocoa
Coffee
Geographical Focus:
Amazon, Ecuador
Research Symposium
10. - 11.09.2026
Collective Insights from Recent Research on
Deforestation-Free Value Chains and the EUDR
Region:

Luwero, Nakaseke, Kassanda, Mubende, Bukomansimbi, Kyotera, Omoro, and Nwoya

Target group:

Smallholder farmers, traders, state and non state actors, and processors

Key activities:
  • Capacity building of smallholder coffee farmers in production practices and sustainable land use management.
  • Establishing traceability system and facilitating access to sustainable financing 
  • Facilitate inclusive business partnerships between producer organizations and supply chain actors​ 
  • Promote multi-stakeholder cooperation​ 
Commodities:
Region:

Huánuco, Ucayali, Pasco and Junín

Target group:

Public and private stakeholders, especially exporting companies, cooperatives and smallholder producers

Key activities:
  • Strengthen the supply chains to meet EUDR requirements 
  • Facilitate access to sustainable finance and knowledge exchange
  • Training of smallholders to sustainable manage their production systems 
Commodities:
Region:

Ngozi and Kayanza 

Target group:

Smallholders

Key activities:
  • Training on the use of traceability tools and support on collection of geolocation data for EUDR compliance 
  • Support the development of a national coffee sector dashboard for traceability and transparency
  • Capacity building of smallholder coffee farmers in production practices and sustainable land use management.​ 
Commodities:
Region:

Centre, South West, Littoral, South, East and West regions

Target group:

Smallholder farmers, women, youth, and indigenous peoples

Key activities:
  • Develop inclusive business partnerships with the private sector 
  • Facilitate access to finance for sustainable business models 
  • Support and train farmers in open-source traceability systems 
  • Promote multistakeholder dialogues to improve legal and regulatory provisions 
Commodities:
Region:

(Lower) Kafue Catchment Ecosystem

Target group:

Farmers and community forest management groups

Key activities:
  • Support community forest management groups in the
    sustainable management of natural resources and livelihood creation
  • Support farmers to produce soy in line with the EUDR and increase productivity, and implement transparency and traceability pilots
Commodities:
Region:

Lampung, West Kalimantan, and Central Sulawesi

Target group:

Smallholder farmers, private sector, and civil society organizations along the value chains

Key activities:
  • Empowering Smallholder Farmers and Farmer Organizations by facilitating traceability and legality, building capacity on Good Agriculture Practices (GAP), and strengthening farmer organizations, ensuring inclusive support for both men and women farmers.
  • Promoting sustainable practices and collaboration by supporting village HCV/HCS conservation efforts, testing and strengthening the National Dashboard for traceability and legality, and fostering national and regional exchanges.
Commodities:
Region:

Son La, Gia Lai ​​

Target group:

Smallholder farmers and marginalized groups

Key activities:
  • Support coffee value chain actors
  • Foster deforestation-free, sustainable, and legal supply chains
Commodities:
Region:

Yangambi Biosphere Reserve, Salonga National Park North, Salonga National Park South, Virunga National Park, Kahuzi-Biéga National Park​

Target group:

Public and private sector

Key activities:
  • Promote sustainable agricultural practices
  • Minimize forest degradation
  • Prevent deforestation
Commodities:
Region:

Provinces of Orellana and Sucumbíos

Target group:

Smallholder farmers, women, indigenous people and youth

Key activities:
  • Promoting Multi Stakeholder Dialogues
  • Improving traceabilty systems
Commodities:
Region:

Xingu territory, State of Pará

Target group:

Family farmers

Key activities:
  • Improve market access, value creation, and access to sustainable finance
  • Integrate farmers into traceability systems
Commodities:
Global activities