The Biocorredor Amazónico Program (BCA) and the BCA Fund have reported progress in their efforts to protect the Amazon region in 2025. These initiatives are part of an environmental policy led by President Daniel Noboa.
In December 2024, Ecuador completed a debt-for-nature swap that mobilized approximately $460 million for conservation and generated $800 million in fiscal savings. This financial operation is considered significant for supporting a new model of sustainability for both finances and territory management.
The BCA Fund was established on November 20, 2024, as an independent institution designed to manage resources from this transaction. In 2025, its governance structure was strengthened with the creation of a multisectoral board that includes representatives from the government, Indigenous peoples and nationalities, academia, and experts in finance and conservation. Non-governmental appointments were made through public calls conducted in ten Indigenous languages to ensure legitimacy and diversity in decision-making.
A selection process also took place for the Executive Director and operational team of the Fund. Their main responsibility will be to manage resources with integrity, efficiency, and an intercultural approach so that investments address real needs in the territory.
A technical milestone during this period was the development of a Monitoring and Evaluation Framework (MyE). This tool will establish indicators, methodologies, and protocols to measure performance and impact for each funded initiative. It aims to reinforce transparency, traceability, and accountability before national authorities, Amazonian communities, and international stakeholders.
The program has also advanced in designing a Social and Environmental Safeguards System. This system is intended to ensure that all interventions respect collective rights, protect natural surroundings, align with international sustainability standards, prevent risks, strengthen community participation, and produce lasting benefits.
The BCA Program seeks to improve management over 4.6 million hectares of land, protect an additional 1.8 million hectares, and safeguard 18,000 kilometers of rivers as it moves into its implementation phase with strong institutional structures.
“The New Ecuador reaffirms its commitment to the Amazon by combining conservation efforts with financial stability and community well-being within a model that aims to serve as an example for the region,” according to officials involved with the program.
