Who We Are

The Perma Lab Institute is a non-profit, non-governmental organization that develops socio-environmental projects in dialogue with different sectors of society.

Our Mission is to promote positive socio-environmental transformations and contribute to the strengthening of territories in the Global South.

In 2020, Perma Lab merged with the NGO Sustentarte, bringing together knowledge, experiences and dreams. Thus, an organization was born that already has more than 14 years of expertise in socio-environmental projects in Rio de Janeiro.

Today, Perma Lab is made up of 5 diverse women. We are powerful and dreamers, and together we seek to work on socio-environmental projects, activate networks, strengthen agroecology and permaculture by building more bridges and fewer walls.

Our story

The history of an organization is something we consider important to tell. Knowing the past and everything that created connections between its different social actors allows us to recognize where we came from, where we are and what paths we want to follow.

Below we share some important milestones in our history:

We started the Institute's base project, the Permacultural School.

We received an invitation to give a TED talk about food production in the city.

We are part of the Rio de Janeiro Urban Agriculture Network (CAU Network).

We are part of the Municipal Council for Urban Agriculture.

2018

Nossa metodologia pedagógica foi reconhecida como uma Tecnologia Social do Banco do Brasil

2019

We launched our first book, Convergências Socioambientais, published by Editora Nupem.

We launched our distance learning course for teacher training.

2020

In partnership with AS PTA, Quilombo do Camorim, Cafundá Astrogilda and Dona Bilina, we launched 6 participatory documentaries promoting quilombola culture.

2021

We received recognition as a Public Utility by the city council of Rio de Janeiro.

We are members of the Rio de Janeiro Municipal Council for the Rights of Children and Adolescents - CMDCA.

We are part of the Agroecological Articulation of the State of Rio de Janeiro (AARJ).

2022

We received the Seal of Recognition for the positive impact on the developed territory of the Formiga Verde project from the City of Rio.

2023

And it continues....

Our team

Clara Trevia

Project Management

Graduated in Cinema and Pedagogy and postgraduate in Territorial Development at UERJ, she has been working in the third sector with socio-environmental projects since 2009. She also produces documentary and institutional audiovisual productions to strengthen groups, organizations and social movements.

Juliana Menezes

Environmental Education and Advocacy

Biologist and educator, graduated in Biological Sciences from UNIRIO, master in Community Psychosociology and Social Ecology - UFRJ. She began her career in education as co-founder of the Perma Lab Institute in 2017.

Golden France

Financeiro

Educator, Psychologist and specialist in Environmental Education from PUC-Rio, master in Community Psychosociology and Social Ecology - UFRJ. Researcher in the environmental field since 2012, part of the research groups Laboratory of Memories, Territories and Occupations - UFRJ and GEASur - UNIRIO researching on Community-Based Environmental Education. Educator in movement in Early Childhood Education since 2013.

Ana Souza

Fundraising and Research

Biologist and educator, she holds a master's degree in ecology (PPGE -UFRJ) and is a PhD candidate in Ecology in the Postgraduate Program in Ecology - UFRJ. She has experience as a teacher in formal and informal teaching spaces. She develops research related to sustainable land use, conservation of plant populations, restoration of landscapes and forests, functional ecology, agroforestry systems and landscape ecology.

Ana Coimbra