We were in Manaus from September 8 to 11 for the Impact Minds 2026 conference, one of the largest impact investment gatherings in Latin America. Organized by Latimpacto, this year’s event was themed “Connecting Us” and brought together hundreds of participants from more than 20 countries, creating a space in the Amazon for dialogue among investors, philanthropists, companies, civil society organizations, governments, universities, and communities. Fundación Avina is a member of the Latimpacto network, recognizing that it is essential to join efforts, knowledge, and strategies with other organizations in the region to build impact collaboratively.
Throughout the event, we sought to create a space for active listening and dialogue with organizations about impact opportunities. “We found co-investors, we found longtime partners of Avina, we discussed the energy transition and food systems, and we took part in several panels that were very important for the philanthropy ecosystem,” said Paula Pariz, our program coordinator.
Our Director of Operations, Andrés Abecasis, also joined the panel “An Economy That Works for Everyone,” which discussed the challenge of building economies in which more people can participate, prosper, and generate impact. The conversation brought together experiences that are strengthening enterprises, mobilizing financing, and building alliances for more inclusive economies. Also taking part in the discussion were Mauricio Verkooijen, National Director of NESsT in Peru, and Juan Victor Fajardo, of the Pan American Development Foundation, moderated by Lucas Conrado, CEO of Estímulo.
By bringing an international conference of this scale to the heart of the Amazon, Impact Minds highlighted the region’s importance for sustainability and the future of the planet, bringing the global impact debate closer to local realities. The agenda was designed to show that Latin America’s major challenges do not happen in isolation and, therefore, cannot be tackled by sectors or organizations working separately either. This perspective aligns directly with our framework for action, ColaborAção (Collaborative Action). We believe that, when well designed, collaboration can drive systemic change capable of closing gaps. Spaces like Impact Minds matter because they allow bonds to be built and strengthened — and to move off the page and into reality.
