At the first stage of this project, most efforts were focused on the creation of the Grande Sertão Cooperative. It was accomplished, after six meetings between the commission which created the cooperative and the members. The work plan for the courses to be administered was agreed on and further details were added. A vehicle to be used in benefit of the training course activities was purchased. Materials to aid in the commercialization of products were also prepared by outsourced services. There was constant participation of the smallholders involved in the whole process, enriching the knowledge of these smallholders of both the steps to be taken toward this institutional strengthening and of the micro-regions surrounding their own homes. Power over the management of the project rests on the hands of these committed smallholders. The Grande Sertão micro-business, established in 1988, had much less participation upon its creation than the creation of the cooperative. The planned training and qualification of the broader public, however, was not yet achieved, due to the high concentration of efforts in the creation of the cooperative. The organization is committed to overcome this difficulty before the end of the project. Strengthening local smallholder agriculture and agroextractivism, in alliance with conservation of the natural resources is the mission of this organization, and the affirmation of its purposes with the creation of the cooperative has been a great step toward the accomplishment of this mission.