[1] The Institute's stated approach emphasizes research, informed debate, and the development of people centred tailor-made solutions.

[6] The Igarapé Institute is headquartered in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, with personnel in São Paulo, Brasília, Bogota and Mexico City.

The Institute also coordinates a network of young Brazilian leaders called Pense Livre to promote changes in national drug policy.

In 2018, it was voted Top Human Rights NGO in Brazil by Instituto Doar,[15] and "Think Tank to Watch" by Prospect magazine.

[16] In 2014, the Institute was one of two Latin American organizations to win a New Digital Age grants from Google Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt.