The FSC Indigenous Foundation will attend the UNCCD COP16 to promote Indigenous land rights and solutions to combat desertification
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“But Mother Earth – it’s us. It is everything that we belong to and that belongs to us,” says Niila Inga of the Saami People and a member of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Permanent Indigenous Peoples Committee, reflecting Indigenous Peoples’ deep spiritual connection with Mother Earth.
We see the land not as a resource to be exploited, but as a living, integral being that sustains all life and ensures the balance of ecosystems. It is the foundation of our identity, our culture, and our survival. It is through our connection to the land that Indigenous Peoples secure the future of our planet and for us all.
However, Indigenous communities often face threats to their land rights that hinder their ability to implement sustainable land practices effectively. Protecting Indigenous land rights and supporting their knowledge systems through partnerships and investments is crucial for addressing environmental challenges like desertification and drought.
For these reasons, the FSC Indigenous Foundation (FSC-IF) will actively participate in the16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from December 2 – 13, 2024. This crucial conference will unite leaders from governments, the private sector, civil society, and global stakeholders to accelerate progress in sustainable land management and combat the growing threat of desertification.
At COP16, we will promote Indigenous land rights as a key solution to combat desertification, influence global climate policies, and engage stakeholders to foster new collaborations and resource mobilization.
Our work for land rights
The FSC Indigenous Foundation is advancing Indigenous land rights and governance through a variety of global initiatives.
In partnership with the Fund for the Development of Indigenous Peoples of America (FILAC), we have conducted studies on Indigenous land rights across Latin America and are expanding our research into Africa, providing critical data for advocacy. We are supporting Indigenous communities in remedy processes, where rights to land have not been respected previously.
We also support Indigenous governance by supporting traditional authorities and communities develop Charters of Rights, which help consolidate Indigenous governance in both recognized and unrecognized territories. For territories yet to be recognized, the Charter can become a valuable instrument and tool for advocacy. With territorial regulations aligned with their cosmovision and values, Indigenous communities can better steward their land and natural resources and grow businesses aligned with their worldviews.
In Panama and Honduras, we are helping to advance policies that support Indigenous economic empowerment, land rights, and the Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) processes. In Kenya, we are facilitating dialogue between the Ogiek Peoples and government institutions to align policies with Indigenous rights.
In Central Africa, we partnered with the regional network REPALEAC to organize a participatory mapping workshop, where 50 participants from eight countries developed a system for monitoring and collecting data on the rights, culture, lands, and territories of Indigenous Peoples, supporting REPALEAC’s goal of securing 4 million hectares of land by 2025.
Get involved
Indigenous Peoples are not just victims of land degradation but are integral to its solution. Indigenous land rights, traditional knowledge, and cultural landscapes offer powerful solutions to desertification and climate change. Protecting these rights and community land stewardship is key to restoring ecosystems, fostering resilience, and ensuring the future of all life on Earth.
Join us at COP16 and beyond as we bring Indigenous solutions to the center of global climate dialogues. Together, we can create a future where people and Mother Earth thrive in harmony.
Stay tuned for updates and reach out to us at fsc.if@fsc.org to get involved.
We are Lenca Women
Lenca Indigenous Women lead cultural revitalization and economic empowerment
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From September 4-6, 2024, the Gathering of Lenca Indigenous Women took place in the community of Yamaranguila in Intibucá, Honduras. This significant event under the Indigenous Women’s Economic Empowerment Initiative (I-WEE) was born from a collective desire expressed by the Lenca women’s organizations the FSC Indigenous Foundation is working with. The Gathering was a space for exchange of knowledge and experiences among Lenca women for the revitalization of the Lenca culture.
The event was developed around four core themes, each addressing critical aspects of Lenca identity: spirituality, traditional food, mother language, and traditional plant medicine. It was organized with the support of an Organizing Committee of delegates nominated by all the organizations.
The meeting began with a spiritual ceremony led by the Auxiliary of the Vara Alta, a traditional Lenca Indigenous institution of Intibucá and Yamaranguila. Next, Regina Jun, Acting Director of the Program Office of USAID Honduras, gave opening remarks, highlighting the crucial role of Indigenous women in preserving the rich culture of their peoples. Carlos Blandón, Director of the Indigenous Peoples Alliance for Rights and Development (IPARD) Program implemented by the FSC Indigenous Foundation, recognized Indigenous women as fundamental pillars of the development of their Peoples, who have an intrinsic connection with Mother Earth, their families, communities, and territories. Leila Reyes, Indigenous Affairs Officer of the Foundation and an Indigenous Lenca woman, explained the Gathering’s objective to strengthen Lenca culture based on the four priority areas.
Lenca Indigenous Spirituality
The Lenca worldview is deeply intertwined with nature, and their spiritual practices, such as “La Compostura” and “El Guancasco,” reflect this connection. Members of the Auxiliary of the Vara Alta de Intibucá demonstrated these symbolism-rich ceremonies. Then participants engaged in discussions about their significance and the challenges of preserving these traditions.
The “Guancasco” is a ceremony that promotes forgiveness and reconciliation between Peoples, traditionally celebrating peace and friendship between brothers and sisters. In the Lenca language, “Guanco” signifies brother and “Guanca” sister. The ceremony’s symbolic elements themselves have been passed down from generation to generation, such as the wooden mask, drum, baton, flags, and whistle. The ceremony involves the construction of two altars and represents a syncretism between Lenca spirituality and the Catholic Church.
The “Compostura” is a ceremony of thanksgiving and prayer to Mother Earth and the Creator, traditionally performed before planting or cultivating maize or beans. The ceremony is also an act of healing and includes an offering of chilcate, cacao, and copal – an incense that is food for the soul. The ceremony leads to unity, and harmony, and inspires people to return to their roots.
In the discussion, participants highlighted that Lenca cultural and spiritual practices are related to Mother Earth, for example, the phases of the moon. One participant noted that her ancestors cultivated crops according to the phases of the moon and always had abundant results. The Compostura also involves a deep respect for Mother Earth, since she represents life itself because she has the infinite capacity to bear fruit. The most important and significant Composturas of the Lenca People are for the planting and harvesting of corn, performed periodically throughout the year.
Lenca Traditional Gastronomy
Food in Lenca culture is not just sustenance but a sacred gift from the Creator. In the dialogue on Lenca traditional foods, the Indigenous women explored the cultural importance of these foods, particularly those made from corn and beans. Lenca gastronomy is an expression of connection with Mother Earth and her elements and includes traditional dishes such as atol shuco (a maize drink), and different corn and bean stews. Lenca food is traditionally cultivated and prepared from ingredients grown under the sun, to nourish both the body and the spirit.
During this space, participants reflected on the profound relationship between food and culture as well as challenges faced in the revitalization of Lenca gastronomy. Fast food, food processed with chemicals, and gradual loss of culture and language are leading to the disappearance of Lenca traditional food, which used to be passed down from generation to generation. Another key challenge mentioned was the impact of climate change on the seasons and agriculture. In addition, existing limitations on women’s legal access to land also make it more difficult for them to preserve and maintain traditions.
Women proposed solutions, for example to use social media to promote Lenca food and culture to future generations. The session concluded with sharing recipes and tasting different traditional dishes.
Reviving the Lenca Language
Given the loss of fluent speakers and the scarcity of written records, revitalizing the Lenca language is a priority for cultural preservation. Participants engaged in discussions and practical exercises to compile and share traditional words and phrases, highlighting the role of youth in preserving their linguistic heritage. During the event participants received a guide and basic dictionary of some words in the Lenca language.
“Language is important to our identity, it’s part of what makes us who we really are,” said Sandra Veronica Zerón, facilitator of this theme of the Gathering.
Plants as Sources of Traditional Lenca Medicine
The Lenca People have a deep ancestral knowledge of plants and their healing properties. Historically they have used this knowledge in their traditional medicine, a practice that has been orally transmitted from generation to generation, in which women play a key role.
However, these practices are now under threat. For example, deforestation and logging have caused many species to become extinct, and with them the knowledge and practices of Indigenous Peoples. Lidia Reyes, an ethnobotanical researcher, moderated this space for reflection and began the dialogue with the following question: “When cutting down a single tree, how many lives are lost with it?”
Participants formed groups to share knowledge and experience in the use of plants and their properties – such as oregano, chamomile, basil, ginger, pine, and lime.
“With each pine acorn, thousands of forests can be regenerated, and for each fungus that is left to throw spores, thousands of forests are regenerated. But iron and oil, which have replaced the resin of the trees, are not renewable. The day they disappear we will no longer have the fundamental elements for life,” said Lidia Reyes.
Event highlights
The event coincided with the International Day of Indigenous Women on September 5th, providing an opportunity to honor the crucial role Lenca women play in their families and communities. Each of the fourteen participating organizations received a symbolic piece of art painted by children attending the art school Lenca Chalchiguas in recognition of their historic work for the rights of women and Indigenous Peoples.
One of our partner organizations in Honduras, ARCILI, an organization for Lenca Peoples with visual disabilities participated in the event with Braille material promoting their inclusion in the activities. “The group of people with disabilities, in this case represented by ARCILI in this Gathering, has participated just like the other organizations and this is positive,” said Ruben Vasquz, ARCILI.
Understanding that childcare responsibilities can be a barrier for Indigenous women to participate in activities of interest, FSC-IF implemented a strategy to enable Lenca mothers to participate fully in the event. Children participated in culturally appropriate activities that followed the same four key areas of the Gathering, enabling mothers to engage in the exchange of knowledge, and for the children to play and learn about Lenca culture together.
The path ahead
This Gathering marked a significant step towards the cultural and economic empowerment of Lenca Indigenous women, ensuring that their identity and culture thrive for future generations. It recognized that Indigenous women are the guardians, protectors and defenders of Mother Earth, natural resources, tradition, and culture, promoting their role as a bridge for inter-scientific and intercultural dialogue. It is essential to continue recognizing, valuing and strengthening their fundamental role within their Peoples.
“Women should not crawl; they should have the momentum to fly. I know everyone has this impulse today.”
Rosario Garcia, Coordinator of the Table of Unity of the Lenca Indigenous People (MUPILH).
Participants stated the need to document the wisdom and practices of the Lenca People. As a next step, we are working to document the knowledge shared during the Gathering and will share it with the participating women’s organizations to ensure that these invaluable insights will continue to benefit the Lenca community.
We invite organizations and entities to become our financial and technical partners to continue and multiply the important impact of I-WEE and other crucial initiatives. If your organization or business is interested in collaborating with us and with Indigenous women for sustainable change, we invite you to connect at fsc.if@fsc.org.
About I-WEE
The I-WEE initiative works with Indigenous women and girls in Guatemala and Honduras to promote their economic empowerment by strengthening capacities, generating enabling environments for their active participation and advocacy, and strengthening productive initiatives led by Indigenous women. It is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) with private sector partners.
About FSC Indigenous Foundation
The FSC Indigenous Foundation is a global Indigenous organization promoting Indigenous-led actions for their development and self-reliance. We work to elevate Indigenous Peoples in their contribution to the protection of Mother Earth and recognize them as providers of solutions and partners to fight against global challenges.
A milestone at COP16: Global recognition of Indigenous rights and their role in the protection of biodiversity
The creation of the Permanent Subsidiary Body on Article 8j and international partnerships pave the way for an active participation of Indigenous Peoples at COP30 in Brazil in 2025
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The historic decision at COP16: Indigenous Peoples get a Permanent Subsidiary Body on Traditional Knowledge
The recent UN COP16 marked a milestone for Indigenous Peoples by establishing a Permanent Subsidiary Body on Article 8j, which gives them an official voice in global conservation policies. After intense negotiations, the agreement was announced by Colombia’s Minister of Environment, representing a historic recognition of Indigenous knowledge systems and their profound relationship with nature. This breakthrough validates the ancestral wisdom of Indigenous communities in the protection of biodiversity and underscores their essential role in caring for the planet.
The creation of the Permanent Subsidiary Body on Article 8J represents a historic step forward for Indigenous Peoples, whose recognition goes beyond symbolism; it is a true inclusion in global decision-making on biodiversity.
In this achievement, the G9 of the Indigenous Amazon, an alliance of nine organizations of Indigenous Peoples of the Amazon, was fundamental, standing out at COP16 as a strategic actor.
Amazonian Indigenous Organizations form an alliance; G9
In their statement, they highlighted their ancestral role as guardians of the forests, warning that any dialogue on biodiversity and climate is meaningless without their participation. Faced with threats such as illegal mining and deforestation, they urged states to protect their territories and recognize their rights, requesting direct funding and participation in global policies. Their efforts contributed to the creation of the Permanent Subsidiary Body on Article 8J, a key achievement for their inclusion in global decision-making, and laid the groundwork for them to play a key role towards COP30 in Brazil in 2025.
Partnerships for Indigenous Peoples’ rights, economies and ecosystems in Africa
Highlights at COP16:
The FSC Indigenous Foundation and REPALEAC signed an agreement to strengthen initiatives with Indigenous Peoples in the Congo Basin, focusing on the defense of their rights, economic empowerment and sustainable management of forest ecosystems in Central Africa. This partnership with REPALEAC seeks to enhance the capacities of Indigenous organizations through participatory training and promote their participation in decision-making on natural resources, climate policy and biodiversity.
The FSC Indigenous Foundation signed an agreement with the Ogiek People’s Development Program (OPDP) to strengthen its collaboration with this community and protect the Mau Forest, a place of vital cultural and environmental importance to the Ogiek. This alliance seeks to empower Ogiek women and foster an inclusive dialogue by promoting policies that respect their rights and ancestral knowledge of biodiversity.
The FSC Indigenous Foundation has expanded its collaboration with the Indigenous Peoples of Africa Coordinating Committee (IPACC), the world’s largest Indigenous Peoples’ network, which brings together 135 organizations in 21 African countries. This alliance seeks to promote the defense of the rights, recognition and economic opportunities of Indigenous communities in the management of their lands, in addition to promoting economic activities based on their worldview and traditional knowledge.
These initiatives ensure that Indigenous communities actively participate in decision-making about their lands and resources, as highlighted by leaders such as Nadia Gómez and Maatal Pérez during COP16. The testimonies of these leaders invite us to reflect on the urgency of recognizing the importance of Indigenous participation in the preservation of biodiversity.
Voices from COP16: Listen to our delegation and Indigenous leaders:
Mohamed Handaine – Indigenous knowledge for biodiversity management:
“If we take the Sahel as an example, we have a water shortage, so the Indigenous Peoples have created extraordinary systems to manage this water shortage.”
Yaily Castillo – Indigenous Youth and Leadership:
COP16 serves as a space for Indigenous youth from Latin America and the Caribbean to connect and collaborate on leadership and participation strategies.
“We seek to create useful platforms and tools for the youth network that we are promoting at the FSC Indigenous Foundation.”
Nadia Gómez – Importance of the Participation of Indigenous Peoples:
COP16 represents a platform for Indigenous youth and veteran leaders to be heard at the global level.
“Forests and rivers we consider them sources of energy and wisdom and historically, we have been the ones to protect these ecosystems so that today the world enjoys preserved landscapes.”
Carlos Blandón – Resource Mobilization for Indigenous Peoples:
The objective at COP16 is to establish partnerships with actors from the public and private sectors and multilateral organizations to implement biodiversity agreements.
Maatal Perez – Economic Empowerment of Indigenous Peoples:
We work under the principle of “free, prior and informed consent” before any intervention, which guarantees respect for the autonomy of the communities.
Listen to each of them and discover how their efforts at COP16 open a path of change and hope for all.
COP16 marked a significant advance in the recognition of the rights of Indigenous Peoples, underscoring their fundamental role in the protection of biodiversity and the sustainable management of ecosystems. This momentum towards inclusion and respect for their ancestral knowledge is crucially projected towards COP30 in Brazil in 2025, where the active participation of Indigenous Peoples will be essential to address the global challenges of biodiversity and climate change.
Indigenous solutions at COP29
FSC Indigenous Foundation engagement at the UN Climate Change Conference in Baku, Azerbaijan
FSC-IF
At the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29), a global coalition is gathering in solidarity in Baku, Azerbaijan, to address the climate crisis. As the world faces increasingly severe environmental disasters, Indigenous Peoples are on the frontlines with the knowledge and solutions needed to combat climate change. Their deep ecological wisdom, sustainable practices, and stewardship of the land are crucial for a sustainable future. Indigenous knowledge is a climate solution.
A green world is an Indigenous world
Indigenous Peoples manage 25% of the Earth’s surface, rich in biodiversity and home to 36% of the world’s intact forests. These territories could contribute up to 37% of global CO2 mitigation by 2030. Their role in tackling the climate crisis is essential. However, their rights must be fully recognized and supported to unlock their potential for climate solutions.
At COP29, the global community must take action to support the rights, self-devlopment, and self-reliance of Indigenous Peoples. When Indigenous Peoples’ rights are respected, their ecological knowledge can guide sustainable resource management for future generations. While stakeholders gather this week in solidarity for a green world, we know that a green world is an Indigenous world, and together, we can make this vision a reality.
The FSC Indigenous Foundation at COP29
We are attending COP29 to highlight the essential role of Indigenous communities in climate action, advocate for direct climate funding to Indigenous Peoples, and engage with diverse stakeholders, implementing our multi-sectoral approach. Our delegation includes:
Salina Sanou, Africa and Asia Regional Director and IPARD Deputy Director
Olga Kostrova, FSC Permanent Indigenous Peoples Committee (PIPC) member
Anne Samante, FSC Permanent Indigenous Peoples Committee (PIPC) member
Basiru Isa, FSC Permanent Indigenous Peoples Committee (PIPC) member, REPALEAC
Integrating Indigenous Peoples into Nationally Determined Contributions
By creating a platform for dialogue and collaboration, this event aims to bridge the gap between policy frameworks and the grassroots knowledge that Indigenous communities offer.
Find us at other key events organized by the Forest Stewardship Council. More information here.
Indigenous women on the frontline against climate change
Listen to Indigenous women from around the world share how climate change is affecting their communities and the innovative solutions they bring to adapt to and mitigate climate change.
Join us!
The FSC Indigenous Foundation seeks partnerships with governments, multilateral institutions, and the private sector to achieve visionary goals by leveraging the power of your resources, your expertise, and your innovative tools. Let’s work together to elevate Indigenous solutions for climate action and shape policies that respect and incorporate traditional knowledge.
If you would like to meet us during COP29 to discuss how we can build sustainable solutions together, write to us at fsc.if@fsc.org.
