Our work

The FSC Indigenous Foundation (FSC-IF) is an global Indigenous organization supporting Indigenous Peoples’ self-development, self-governance and self-reliance through Indigenous-based solutions, multi-sectoral partnerships and funding.

Motivations

The motivations that led us to create the FSC Indigenous Foundation are:

The global importance of Indigenous Peoples who manage a quarter of the world’s land surface, containing even richer biodiversity than protected areas.
Indigenous territories are a source of global solutions to climate change and carbon cycle management, while delivering sustainable livelihoods and strengthening sustainable forest economies.
The participation of Indigenous Peoples in sustainable production chains corresponds to only 1% of the 300 million hectares of certified forest on the planet.

Only a fraction of funding for Indigenous Peoples and local communities land tenure and forest management directly reaches Indigenous Peoples’ organizations and local communities.
The importance of protecting Indigenous customary rights and valuing their livelihoods and practices as an underlying principle for promoting sustainable forest-nature-based solutions and Indigenous forest enterprises linking Indigenous values, vision, and knowledge and the FSC certification system.

Purpose

Mission

The FSC Indigenous Foundation, being Indigenous led, aims to uphold the rights of Indigenous Peoples, safeguarding their knowledge, authority, and traditional practices to protect Mother Earth’s forests. The Foundation acknowledges Indigenous Peoples as the rightful stewards of sacred landscapes, spanning one-quarter of the planet and affirms the alignment of the Forest Stewardship Council’s mission with the Foundation’s values of living in harmony with and defending Mother Earth.

Vision

The Foundation envisions a future where the rights of Indigenous Peoples are fully honored. Through Indigenous-led solutions and actions in all regions, we will promote the self-determined well-being of Indigenous Peoples and the integration of their wisdom globally to protect and nurture Mother Earth’s forests.

Strategic Pillars

Indigenous Cultural Landscapes

Indigenous leadership and capacity building

Indigenous Grants & Funding

Indigenous Capacity Development

Indigenous Advocacy & Visibility

PROJECTS

Learn about our projects enabling Indigenous Peoples globally to manage and develop their communities and territories based on their vision, knowledge, and rights.

Learn more

Indigenous Learning Platform

Collects information for and about Indigenous Peoples in one place for social learning.

Explore the platform

Indigenous Innovative Solutions Photgraphy Contest

Indigenous photographers from around the world share stories and messages from their communities.

See the winning photos and read the stories