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
FSC-IF
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.
Weaving Life
Indigenous women’s organizations of Quetzaltenango and Totonicapán, Guatemala gathered to share knowledge, experiences, and strategies, and dialogue with stakeholders.
FSC-IF
Quetzaltenango, Guatemala – The FSC Indigenous Foundation, in collaboration with Hivos and the Mesoamerican Alliance of Peoples and Forests (AMPB), through the Coordinating Committee of Women Territorial Leaders of Mesoamerica (CMLT), organized a National Meeting of Indigenous Women’s Organizations of Quetzaltenango and Totonicapán, Guatemala. This significant event, part of the Indigenous Women’s Economic Empowerment (I-WEE) Initiative, took place on August 8 and 9, to strengthen the empowerment and advocacy of Indigenous women.
The event brought together more than 100 delegates from over 30 Indigenous women’s organizations participating in the I-WEE initiative and key stakeholders from international cooperation and private and public sectors. It served as a platform to explore new solutions and strategies for Indigenous women to be at the center of economic and political actions.
Participants shared knowledge, experiences, and strategies on three crucial topics:
Indigenous women’s political participation and advocacy
Addressing violence against Indigenous women
Economic empowerment of Indigenous women
The Mayan cosmovision was the foundation of the event, opening each day with an offering of gratitude and closing with a spiritual moment. Participants sat in a circle around an altar in the center with offerings of candles symbolizing the four cardinal points, as well as the Heart of Heaven, the Heart of the Earth, and flowers. The slogan for the event was “Weaving Life.”
Day 1: Empowerment and recognition among Indigenous women
During the first day, delegates of Indigenous women’s organizations connected, shared wisdom, and discussed their experiences on the three key topics.
In the first word circle, “Indigenous women and their participation in politics, in decision-making spaces and the challenges and opportunities encountered,” Indigenous women emphasized the importance of being recognized as active subjects in politics and decision-making. They shared challenges such as violence, machismo, competition between women, and discrimination, for example for wearing their traditional clothing. They proposed solutions for increasing the visibility of Indigenous women, starting in the family, all the way to participation in politics. Media and communications can be a tool for change. Another solution proposed was the need for workshops for men to understand how to treat and work with women. One conclusion was clear – the need for regulations promoting parity and alternation, not just in the political sphere.
Those who did not have the opportunity to speak added their ideas with post-it notes to the wall, and this information was collected and incorporated into the dialogues the following day with stakeholders.
The next word circle, “Advocacy actions that can be implemented by communities to reduce violence against Indigenous women,” featured two life stories of Indigenous women survivors of violence who have managed to leave abusive relationships. They have taken on leadership roles in their communities, helping others to overcome violence.
Solutions were proposed at all levels, including the need for justice; training for women on rights and for the staff of institutions that guarantee women’s rights on how to provide dignified, respectful, accessible, and culturally relevant care; and the importance of self-love.
“I feel fortunate to be a Mayan woman,” said one participant.
Participants also discussed the importance of healing processes and ceremonies, and Nan Graciela Velasquez Chuc led a healing process with plants.
The final word circle of the day, “What is being done for the economic development and entrepreneurship of Indigenous women” included interventions from women involved in various economic projects, from textiles to chocolate and tomatoes. In the absence of political participation due to racism, economic development was noted as a key channel for Indigenous women’s empowerment.
Women shared their stories to create businesses, highlighting key challenges such as water scarcity, harvest loss, sanitary licenses, organizational strengthening, production equipment, and the need for increased technical knowledge. Indigenous women’s organizations have been overcoming these challenges through knowledge exchanges, healing from the Mayan cosmovision, and articulating exactly what they wanted to achieve. One participant noted that this is the definition of empowerment – knowing what you want and seeing the path to achieve it.
As a closing of this word circle, Patricia Chuc led a self-care and wellness activity that incorporated breathing, motion, and water.
The day concluded with a cultural evening with a performance by the Maya Kaqchikel group Sotz’il Jay and a reading by Mayan poet Negma Coy. It invited a reflection on how art can be healing and a uniting force.
Day 2: Collaborative dialogues with key actors
On the second day, key actors from communities, Indigenous Peoples’ authorities, local and national governments, UN agencies, implementing partners, multilateral organizations, businesses, and civil society joined the event for inclusive dialogues. The contributions and insights from Indigenous women gathered the previous day were organized into prioritized topics. These were then shared during the dialogues to ensure the creation of impactful actions and strategies that consider the identity and culture of Indigenous women.
The first dialogue “Actions to promote the political participation of Indigenous women” highlighted the importance of Indigenous women’s own mobilization and advocacy. Participants also noted the need for transparent information on resources directed to them, and for projects and programs that respond to Indigenous women’s realities, priorities, and leadership.
Indigenous women’s power and valuable contributions were highlighted, especially in the promotion of peace. Women have different ways of seeing and making decisions, and this complementarity is needed at all levels. One Indigenous woman participant noted the “wealth of the struggles we have in common.”
At the end of this dialogue, the Indigenous women participants read the demands they had formulated the day before, which included: reform of the Electoral and Political Parties Law, promoting that each political party has at least 50% participation of Indigenous women; creation and promotion of opportunities for women by the State to participate in socio-political environments under equal conditions; strengthening and financing of institutions created to protect and promote the rights of Indigenous women.
The second dialogue “Actions to prevent and reduce violence against Indigenous women” highlighted the importance of education of women and youth on their rights.
The women’s demands included: a judicial system that responds effectively to complaints of violence with cultural relevance; better medical and psychological health care for survivors of violence, as well as training for health personnel; mass visual and radio awareness campaigns aimed at the entire population to promote a culture of peace and prevention of violence; culturally relevant care for women in Mother languages with respect for their culture, beliefs, and way of life; laws, policies, plans and programs in favor of women respond to their needs and emerge from the grassroots level.
The final dialogue of the day “I support economic development and Indigenous women’s entrepreneurship” highlighted the need for concrete and transparent funding, beyond words of commitment.
The women read their demands in this area, mentioning: facilitating market access for Indigenous women’s products; providing women with seed capital to strengthen their enterprises; providing Indigenous women with new technologies and capacity building for their use, together with their Indigenous knowledge; promoting spaces for the exchange of experiences at the local, national, regional and international levels with Indigenous women entrepreneurs; and that implementing partners do not duplicate efforts, but rather develop integral processes according to their specialties to support enterprises.
To close the two-day event, participants received recognition awards created in wood with the name of the event in ancient Mayan epigraphic writing, before an energetic closing before the alter to end the two-day meeting.
Pioneering elements of this initiative
The FSC Indigenous Foundation introduced several pioneering elements at the event, emphasizing an Indigenous women’s cosmovision perspective.
One of the key innovations was providing simultaneous interpretation in the Mayan languages K’iche’ and Mam, in addition to Spanish and English, to facilitate participation in the women’s mother languages. The FSC-IF, in collaboration with Angloservicios, provided training for the K’iche’ and Mam interpreters on using Zoom’s virtual interpretation booths. This likely marks the first time simultaneous interpretation of Indigenous languages has been included in a national event in Guatemala.
Another crucial element was childcare provision, recognizing that many women cannot attend activities and workshops due to childcare responsibilities. The FSC-IF has incorporated childcare in all I-WEE workshops so mothers participate fully while their children engage and learn together. Facilitators used a ludo-pedagogical methodology, incorporating elements of the Mayan cosmovision for the children.
The way forward
This event underscores the commitment of the FSC Indigenous Foundation and its partners to support Indigenous women’s organizations in Guatemala to lead their development. The Meeting initiated concrete actions to promote Indigenous women’s economic, political, and social empowerment.
FSC-IF will consolidate the results of the dialogues of the meeting together with the demands articulated by Indigenous women. We will return this information to the Indigenous women’s organizations to accompany them, together with partners and allies, in positioning in different spaces and mechanisms of decision-making, resource mobilization, and design and implementation of programs and projects.
We are continuously seeking technical and financial partners to expand our work with 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 implemented by FSC-IF in collaboration with partners AMBP, Hivos, UNDP, FAO, and UN Women / Indigenous Women’s Platform and 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.
The Humanist Institute for the Cooperation with Developing Countries (Hivos) is an international organization working for a world in which people can realize their full potential and unleash their ingenuity and creativity to build just and sustainable societies for themselves and future generations. Hivos’ mission is to amplify and connect voices that promote social and environmental justice and challenge power imbalances.
Strengthening Indigenous communities: community forests in Peru and sustainable forest management
The Shipibo and Belgica communities protect their ancestral lands with Indigenous knowledge.
FSC-IF
December 2023 – Miranda Mars, in collaboration with FSC Latin America and FSC Peru
Globally, FSC® has actively collaborated with local communities to promote sustainable forest management practices. The wisdom of indigenous communities in protecting their forests is an invaluable source of inspiration for us all. Their deep connection to nature, their understanding of delicate ecosystems and their traditional knowledge are lights and guides on the journey of being stewards of the forest.
Recognizing the importance and richness of Peru’s forest resources and the need for their conservation, the local FSC office has been working closely with indigenous communities and small producers throughout the country, through capacity building initiatives, technical support and guidance on responsible forest management; implementing in collaboration with them, sustainable practices that balance environmental, social and economic impact.
In this story, we dive into inspiring trips to indigenous communities in two regions of Peru. We visited 5 Shipibo communities in Ucayali and the Belgica Native Community in Madre de Dios. These communities are dedicated to sustainable forestry practices, prioritizing the protection of their ancestral lands for future generations. As we celebrate their efforts in forest conservation, we remember that sustainable practices and responsible forest management are key to a prosperous future for both nature and humanity.
Shipibo Indigenous Communities
Caring for the Amazon
For this story we go deep into the Amazon jungle. A three-hour boat ride down the river from Pucallpa in Ucayali takes us to Callería. This area was once the victim of uncontrolled exploitation. In the 1990s, informal loggers infiltrated their land, devastating 500 hectares of the community’s forest, which covers a total of 4,000 hectares. The Callería community has a diverse landscape, including specific areas for urban expansion, agriculture, hunting and forest preservation. Home to approximately 50 families of the Shipibo-Conibo ethnic group, this community values its unique language while also adopting Spanish as a common means of communication. Timber harvesting, fishing and the sale of handicrafts are the mainstay of their economic activities.
Photo: FSC Peru
At the heart of Callería lies a deep connection to the forest, as Diana Mori, a member of the Shipibo-Conibo people, shares. “One of the most cherished memories I have about the forest is during the month of August when millions of bird species arrive. It is a time of joy and excitement for our community.Mothers prepare baskets and, together with our fathers, we venture into the forest to collect eggs.The abundance of eggs allows us to collect just enough for the day, ensuring their freshness.In addition, we return with freshly caught fish, which have a unique taste, different from any fish bought in the city.This moment of sharing and enjoying fresh fish from the rivers in our forests captures our greatest joy as Shipibo people: the essence of our happiness lies in these communal experiences.”
Photo: FSC International
Diana smiles as she shares these memories, as she goes on to explain more about her and the community’s connection to the forest: “The universe and the ecosystem are one living entity. We interrelate, caring for and protecting each other.Our connection extends to the land, water, cosmos, and biotic and abiotic beings.The connection to our resources is so strong, that it allows us to communicate with nature and live in harmony with all living things.”
Diana believes that every individual is born with a mission, and hers is to safeguard the resources that sustain communities, for future generations.
Later, she will explain more about the important resources the forest provides and how they empower the community. But first, we’ll dive into sustainable forest management and FSC certification.
Community FSC Certification
More than 10 years ago, recognizing the urgent need to protect the forest in Callería, the Association for Integral Research and Development (AIDER) stepped in. Empowered with knowledge and determination, the communities of this region came together to protect and restore their forest. After five years of dedication and hard work, in 2011 they achieved a significant milestone: the distinction of becoming the first community concession to obtain FSC certification for sustainable forest management. This achievement further strengthened their relationship with the forest; and their commitment to learning and improving their practices continues to benefit both the community and the invaluable ecosystem they protect.
Pio Santiago, who works for AIDER, is extremely proud of these achievements: “They were the first community in Peru to obtain forest certification. This posed a major challenge with significant economic, social and environmental impacts. The management of their forests has played a crucial role in incentivizing these communities, empowering them to protect their resources and benefit from sustainable practices. We are here to ensure that Callería’s forests endure, so that children can inherit a rich heritage and continue to live harmoniously with nature.”
Photo: FSC International
FSC certification has enabled communities in this region to evaluate their resources and generate economic opportunities while ensuring sustainability. Their wealth of timber resources allows them to build houses and take advantage of the forest’s economic potential. The forest also helps maintain their identity and presents opportunities within the community, as the resources ensure their sustainable way of life. Diana explains, “In our quest for a better future for our children, grandchildren and future generations, we focus on the potential of our natural resources. We possess a variety of valuable resources, including clays, seeds, bark, medicinal and therapeutic plants.These resources provide us with opportunities to improve and build new models, rooted in our forest-based development perspective.Our resilience as a community is encouraged by our commitment to preserve life and maintain our culture, as we recognize our social responsibility to safeguard and care for the environment.The forest is not only a provider of resources, but also a source that helps us maintain our identity and ensures sustainable livelihoods within our community”.
A glimpse of tomorrow
Looking to the future, Diana and her community envision museums and workshops where students can learn about the botanical, biological and chemical aspects of the forest. They want to establish restaurants and visitor sites that promote community visits, ensuring their sustainable way of life. Education, especially improving schools for children, plays a crucial role in preserving traditional roles and customs. Sharing knowledge and experiences will encourage youth participation and development within the community.
Diana also mentions the challenges faced by indigenous communities in the Peruvian Amazon. Issues such as climate change and pollution pose threats to communities, including access to clean water and possible contamination of their environment. Diana advocates for synergy and collaboration between indigenous communities, scientists and academics. She stresses the need for joint efforts to preserve natural resources and share knowledge. She also emphasizes the importance of community participation, especially the inclusion of women, in decision-making processes. Diana believes in the power of education, both in terms of environmental awareness and the need for comprehensive efforts that focus on the protection of forests and communities.
With dreams of education, preservation and cultural continuity, Shipibo communities invite the world to learn from their wisdom and unite in protecting nature’s sacred gifts. The forest guardians in Callería demonstrate that through thoughtful forest management, economic development can be achieved while preserving the priceless Amazon Rainforest for generations to come.
Nativa Bélgica Community
The sustainable journey of Nativa Bélgica
Another success story in the Peruvian Amazon comes from the Nativa Bélgica Community, located in the department of Madre de Dios, province of Tahuamanu, in the district of Iñapari; on the border between Peru and Brazil, on the right bank of the Acre River. This area stands out for the presence of imposing and diversified forests, its forest nature, the products that the forest provides and the expression of the characteristic fauna that turn the community into an environment of natural delight and interesting cultural scenery.
Photo: FSC International / Maria Pia Rázuri
The Nativa Bélgica community is a community of the Yine group of the Peruvian Amazon culture, and the presence of its forest and landscapes make it a special place to learn about biological richness.
Antonio López Cuchitineli, a 52-year-old resident, reflects on the significant changes his community has experienced over the years and talks about how their approach to forest management has grown over time. In the not-so-distant past, his community faced several challenges. Without adequate infrastructure, the lack of roads made daily life a struggle. Access to basic necessities such as medicine was limited, requiring long motorcycle rides to neighboring villages. Medical care and education were scarce, and the absence of opportunities for economic growth further complicated their situation.
“The turning point for my community came when we realized the importance of securing our land rights for a sustainable future. Together, we overcame challenges, gained recognition and embraced responsible timber harvesting, thriving while safeguarding our precious forest.” In 2011, the community began sustainable forest management.
Photo: FSC International / Maria Pia Rázuri
The benefit of sustainable management
The forest provides vital resources for the community where 41 families currently live. Timber sales serve as a significant source of income. This is an important alternative compared to the past, when the community was engaged in rubber tapping for the production of latex used in tire manufacturing.
By obtaining FSC certification and employing professional engineers to guide their efforts, the community moved into the sale of hardwoods such as mahogany. Sustainable practices ensured that they could benefit from their resources while preserving the forest.
With the income from timber sales, community members invested in their future. Enrique Pacheco, a dedicated forester in Madre de Dios who works with the community, emphasizes the importance of their partnership with the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). “With the FSC guidelines as our compass, we steer our journey towards ecological preservation and responsible resource utilization.Commitment to FSC-certified practices ensures that we protect these important forests and comply with national regulations.”
Photo: FSC International / Maria Pia Rázuri
Coordinated monitoring
Fabio Aspajo González is a dedicated member of the community forestry committee. He explains his vital role in preserving the forest surrounding his remote community. The committee diligently monitors logging activities, ensuring minimal environmental impact. With targeted logging regulations, they have seen significant improvements in forest management. Fabio emphasizes the need to safeguard the forest for future generations, encouraging others to support their cause and witness the wonders of this wildlife sanctuary: “The forest is not just for us; it is also for future generations. We must protect it so that our children and grandchildren can benefit from its beauty and resources.By entering the forest with us, people can witness firsthand how we work toward conservation.I encourage others to support our cause and become stewards of this natural treasure.”
The promotion of FSC certification in timber concessions has significantly improved their competitiveness as they strive to achieve higher sustainability standards and protect wildlife and ecosystems. As a result, the Madre de Dios region has emerged as a leader, with more than 600,000 hectares of FSC-certified forest. Within this forest, the community has implemented two management plans. The first plan focuses on a 20-year logging cycle, allowing for sustainable timber harvesting. This achievement demonstrates the collaborative efforts of the private sector, civil society and authorities to safeguard biodiversity and improve the well-being of local communities.
One of the key aspects of forest management is to create awareness within the community. Enrique Pacheco mentions that sustainable forest management practices have not only protected the forest, but have also improved the quality of life of local communities, ensuring the preservation of their cultural heritage. The success of these activities highlights the importance of collaborative efforts and the integration of social, environmental and economic considerations to achieve long-term sustainability. Antonio emphasizes that, “Education became a priority for us, and our children now have access to schools and opportunities that were scarce in the past. Improvements in economic conditions allowed us to build better homes, cultivate farms and raise livestock, leading to an overall better quality of life.”
Photo: FSC Peru
Enrique’s eyes light up when he talks about his connection to the forest and how it sustains his way of life. The community’s population may be small, but their hearts and spirits are huge, in harmony with nature. He also tells us about the community’s relationship with wildlife. They respect the creatures that roam their territory, and the elusive Otorongo (Jaguar) is one of the majestic animals Enrique observes during his frequent excursions through the forest. He acknowledges that his ancestors’ traditions included hunting, but today they prioritize sustainable practices. The community understands that preserving the balance between humans and wildlife is vital to the long-term prosperity of their home.
Photo: FSC Peru
While embracing modernity and change, community members express concerns about the loss of traditional knowledge within the community. In the past, their ancestors relied on natural remedies for illnesses and had a deep knowledge of the forest ecosystem. Antonio fears that younger generations may not fully understand the value of these traditional practices and urges efforts to preserve this wisdom. Despite the challenges of the past, they remain optimistic about the future. They have plans for reforestation projects and sustainable agricultural practices. The community is also exploring ways to participate in other sectors such as fish farming and ecotourism, seeking to strike a balance between economic growth and ecological preservation.
Lenicia is a young woman who, along with other women in the community, work on an incredible art using local seeds. This work of intricate designs requires patience and dedication. The artisans are not only creators of beautiful handicrafts, but also passionate about preserving the heritage of their community. Their dedication to their craft and desire to pass on their knowledge to future generations shows the depth of their love for their culture.
Photo: FSC Peru
Through their dedication and collaboration with organizations like FSC, the Bélgica Native Community has transformed their once challenging landscape into a thriving forest. By moving forward on the path of progress while safeguarding their traditions, they remind us of the delicate balance between humanity and nature. By embracing ancestral wisdom and integrating modern practices, the community envisions a future where the forest continues to flourish, providing for their families and welcoming visitors.
These stories help us witness the power of indigenous communities to effectively manage their forests while creating sustainable economic opportunities. Their experiences highlight the invaluable role of traditional knowledge, the importance of ancestral connections, and the positive impact of FSC certification in maintaining environmental and social standards. By amplifying these success stories, we hope to inspire greater collaboration, recognition and support for indigenous community-led forest conservation initiatives around the world.
One of the key objectives of FSC’s work is to help local communities obtain FSC certification for their forestry operations.By guiding communities through the certification process and providing ongoing support, FSC has helped them improve their market opportunities and increase the value of their forest resources.However, FSC’s involvement with local communities in Peru goes beyond certification.We recognize the importance of ensuring that communities benefit directly from their forest resources.FSC facilitates the development of value-added initiatives and collaborates with local organizations that provide assistance, for example, in community-based enterprises that enable communities to derive economic benefits from sustainably harvested timber and non-timber products.This approach not only supports local livelihoods, but also fosters long-term stewardship of the forests by the communities that depend on these resources.
New toolkit unlocks accessible support for Indigenous entrepreneurs
We create a toolkit to enhance accessibility and inclusivity in entrepreneurship support for Indigenous entrepreneurs.
FSC-IF
The FSC Indigenous Foundation and Impact Hub have collaborated to create a unique toolkit to enhance accessibility and inclusivity in entrepreneurship support for Indigenous entrepreneurs. This initiative leverages Impact Hub’s expertise and the FSC-IF’s extensive experience working with Indigenous Peoples’ organizations (IPOs).
Bringing together diverse business support organizations, Indigenous businesses, IPOs, and global Impact Hubs, the project co-developed a methodology that ensures an Indigenous perspective for optimal entrepreneurial support. Over seven months, this global Community of Practice created the “Toolkit for Inclusive and Relevant Business Support for Indigenous Entrepreneurs” to provide practical guidance for Entrepreneurship Support Organisations (ESOs) on designing and implementing support programs tailored for Indigenous entrepreneurs.
The cornerstone of the toolkit is the wisdom of diverse Indigenous Peoples who have shared their experiences to inspire new entrepreneurs in their communities. This initiative not only supports the sustainable livelihoods of Indigenous communities but also promotes forest conservation and restoration.
