Grantee Highlight
The First Indigenous Peoples Led Conservation Congress
Image Credit: IMPACT Kenya
In 2023, Global Greengrants awarded more than $6.6M to 564 groups in 73 countries who are defending Indigenous rights and connections to land.
As part of our commitment to Indigenous organizing, Global Greengrants supported a critical new Indigenous Peoples movement in Africa: the Alliance for Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities for Conservation in Africa (AICA). The alliance, which formed in 2023, includes approximately 40 Indigenous Peoples' organizations from 30 African countries working together to advocate for conservation efforts that recognize Indigenous Peoples as custodians of ecosystems. As part of AICA, Global Greengrants grantee partner IMPACT Kenya played a leading role in organizing the First Indigenous Peoples Led Conservation Congress, and used Global Greengrants funding to support Indigenous leaders' attendance at the meeting.
While conservation efforts like the creation of wildlife reserves intend to protect biodiversity, often they lack meaningful consultation with the Indigenous Peoples who already live on the land. This has resulted in displacement and disconnection from ancestral lands for many, and in some cases like those of the Maasai in Tanzania and the Ogiek people in Kenya, has resulted in violent land grabs. Meanwhile, studies have shown that Indigenous peoples are often the best stewards of land and biodiversity, even more so than government-created wildlife reserves.
Image Credit: IMPACT Kenya
In light of this, in October 2023, AICA held the first Indigenous-led Conservation Congress in Namibia, themed "We are nature and nature is us." More than 400 delegates from 10 governments and 41 African countries gathered to showcase community conservation practices and associated knowledge systems. Participants drafted several recommendations highlighting the importance of meaningfully including Indigenous Peoples in conservation efforts and the crucial link between land and human rights. These recommendations will steer the next congress, scheduled for 2025 in Ethiopia.
"The congress is the first step for IPs [Indigenous Peoples] and LCs [Local Communities] to mobilise and consolidate their voices to speak about their suffering and to push back on bad policies that indignify them as peoples."
- Mali Ole Kaunga, Founder and Director of IMPACT Kenya
Image Credit: IMPACT Kenya
The conference marked a key moment, fostering unity and interdependence among Indigenous Peoples throughout Africa. Spaces for exchanging wisdom and experiences and standing up for rights are vital. Funders must back these initiatives, as true environmental justice hinges on their existence.