Makanisi
Learning Academy
Harnessing knowledge together
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Harnessing knowledge together +
About Makanisi
Makanisi is the learning and knowledge heartbeat of the Inclusive Conservation Initiative (ICI), designed to produce and provide access to technical and organizational resources to both the IP and LC organizations of ICI as well as the broader global IP and LC community. It serves as a culturally appropriate, cross-cutting virtual learning center, where IPs and LCs can access knowledge materials, tools, training modules, and links to related platforms.
Makanisi curates and shares resources developed by IP and LC organizations with expertise in capacity building, ensuring that knowledge remains rooted in Indigenous and local perspectives while supporting learning and collaboration.
The Makanisi Identity
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The Makanisi Identity *
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Makanisi is a Lingala word derived from the verb ko kanisa, meaning “to think.” It encompasses a broad spectrum of meanings — reflection, vision, wisdom, memory, and planning— and represents the transmission of knowledge across generations. For IPs and LCs, Makanisi symbolizes a living library of traditional knowledge, ancestral memory, and spiritual imagination.
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The Makanisi Logo was designed by Wolotech. It was co-created through a participatory design workshop with ICI partner ANAPAC and local artists. The tree represents rooted traditions, wisdom, and growth, while the circle symbolizes unity, continuity, and collective learning. The design was selected and approved by ICI’s Global Steering Committee to represent ICI’s learning and capacity development priorities and activities.
Makanisi Communities of Practice
Communities and resources
Communities and resources
The Global Steering Committee leads the project's governance and is composed of senior IP and LC representatives nominated by the Indigenous leaders executing ICI activities in each geography. It is supported by a GEF Secretariat staff member and two representatives from the Project Management Unit (PMU). The Global Indigenous Steering Committee drives decision-making for the ICI Community of Practice (among other ICI decisions).
ICI Global Steering Committee
The ICI Project Management Unit, jointly led by Conservation International and IUCN, adapts institutional systems to support rights-based, direct financing for Indigenous-led conservation. It also serves as the Friends of ICI secretariat, coordinating communications, events, and resources across the community.
ICI Project Management Unit
ICI hosts an annual Global Learning Exchange, drawing in participants from ICI and its friends and partners from around the globe ahead of major global environmental policy events. Together, participants strategize and prepare for global policy advocacy while sharing lessons learned at the global level.
ICI Global Learning Exchanges
Throughout the year, ICI hosts Regional Learning Exchanges to bring ICI’s Indigenous leaders together to share experiences, challenges, opportunities, and scale lessons learned — building localized communities and alliances for action.
ICI Regional Learning Exchanges
Since its inception, the Inclusive Conservation Initiative has elevated the voices of Indigenous Peoples, women, and youth in global environmental decision-making. Building on this mission, ICI launched the International Environmental Policy Fellowship in February 2024 to equip Indigenous leaders with the leadership, advocacy, and negotiation skills needed to influence policies affecting their lands and livelihoods.
ICI International Policy Fellows
ICI Makanisi Learning Academy Courses
ICI strengthens the capacity of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPs and LCs) organizations to access, manage, and implement large-scale conservation finance. Based on organizational needs assessments and partner inputs, six priority topics were approved by ICI’s Global Steering Committee and developed into self-paced learning modules that form the core of the Makanisi Academy curriculum. Co-created with IP and LC leaders, these open-access modules are hosted on the UNDP Learning for Nature platform to support IP and LC organizations worldwide.
Friends of ICI are external communities of practice, networks, and platforms that help amplify learning, co-create tools, and scale impact. Partners such as the GEF and its Indigenous Peoples Advisory Group, Indigenous networks including IIFB and FILAC, and the UNDP Learning for Nature platform collaborate with ICI to validate approaches, develop resources like the Makanisi Academy modules, and make learning widely accessible. Interested in joining? Contact us today!
Friends of ICI
Friends of ICI
Supporters are part of ICI’s global listserv of over 1,000 stakeholders who follow IP and LC priorities and rights in scaling biodiversity finance. They receive ICI updates, access resources, and engage in Community of Practice events and trainings to strengthen their support for direct IP and LC access to conservation finance. You can join by subscribing:
ICI Community
Recent community newsletters
March 8th 2026 | International Women's Day and the start of CSW
February 11th 2026 | International Day of Women and Girls in Science
December 10th 2025 | International Human Rights Day: A river at risk. A mother who won’t look away.
November 6th 2025 | The 2025 Policy Roadmap: Lighting the Path with Indigenous Knowledge