Episode Two | Indigenous Women Redefining Science
In this episode of ICI’s Indigenous Women Redefining Science series, Esther Ngalula of ANAPAC (Democratic Republic of Congo) shares how Indigenous Batwa women are combining ancestral knowledge with tools like participatory mapping and GPS to protect biodiversity and strengthen leadership.
ICI Video | Lighting the Path with Indigenous Knowledge
2025 marks a defining year for Indigenous leadership in global environmental policy. Hear from Indigenous leaders of the Inclusive Conservation Initiative (ICI) on how Indigenous Knowledge is lighting the policy path -- from Abu Dhabi, to COP6 for the Minamata Convention, and to UNFCCC COP30 in Belém.
ICI Report | Inclusive Conservation Initiative Phase 3 Report – Walking the Talk: How Inclusive Conservation is Delivering Results
Phase 3 marks ICI’s transition from design to delivery, with Indigenous-led organizations across 12 countries directly managing conservation efforts at scale. The report highlights how Indigenous governance, gender-responsive systems, and culturally grounded monitoring are now shaping national policies and global agendas—offering a replicable model for rights-based, community-led conservation that works. With direct access to finance and decision-making power, they advanced land rights, governance, gender equity, and policy influence—proving that Indigenous-led action is critical to effective, scalable conservation.
We are not beneficiaries of conservation efforts – we are partners
On International Mother Earth Day, Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities across ten geographies are demonstrating that they are not beneficiaries of conservation, but equal partners shaping biodiversity action through scaled, direct finance. From biocultural mapping to landmark co-governance agreements, the Inclusive Conservation Initiative shows how Indigenous leadership is redefining conservation worldwide.
COP16: Advancing Indigenous Leadership and Inclusive Conservation
At CBD COP16, Indigenous leaders from the Democratic Republic of Congo showcased how direct access to biodiversity finance, legal recognition of ICCAs, and traditional governance are transforming conservation outcomes. Through ANAPAC and the Inclusive Conservation Initiative, IPLCs are advancing women’s leadership, securing territories of life, and shaping global biodiversity policy.
A Journey of Learning and Unity: Reflections from Our Inclusive Conservation Initiative Africa Learning Exchange in Tanzania
The ICI Africa Regional Learning Exchange in Tanzania brought together 37 Indigenous and local community leaders from across Africa to strengthen capacity, share solutions, and advance Indigenous-led conservation under the GEF-funded Inclusive Conservation Initiative. Through workshops, fellow case studies, and immersive visits to the Yaeda Valley and Hadzabe communities, participants demonstrated how secure land tenure, governance, and cultural knowledge drive lasting biodiversity outcomes.
ICI Report | Inclusive Conservation Initiative (ICI) Phase Two Report: A Focus on Inclusive Finance
The Inclusive Conservation Initiative (ICI) Phase 2 Report provides a comprehensive overview of the progress made towards inclusive conservation practices and the implementation of Indigenous Peoples (IPs) and Local Communities (LCs)-led initiatives over the past year. Supported by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), this initiative highlights the leadership of IPs and LCs in conservation efforts and the delivery of global environmental benefits (GEBs).
ICI kicks off International Environmental Policy Fellow Program
The Inclusive Conservation Initiative (ICI) has launched its International Environmental Policy Fellow Program, empowering Indigenous leaders from Tanzania, Panama, Chile, DRC, and Kenya to strengthen leadership and negotiation skills in global environmental policy. Fellows will apply their knowledge to advance Indigenous-led conservation, gender equity, and community-driven governance in their territories.
First phase of ICI implementation highlights importance of Indigenous-led conservation and need for increased funding
The Inclusive Conservation Initiative (ICI) Phase One Report showcases the first phase of Indigenous-led conservation efforts, demonstrating their effectiveness in protecting 7.6 million hectares of biodiverse landscapes. The report emphasizes the need for increased funding and adaptive finance mechanisms to support Indigenous Peoples and local communities in stewarding lands, waters, and natural resources globally.
ICI Report | Inclusive Conservation Initiative (ICI) Phase One Report: Spearheading Inclusive Conservation
On 09 August 2023 (International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples), the Inclusive Conservation Initiative released its Phase One Report, summarizing the first phase of its implementation, from ideation in December 2019 to implementation status in mid-2023.
Earth Day 2023: Inclusive conservation invests in Indigenous and local women
On Earth Day 2023, the Inclusive Conservation Initiative (ICI) highlights how Indigenous and local women are leading natural resource management and conservation across the DRC, Nepal, and Meso-America. By strengthening governance, technical skills, and intergenerational knowledge transfer, ICI invests in women as key actors in sustainable, culturally grounded environmental stewardship.
International Women’s Day 2023: Celebrating Indigenous women leaders in inclusive conservation
On International Women’s Day 2023, the Inclusive Conservation Initiative (ICI) celebrates Indigenous and local women as essential stewards of natural resources and biodiversity across Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, and Meso-America. Through leadership roles, knowledge-sharing, and participation in decision-making, ICI empowers these women to drive inclusive conservation and strengthen community resilience.
World Wildlife Day 2023: Inclusive conservation partnering to protect the incalculable value of wild fauna and flora
On World Wildlife Day 2023, the Inclusive Conservation Initiative (ICI) highlights Indigenous and local communities as custodians of wildlife and plant species across Africa, Asia, and the Americas. Through traditional knowledge, community-led management, and legal protection of lands, ICI supports the preservation of endangered and culturally significant species such as the araucaria, tapir, ostrich, pangolin, elephant, gibbon, and kopeka.
The first year of the Inclusive Conservation Initiative (ICI): Kicking off a global paradigm shift, together
In its first year, the Inclusive Conservation Initiative (ICI) launched nine subprojects across 12 countries to empower Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities as leaders in conservation and decision-making. By promoting Indigenous governance, gender equality, and direct access to climate and biodiversity finance, ICI is building a global movement for inclusive, culturally grounded, and impactful environmental stewardship.
Brief | Global Biodiversity Framework Through Working with Indigenous People and Local Communities
In 2022, Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) adopted the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), committing to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030. The GBF recognizes the vital role, contributions, and rights of IPLCs in the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of biodiversity.
Indigenous women help nature thrive
On the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, the Inclusive Conservation Initiative (ICI) celebrates Indigenous women as vital custodians of biodiversity and traditional knowledge across Africa, Asia, and the Americas. From seed conservation and sacred forest protection to community health and climate resilience, these leaders demonstrate how women’s knowledge sustains ecosystems and strengthens Indigenous governance.
ICI Report | GEF-7 Inclusive Conservation Initiative Inception Workshops Report
The implementation of the GEF-7 Inclusive Conservation Initiative (ICI) began on February 21, 2022 through an inception phase composed of a series of virtual workshops held from February 21 to April 07, 2022. The ICI Project Management Unit (PMU) produced an inception report documenting all key highlights, activities, and decisions of the inception phase.
Indigenous stewardship of nature can revitalize our globe — investing in IPs and LCs-led solutions means investing in our planet
The Inclusive Conservation Initiative (ICI) is channeling USD 25 million in direct financing to Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities to transform conservation through locally led governance, traditional knowledge, and sustainable livelihoods. From the Himalayas to the Andean Cordillera and the African rangelands, these Indigenous-led solutions demonstrate that investing in IPLC leadership is one of the most effective pathways to protect biodiversity and address the climate crisis.