When Support Arrives On Time: Caring For Life From The Territory
In this reflection, Maglin Reonela Alvarado Vargas, a Yine Indigenous leader from Peru and member of the 2nd cohort of the ICI International Environmental Policy Fellowship, shares how long-term support enabled her community to address mercury contamination from gold mining while strengthening leadership, collective decision-making, and territorial protection.
ICI Video | ICI Presents: When the River Speaks
When the River Speaks follows Maglin, a young Yine mother from Peru’s Madre de Dios, as she carries her community’s voice to the global Minamata Convention to confront mercury contamination threatening Indigenous lives and territories. Supported by the Inclusive Conservation Initiative, Yine communities are strengthening territorial governance, training mercury monitors, and empowering women and youth to advocate for policies that protect their rivers, health, and futures.
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.
My First Journey Beyond the Mountains: The Voice of an Indigenous Fellow on the Global Stage
In this reflection, Luna Larrat, a Mapuche Indigenous leader from Argentina and member of the 2nd cohort of the ICI International Environmental Policy Fellowship, shares her experience participating in the IUCN World Conservation Congress and Indigenous Peoples Summit, reflecting on representing her community in global spaces and the importance of Indigenous leadership in international decision-making.
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.
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.
ICI at COP16: Fostering Inclusive Conservation and advancing Indigenous Rights
At COP16 in Cali, Colombia, Indigenous co-chairs of the Inclusive Conservation Initiative demonstrated Indigenous governance in action, reaching consensus on 15 strategic decisions to guide global conservation. Through direct engagement with the GEF and IIFB, ICI leaders advanced the case for Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities as primary decision-makers in biodiversity finance and policy.
Inclusive Conservation Initiative (ICI) Phase 2 Report: A Focus on Inclusive Finance
The ICI Phase 2 Report highlights how $14.5 million in direct-access agreements are enabling Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities to lead conservation through their own governance systems. Supported by the GEF, the report demonstrates how inclusive finance is transforming biodiversity protection while advancing rights-based, self-determined climate and conservation solutions.
Indigenous Leaders Of ICI Advocate For Inclusion At GEF Assembly
Indigenous leaders from the Inclusive Conservation Initiative (ICI) participated in the GEF Assembly in Vancouver, advocating for inclusive conservation and greater recognition of Indigenous-led initiatives. They highlighted the importance of direct funding, Indigenous governance, and gender equity, while welcoming the launch of the Global Biodiversity Framework Fund (GBFF) to support Indigenous and local communities.
ICI Video | ICI-GEF 1st Global Learning Exchange
The first Inclusive Conservation Initiative Global Learning Exchange was hosted by the Isaak Olam Foundation on the unceded territory of the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation in August 2023, bringing together Indigenous leaders from all ten ICI initiatives and members of the GEF Indigenous Peoples Advisory Group. The gathering included the inaugural meeting of the ICI Global Steering Committee ahead of the 7th GEF Assembly in Vancouver, marking a milestone in Indigenous-led global conservation governance.
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.
ICI events at CBD COP 15
The Inclusive Conservation Initiative (ICI) participated in multiple events at CBD COP 15 in Montreal, including the official launch on December 9, 2022, to promote direct action and funding for Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities. Key sessions highlighted traditional knowledge, human rights, and integrating Indigenous priorities into climate and biodiversity strategies.
ICI is at COP 27!
The Inclusive Conservation Initiative (ICI) participated in COP 27 in Sharm el Sheikh, sharing insights on the power of direct climate finance to support Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities. Key events highlighted inclusive partnerships, translating pledges into action, and strengthening Indigenous leadership for climate and biodiversity solutions.
UNGA 77: Indigenous-led solutions informed by solidarity, sustainability and diverse knowledge systems
At UNGA 77, the Inclusive Conservation Initiative (ICI) highlighted how Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs) provide solutions rooted in solidarity, sustainability, and diverse knowledge systems. From strengthening Indigenous leadership to promoting sustainable development and integrating traditional and scientific knowledge, ICI subprojects demonstrate how IPLCs can lead global conservation and climate action.
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.