Episode Four | Nittaya Earkanna: Ancestral Knowledge Is Science

Episode Four | Nittaya Earkanna: Ancestral Knowledge Is Science

In the second part of this episode, Nittaya “Mee” Earkanna reflects on intergenerational knowledge, barriers Indigenous women face in accessing leadership and funding, and the role of Indigenous women in shaping more inclusive futures for conservation.

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Episode Three, Part One | Nittaya Earkanna: Education, Equality, and Cultural Survival
Episode Two | Indigenous Women Redefining Science

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.

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Episode One | Indigenous Women Redefining Science

Episode One | Indigenous Women Redefining Science

Part of ICI’s podcast series Indigenous Women Redefining Science, this episode takes listeners to the Peruvian Amazon, where Eva Mambiro, an Indigenous nurse and researcher from FENAMAD, shares how ancestral knowledge informs community health, nutrition, and care, demonstrating how science exists in forests, communities, and lived experience.

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Learning, Leading, and Giving Back: My Journey as an ICI Fellow

Learning, Leading, and Giving Back: My Journey as an ICI Fellow

In this reflection, Krizzley Ordoñez, a Maya Mam Indigenous leader from Guatemala and member of the 2nd cohort of the ICI International Environmental Policy Fellowship, shares how the fellowship strengthened her leadership and expanded community participation—particularly among youth and women—as she concludes her fellowship journey.

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When Support Arrives On Time: Caring For Life From The Territory

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.

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ICI Report | Inclusive Conservation Initiative Phase 3 Report – Walking the Talk: How Inclusive Conservation is Delivering Results
Geographies: Futa Mawiza Biocultural Territory, Geographies: Southwest Amazon, Geographies: Ru K’ux Abya Yala, Geographies: Annapurna Area, Geographies: Ewaso Ng’iro River Basin, Geographies: Thailand, Geographies: Fiji Lau Seascape and Cook Islands, Geographies: Northern Tanzania, Geographies: DR Congo, Geographies: Global, Makanisi: ICI Fellows, Makanisi: Modules, Makanisi: Exchanges, Makanisi: External Community of Practice, Inclusion: Gender Equality, Inclusion: Youth Empowerment and Leadership, Global Applications: Replication & Global Influence, Global Applications: Largescale Finance, Indigenous Centered Approaches: Indigenous Governance, Indigenous Centered Approaches: Livelihoods and Indigenous Economies, Indigenous Centered Approaches: Indigenous and Traditional Knowledge, Indigenous Centered Approaches: Territorial Management and Planning, Global Applications: Environmental Outcomes, Type: Annual Report Jamie Wen Geographies: Futa Mawiza Biocultural Territory, Geographies: Southwest Amazon, Geographies: Ru K’ux Abya Yala, Geographies: Annapurna Area, Geographies: Ewaso Ng’iro River Basin, Geographies: Thailand, Geographies: Fiji Lau Seascape and Cook Islands, Geographies: Northern Tanzania, Geographies: DR Congo, Geographies: Global, Makanisi: ICI Fellows, Makanisi: Modules, Makanisi: Exchanges, Makanisi: External Community of Practice, Inclusion: Gender Equality, Inclusion: Youth Empowerment and Leadership, Global Applications: Replication & Global Influence, Global Applications: Largescale Finance, Indigenous Centered Approaches: Indigenous Governance, Indigenous Centered Approaches: Livelihoods and Indigenous Economies, Indigenous Centered Approaches: Indigenous and Traditional Knowledge, Indigenous Centered Approaches: Territorial Management and Planning, Global Applications: Environmental Outcomes, Type: Annual Report Jamie Wen

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.

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COP16: Advancing Indigenous Leadership and Inclusive 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.

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Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities, Gender and Biodiversity Linkages
Inclusive Conservation Initiative (ICI) Phase 2 Report: A Focus on Inclusive Finance

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.

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ICI Report | Inclusive Conservation Initiative (ICI) Phase Two Report: A Focus on Inclusive Finance

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).

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Indigenous Leaders Of ICI Advocate For Inclusion At GEF Assembly

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.

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First phase of ICI implementation highlights importance of Indigenous-led conservation and need for increased funding
Geographies: Futa Mawiza Biocultural Territory, Geographies: Southwest Amazon, Geographies: Ru K’ux Abya Yala, Geographies: Annapurna Area, Geographies: Ewaso Ng’iro River Basin, Geographies: Thailand, Geographies: Fiji Lau Seascape and Cook Islands, Geographies: Northern Tanzania, Geographies: DR Congo, Geographies: Global, Makanisi: Exchanges, Makanisi: Global Steering Committee, Inclusion: Gender Equality, Inclusion: Youth Empowerment and Leadership, Global Applications: Replication & Global Influence, Global Applications: Largescale Finance, Global Applications: Environmental Outcomes, Indigenous Centered Approaches: Indigenous Governance, Indigenous Centered Approaches: Livelihoods and Indigenous Economies, Indigenous Centered Approaches: Indigenous and Traditional Knowledge, Indigenous Centered Approaches: Territorial Management and Planning, Type: Web Story Jamie Wen Geographies: Futa Mawiza Biocultural Territory, Geographies: Southwest Amazon, Geographies: Ru K’ux Abya Yala, Geographies: Annapurna Area, Geographies: Ewaso Ng’iro River Basin, Geographies: Thailand, Geographies: Fiji Lau Seascape and Cook Islands, Geographies: Northern Tanzania, Geographies: DR Congo, Geographies: Global, Makanisi: Exchanges, Makanisi: Global Steering Committee, Inclusion: Gender Equality, Inclusion: Youth Empowerment and Leadership, Global Applications: Replication & Global Influence, Global Applications: Largescale Finance, Global Applications: Environmental Outcomes, Indigenous Centered Approaches: Indigenous Governance, Indigenous Centered Approaches: Livelihoods and Indigenous Economies, Indigenous Centered Approaches: Indigenous and Traditional Knowledge, Indigenous Centered Approaches: Territorial Management and Planning, Type: Web Story Jamie Wen

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.

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ICI Report | Inclusive Conservation Initiative (ICI) Phase One Report: Spearheading Inclusive Conservation
Geographies: Futa Mawiza Biocultural Territory, Geographies: Southwest Amazon, Geographies: Annapurna Area, Geographies: DR Congo, Geographies: Ewaso Ng’iro River Basin, Geographies: Fiji Lau Seascape and Cook Islands, Geographies: Global, Geographies: Northern Tanzania, Geographies: Ru K’ux Abya Yala, Geographies: Thailand, Global Applications: Environmental Outcomes, Global Applications: Largescale Finance, Global Applications: Replication & Global Influence, Inclusion: Gender Equality, Inclusion: Youth Empowerment and Leadership, Makanisi: Exchanges, Makanisi: Global Steering Committee, Indigenous Centered Approaches: Indigenous Governance, Indigenous Centered Approaches: Livelihoods and Indigenous Economies, Indigenous Centered Approaches: Indigenous and Traditional Knowledge, Indigenous Centered Approaches: Territorial Management and Planning, Type: Annual Report Jamie Wen Geographies: Futa Mawiza Biocultural Territory, Geographies: Southwest Amazon, Geographies: Annapurna Area, Geographies: DR Congo, Geographies: Ewaso Ng’iro River Basin, Geographies: Fiji Lau Seascape and Cook Islands, Geographies: Global, Geographies: Northern Tanzania, Geographies: Ru K’ux Abya Yala, Geographies: Thailand, Global Applications: Environmental Outcomes, Global Applications: Largescale Finance, Global Applications: Replication & Global Influence, Inclusion: Gender Equality, Inclusion: Youth Empowerment and Leadership, Makanisi: Exchanges, Makanisi: Global Steering Committee, Indigenous Centered Approaches: Indigenous Governance, Indigenous Centered Approaches: Livelihoods and Indigenous Economies, Indigenous Centered Approaches: Indigenous and Traditional Knowledge, Indigenous Centered Approaches: Territorial Management and Planning, Type: Annual Report Jamie Wen

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.

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World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought 2023: Her Land. Her Rights.

World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought 2023: Her Land. Her Rights.

On this World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, the theme Her Land. Her Rights highlights the critical role of women in Indigenous communities and their heightened vulnerability to land degradation and water scarcity. Paine Makko of the Ujamaa Community Resource Team reflects on women’s leadership and resilience in her Maasai community, emphasizing the importance of supporting their rights and stewardship.

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Earth Day 2023: Inclusive conservation invests in Indigenous and local women
International Women’s Day 2023: Celebrating Indigenous women leaders in inclusive conservation
Indigenous women help nature thrive

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.

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ICI Report | GEF-7 Inclusive Conservation Initiative Inception Workshops Report

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.

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