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.
Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities, Gender and Biodiversity Linkages
In this self-paced course, you will explore the connections between gender and biodiversity and learn practical tools to develop gender-responsive approaches and policies for Indigenous Peoples and local communities, aligning with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
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 Video | the Inclusive Conservation Initiative
This video introduces the GEF-7 Inclusive Conservation Initiative, a new model providing large-scale, long-term direct financing to Indigenous and local community organizations to drive environmental, cultural, and economic impact. Representatives from nine initiatives across 12 countries share how this approach is strengthening Indigenous leadership and transforming conservation from the ground up.
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.
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.
International Day for Biological Diversity 2023: From agreement to action: Building back biodiversity through inclusive conservation
On International Day for Biological Diversity 2023, the Inclusive Conservation Initiative (ICI) highlights how Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities are leading efforts to protect and restore biodiversity across Thailand, Chile, Argentina, and Tanzania. From safeguarding forests, watersheds, and sacred trees to securing ancestral lands, ICI-supported communities are applying traditional knowledge and rights-based approaches to sustain ecosystems and livelihoods.
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.
ICI Video | the Inclusive Conservation Initiative at CBD COP15
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.
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.
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.