Indigenous-led Solutions

Video: PROAmazonia Ecuador

Strengthening Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities Through Targeted Climate Action

UNDP has established a grant mechanism to support Indigenous Peoples and local communities in addressing climate change and promoting sustainable development. These grants fund a range of activities including reforestation, advancing Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise (MSME) development, alternative livelihoods, the protection of Indigenous Peoples’ rights, community forestry, and other community-building initiatives. By providing financial support, the grants enable grassroots organizations to drive holistic, community-centered actions, particularly in alignment with the Agriculture, Forest, and Other Land Uses (AFOLU) sector of the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC).

In 2023-2024, UNDP awarded a total of USD 1,839,187 to 42 grantees across Cambodia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Kenya. These funds were distributed through 51 grants, supporting projects led by, or in partnership with, Indigenous Peoples and local communities. The selection process was transparent and competitive, particularly in Kenya and Cambodia, where demand for support in nature-based solutions and climate resilience was exceptionally high. These four pilot countries, located in tropical forest regions, are highly vulnerable to climate change impacts such as deforestation, biodiversity loss, and extreme weather events. With some of the world's richest ecosystems, Cambodia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Kenya are critical to global climate mitigation efforts. Indigenous Peoples and local communities living in these areas possess traditional knowledge essential for adapting to climate challenges and managing natural resources sustainably.

Photo: UNDP Cambodia/Thida Prak

Each country faces distinct environmental challenges – deforestation in Colombia and Ecuador, land degradation in Kenya, and forest management issues in Cambodia. Supporting localized solutions led by Indigenous Peoples and local communities can significantly contribute to global climate goals. These communities have a unique relationship with their environment, making them key players in conservation and climate adaptation. UNDP's efforts are aligned with the national climate commitments of these countries under the Paris Agreement, further enhancing their capacity to achieve climate resilience and sustainability.

Grant Achievements: January 2023 - June 2024

UNDP-supported grants have enabled significant strides in climate action and community development across Colombia, Ecuador, Cambodia and Kenya, contributing to local resilience and environmental sustainability.

Colombia

In the first phase, 10,596 trees and plants were successfully cultivated, with ongoing efforts in seedling production. Capacity-building programs on reforestation, seed production, and traditional fishing trained 138 women and 105 youth, fostering greater community involvement in sustainable practices.

Kenya

The Paran Women’s Group, alongside member organizations, planted 139,030 indigenous and fruit trees in farms and the Mau forest. The group also presented its work at the global stage during the UNFCCC COP28 in Dubai, earning the UNFCCC Women and Gender Constituency Award. Additional efforts saw the planting of 42,450 tree seedlings across farms, forests, community lands, and schools, including 1,000 mangrove seedlings. Three hectares of invasive species were cleared, and training programs on nursery management, sustainable land management, and forest conservation reached over 1,200 farmers and 255 community members.

Video: PROAmazonia Ecuador

Ecuador

Park rangers—50 percent of whom are women—are currently monitoring 5,283 hectares of forest. The installation of 30 water systems and one drinking water system has improved access to clean water, while nine nurseries were established to support reforestation. Eleven community statutes were revised to incorporate climate change, gender, and youth considerations. Environmental education programs benefited 500 youth, and 25 women received training in traditional medicine.

Cambodia

In Cambodia, grantees have initiated various capacity-building activities focusing on critical areas such as forest management, agroforestry, land dispute resolution, Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC), and customary law. Ten Indigenous villages in the provinces of Preash Vihear and Kampong Thom are actively pursuing legal recognition as Indigenous communities. Meanwhile, other communities have taken steps to protect their forests, having procured 223 concrete poles and 10,000 acacia saplings for the demarcation of community forest boundaries.

These accomplishments reflect the power of local leadership in driving climate solutions and protecting ecosystems.