Panama-Mexico Community of Practice

Exchange among Indigenous Peoples and the Development of Nature-Based Economic Models

FSC IF

April 2026, Ixtlán de Juárez, Oaxaca, Mexico

On April 1 and 2, 2026, a delegation of Indigenous Peoples from the Darién region of Panama visited Ixtlán de Juárez, in the Sierra Norte of Oaxaca, as part of the “Panama – Mexico,” a platform for exchange promoted by the FSC Indigenous Foundation (FSC-IF) with support from the Inter-American Development Bank Group’s innovation lab.

The delegation was composed of representatives from the communities of Alto Playón, Puerto Lara, Arimae, and Emberá Puru, belonging to the Emberá and Wounaan peoples, who engaged in direct dialogue with community leaders from the Zapotec community of Ixtlán de Juárez, accompanied by the project’s technical team and FSC Mexico.

This exchange is part of the project “Boosting Indigenous Nature-Based Business Models”, an initiative led by the FSC Indigenous Foundation and co-financed by IDB Lab, which supports indigenous communities in building their own economies based on their relationship with the land.

Through this process, communities in the Darién region are exploring how to transform their knowledge, practices, and forms of organization into economic models that generate income without disrupting the balance with nature, and identifying mechanisms that allow them to recognize and communicate the cultural, social, and environmental value of their products and services.

Learning among communities, such as that experienced in Ixtlán de Juárez, thus becomes a key tool for identifying their own paths to development while simultaneously strengthening community governance and the capacity to make long-term decisions.

Governance and Community Vision

In Ixtlán de Juárez, the forest is central to community life. Its management is underpinned by an assembly-based governance structure, where decisions are guided by a long-term collective vision. This model is strengthened through FSC-certified forest management, which has helped establish clear criteria for forest management and consolidate responsible management practices.

During the exchange, the Commissioner of Communal Assets, Amado Maurilio Méndez Pacheco, shared some of the principles that have helped consolidate this model:

“We often want to see quick results, but community processes are long-term. A business needs time to mature. Here we have learned to organize ourselves, to reinvest, and to be clear about where we want to go as a community.”

More than isolated initiatives, the enterprises, forest management, and social organization are part of a single system that serves the community’s well-being.

Beyond the Forest: Community-Owned Businesses

One of the main focuses of the visit was to learn about the network of community-owned businesses that Ixtlán has developed within its territory.

The delegation visited various productive initiatives created and managed by the community itself, including the sawmill, the furniture factory, the purified water bottling plant, and the Ecoturixtlán ecotourism park, where they also stayed.

*Tour of the sawmill and bottling plant*

Among the sites visited, the Glass observation deck stood out as one of the highest observation decks of its kind in Latin America and a flagship example of the community-based tourism model. Its development has generated jobs and income not only for Ixtlán but also for neighboring communities that are part of the tourism value chain.

The Juguetearte Capulálpam initiative also participated; it crafts toys from wood waste from the forest. This model particularly caught the participants’ attention, as it demonstrated how materials not used in industrial processes can be utilized to generate economic value while simultaneously contributing to forest conservation.

Community Economy and Decision-Making

The exchange provided insight into how the community organizes and distributes the benefits of its economic activities.

In Ixtlán, income is not allocated solely for individual distribution. A portion goes toward social provision, another toward reinvestment in the forest and the enterprises, and only a fraction is distributed directly.

In the words of César Canseco, Chief Operating Officer of Ecoturixtlán

“Ixtlán isn’t looking to make a fortune from its businesses, but rather to create jobs. This allows young people to stay and find opportunities within the community. In the past, many wanted to become forest engineers because it was the main source of livelihood; today, they’re also seeking training in tourism, management, and other fields.”

This model is based on a logic of long-term sustainability, where economic development is built without compromising the land.

Likewise, the importance of having technical support to strengthen the management of community-owned businesses and ensure their long-term viability was emphasized.

Field-Based Learning

The activities included tours of the mesophilic mountain forest, as well as visits to local agricultural and tourism projects.

During these sessions, Alina Santiago, a Zapotec indigenous leader from Ixtlán de Juárez, played a key role in presenting the community model. Together with Alejandro Reynosa of FSC Mexico, they presented the FSC forest management certification and addressed the delegation’s questions, particularly regarding how this tool can strengthen forest management and help diversify income sources for indigenous communities.

Beyond the technical content, the gathering included ceremonies, cultural expressions, and opportunities for dialogue that reflect the deep connection between territory, identity, and community.

The delegation from the Emberá and Wounaan peoples shared with great interest and admiration the impact they felt upon learning about the work carried out by their Zapotec brothers and sisters. They expressed their enthusiasm upon observing the results of a process built over 60 years, as well as the growth achieved and the development of productive initiatives with a high level of organization. They particularly highlighted the way in which they have managed to sustainably utilize forest resources, while keeping the forest strong, healthy, and protected.

Luviana Chamapuro, president of the Indigenous organization Oropéndolas, shared this enthusiasm:

“I’m going back to my community very happy because I can share this; that’s why I came: to see and share with my community. Tourism is important, and welcoming tourists is important; we are artisans, we can offer good products and good service, and I will be sharing this with the group that welcomes tourists. They’ve accomplished these great projects they’re working on, and it’s not easy; it took many years, but they did it, and I’m speechless.”

Chief Aulina Ismare Opua, chief of the Wounaan People’s General Congress, also shared:

“The environmental aspect: I’m surprised to see land-use planning within the hectares. In Panama, some communities have it; we just need to harness the technical potential and add value. It helps us tell the government that we don’t just want to have it for the sake of having it, but that we want to decide how to care for it, and this also helps the development of the population and the government itself.”

*Part of the delegation: The Emberá and Wounaan Peoples*

Diversification and Ecosystem Services

One of the key topics of the exchange was income diversification through ecosystem services, particularly given the interest of Panamanian communities in identifying new economic opportunities beyond timber harvesting.

As Alina Santiago noted:“There are other products derived from the forest: water, handicrafts, biodiversity, carbon credits. There are seven ecosystem services managed by the FSC.”

This approach highlighted how forest benefits can be translated into business models that do not rely solely on timber, opening opportunities for communities that, due to their geographical conditions, do not have large forest areas.

In this regard, FSC-certified forest management was presented as a tool that strengthens community organization, facilitates better forest management, allows for the identification of economic diversification opportunities, and opens up possibilities for accessing new markets, including mechanisms such as the carbon market.

A Dialogue Among Territories

The experience in Ixtlán de Juárez offers insights that can be adapted to different contexts, recognizing that each territory has its own unique conditions, but also that there are common principles in the development of sustainable community models.

From the Sierra Norte of Oaxaca to the Panamanian Darién, the forest remains a meeting place, where sustainability is not an abstract concept, but a practice built by the community.

Panama Delegation, FSC-IF, and FSC Mexico

Indigenous Forest Stewardship in Asia

Navigating FSC Certification in Asia

FSC IF

March, 2026

From March 21 to 22, the FSC Indigenous Foundation organized the “Indigenous Forest Stewardship: Navigating FSC Certification in Asia” meeting. A diverse group of Indigenous leaders, FSC-IF and FSC representatives, and regional stakeholders gathered in Chiang Mai, Thailand, for a critical dialogue on the future of forest governance in Asia. What emerged was not just a technical discussion about certification systems, but a powerful reflection on rights, resilience, and the lived realities of Indigenous Peoples navigating restrictive state policies and corporate pressures.

From the beginning, participants made one thing clear: Forest certification cannot be separated from the broader context of Indigenous rights. Across Asia, Indigenous Peoples continue to face shrinking access to their ancestral lands, restrictive state policies, and competing economic pressures.

The Tension Between Standards and Reality

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) positions itself as a global leader in responsible forest management, with over 117 million hectares certified worldwide. Furthermore, FSC has 10 principles and three are most relevant to Indigenous Peoples:

Principle 2: maintain or improve the social and economic well-being of workers;

Principle 3: uphold the rights of Indigenous Peoples

Principle 9: maintain or improve high conservation values; including cultural and spiritual sites.

These principles provide formal entry points for advancing Indigenous rights within the FSC system. Yet, the dialogue revealed a persistent gap between these commitments and their implementation on the ground.

A pressing concern was raised around FPIC. For many Indigenous participants, FPIC is not merely a procedural step but a fundamental expression of self-determination. Stories shared during the gathering illustrated how, in practice, communities are often consulted too late, or not at all, while decisions about their lands move forward. The fear is that ongoing revisions to FSC standards could weaken FPIC, turning a substantive right into a checkbox exercise.

Mr. Nicolas Mujah, FSC-IF Council member, also mentioned how communities can engage in grievance procedures to challenge violations:

“FPIC is important to integrate into FSC. In FSC, there’s a remedy framework: if you feel you have been criminalized, you can start with the complaint mechanism.”

Participants agreed that FSC and similar certification mechanisms must provide transparent and effective complaint and remedy processes. Complaint mechanisms can be anonymized to protect human rights defenders, but systemic support and follow-up are missing, undermining accountability.

Structural Barriers to Participation

A central theme of the dialogue was participation: who gets to shape the rules.

FSC’s governance structure, built around economic, social, and environmental chambers, is designed to balance interests. However, participants highlighted significant barriers for Indigenous Peoples. Membership fees, technical complexity, limited voting power, and uneven access to these mechanisms, all restrict meaningful engagement. For many forest-dependent communities, simply navigating the system can be overwhelming, especially for Indigenous communities with limited resources and adequate support.

However, despite these challenges, several engagement mechanisms were highlighted by Jacki Yeung, FSC Membership Manager for Asia Pacific:

Participation in General Assembly motions and voting processes

Involvement in chamber discussions and working groups

Engagement in consultations and policy development platforms

Participants emphasised that while individual membership may appear limited, collective organizing within chambers can strengthen Indigenous influence.

A Path Forward, Reform and Collaboration

Despite the challenges, the tone of the gathering was not one of resignation, but of cautious determination.

Participants called for concrete reforms within FSC recognizing that current structures are insufficient to protect Indigenous rights, including reducing barriers to membership, strengthening Indigenous representation, and ensuring that standards are consistently enforced. There was also a strong emphasis on collective action, organizing within chambers, building regional networks, and developing shared messages for global platforms.

On the last day of the dialogue, the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights were highlighted as a complementary tool, particularly in strengthening accountability and access to remedies. As mandatory due diligence laws begin to emerge in several countries, there is growing potential to align certification systems with broader legal frameworks.

Conclusion, From Participation to Power

The gathering underscored a critical moment for forest governance in Asia. FSC and similar systems hold significant potential, but their legitimacy depends on their ability to deliver on their promises.

For Indigenous Peoples, the question is not whether to engage, but how to transform these systems so they truly reflect their rights, knowledge, and leadership.

Overall, the gathering was eye opening and created a space for critical reflections, with participants expressing appreciation for the opportunity to share experiences and challenge existing systems.

“I learned a lot about FSC and PIPC. Thank you for the learning exchange; understanding each other’s challenges and experiences made it truly meaningful and successful. I also hope there will be more youth involvement.”

– Naomi Be-ilan, Indigenous Youth, Ikalahan, Philippines

David Flood appointed as new chair of the FSC Permanent Indigenous Peoples Committee

FSC PIPC New Chairperson

FSC IF

It is our pleasure to announce the election of David Flood, PIPC Representative for North America, Canada, as Chairperson of the FSC Permanent Indigenous Peoples Committee for the period of 2 years from 2026 – 2028.

The role of the PIPC is to be a global advisory committee to advise the FSC International Board on the FSC certification system, safeguard Indigenous Peoples’ rights, enhance forest management, and support Indigenous Peoples in building FSC certified forest stewardship, increasing their market share and value.

As part of how the PIPC operates, members elect a chair every two years to ensure continuity, shared leadership, and ongoing support for the committee’s work.

“It is with much gratitude that we receive David Flood as the new PIPC Chairperson. His election as Chair is an indication of how indigenous values guide the work of the PIPC, indigenous leadership has always been a shared role and PIPC has demonstrated this by electing David and ensuring continuity of leadership. We welcome David in his new role and look forward to working with him to ensure indigenous voices and values are clearly articulated and acted upon in FSC.” – Minnie

Reflections from David Flood

Stepping into Leadership:

David Flood is a Registered Professional Forester (RPF) and steps into the role of Chair with a strong awareness of the relationships that shape the PIPC’s work. Having been part of the committee for just over a year, he has focused on understanding how the PIPC interacts with the FSC Indigenous Foundation Council, the Secretariat, and FSC International governance. He sees the Chair’s role as helping to navigate and strengthen these connections, while ensuring that the PIPC remains an effective advisory body within the broader FSC system.

Further more, he recognizes that this responsibility extends beyond institutional coordination.

“We’re supposed to, across eight regions of the world, lead change in upholding UNDRIP and FPIC as it relates to the standard and the good governance in forestry and in the spirit of a reconciliation, at least in Canada, we use the word reconciliation. In other parts, it’s justice,” shares David.

His experience with FSC began in 2007, when he worked as an auditor under the Rainforest Alliance. One of his early assignments involved an Iisaak (Nuu-chah-nulth word meaning “respect or appreciate”) forest which was deemed to be 51% owned by Indigenous people. As David described, it was “the first of its kind forest tenure shift where the forest was owned by the Indigenous people,” emerging from sustained efforts to change how the land was managed.

While this transition represented an important milestone, the audit revealed that management practices had not evolved at the same pace. As he noted, “they just took the old name off and put a new name on, and they kept all the managers the same,” with the forest continuing to operate under industrial systems. This highlighted the gap between changes in ownership and meaningful shifts in governance and decision-making.

The audit process identified major non-conformances, which led to the suspension of the FSC certificate. Reflecting on this, David emphasized that “a suspension is a big deal,” underscoring both the rigor of the FSC system and the challenges involved in aligning practice with Indigenous-led approaches.

The experience became a defining moment in David’s engagement with FSC. It shaped his understanding of both the potential and the limitations of certification systems, and the importance of ensuring that Indigenous leadership is meaningfully reflected not only in ownership, but also in how forests are governed and managed over time.

In the years that followed, David remained engaged with FSC through standard development processes and governance roles, including his time on the FSC Canada Board and his membership in the Indigenous chamber in Canada for over a decade to date. These experiences contributed to his view of aligning FSC systems with Indigenous values, leadership, and decision-making.

Last year, in 2025, David stood alongside the Menominee People to celebrate a shared vision of forest stewardship, and participated in a side event at the FSC General Assembly in Panama on FSC’s Principle 3, while also engaging in Indigenous-led discussions around a fourth chamber within FSC, in proposed Motion 5.

Looking ahead: A shared vision

David sees the PIPC as a platform made up of Indigenous leaders who bring lived experience and a strong commitment to creating change. Supporting initiatives that reach communities on the ground remains central to this vision.

At the same time, he recognizes the broader context in which this work takes place. Efforts to uphold Indigenous Peoples’ rights are happening within complex global systems, where the scale of challenges often exceeds the reach of any single organization. Within this reality, the PIPC and the FSC Indigenous Foundation continue to play a focused but meaningful role, working together alongside FSC to help advance change and strengthen the recognition of Indigenous Peoples’ rights.

The work is not only about governance, but about contributing to a larger movement.

As David expressed, it is about continuing to “shine the light in the darkness of colonialism,” while ensuring that “Indigenous Peoples remain a key component in FSC.”

David Flood, RPF

The election was conducted last 19 February 2026 with all members of the PIPC joining online. We extend our gratitude to Ms. Alina Santiago for serving as Chairperson for the past period.

“While 2025 was a difficult year for the Foundation, we were lucky to have you as the Chairperson of the PIPC. Your leadership helped us through a difficult phase and we hope that as we move forward you will continue to be there to provide advice. Thank you, and as my people say MABUHAY! (long live!)” – Minnie Degawan

International Women’s Day – March 8

Indigenous women, their rights, and Mother Nature’s protection

FSC IF

Across the world, women continue to lead change in their families, communities, and ecosystems. Among them, Indigenous women stand out as vital guardians of nature, holders of knowledge systems that sustain biodiversity, protect ecosystems, and help communities adapt to climate change. Yet their contributions are still too often overlooked in policy making, research, and public discourse.

International Women’s Day offers an opportunity not only to reflect on the inequalities women continue to face, but also to recognize their profound contributions to society and to the planet. In many Indigenous communities, women play central roles in sustaining cultural traditions while protecting the natural environments on which their communities depend.

As Indigenous leader Aissatou Ibrahim reflects on the meaning of the day:

“For me, International Women’s Day is simply a way of valuing even the little things that women do, even within the home. In the morning, it is she who wakes up earlier than everyone else, and it is she who goes to bed later than everyone else. Therefore, without women there is no life. Without women there is also no joy in the home. A house without a woman is like a house in darkness.”

Her words remind us that the everyday contributions of women, often invisible or undervalued, are fundamental to the well-being of families, communities, and societies.

When these contributions remain unseen, their knowledge is also excluded from environmental policies and conservation strategies. As a result, valuable opportunities to strengthen sustainable ecosystem management are lost.

Knowledge carriers and climate observers

In many Indigenous communities, women hold deep knowledge about plants, animals, weather patterns, and ecosystems. This knowledge is developed through generations of observation, experience, and cultural practice, and it plays an essential role in sustaining both livelihoods and biodiversity.

Aissatou describes the depth of this knowledge in her community:

“It is the woman who knows where to find herbs, trees, and leaves, whether for food, for healing, for teaching, or for expanding that knowledge and traditional wisdom.”

This understanding of nature extends far beyond the use of plants. Indigenous women closely observe seasonal changes, animal behavior, and environmental signals that help communities anticipate climate conditions.

As Aissatou explains:

“Women know how to predict the weather. When it will be hot, when it will rain, what the season will be like, whether it will be long or short, whether there will be floods or drought.”

These observations are vital in regions where livelihoods depend closely on natural cycles. Women often guide decisions about planting seasons, the use of natural resources, and the movement of animals, helping communities adapt to changing environmental conditions.

Challenges and pressures

Despite their essential role in environmental stewardship, Indigenous women continue to face significant challenges. Many Indigenous territories are increasingly threatened by deforestation, extractive industries, and land encroachment, placing both ecosystems and traditional livelihoods at risk.

At the same time, social inequalities and gender discrimination often limit women’s participation in environmental decision-making. Recognizing Indigenous women’s rights, including their land rights, cultural rights, and leadership in environmental governance, is therefore essential for both gender justice and biodiversity protection.

Indigenous identity and the future

Despite these challenges, Indigenous women continue to demonstrate resilience, leadership, and determination.

For Aissatou, Indigenous identity is a source of pride and strength:

“Being indigenous means having traditional knowledge and wisdom, having an identity, being connected to a territory in one way or another.”

This connection to land and culture shapes how Indigenous communities understand their responsibility to protect nature and sustain their way of life.

Aissatou also shares an inspiring message for younger generations:

“Young women, this message is for you. Be proud of who you are. Be very happy to be Indigenous, whatever your people, your country, or your origin.”

“Being indigenous is an opportunity that we must never let slip away, and we must care for and protect our community, our identity, our culture, and our traditional knowledge.”

Today, as we mark International Women’s Day, it is important to remember that the protection of nature and the advancement of women’s rights are deeply interconnected.

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and the FSC Indigenous Foundation recognize the vital role Indigenous women play in protecting forests, sustaining biodiversity, and strengthening community resilience. Learn more about how the FSC collaborates with Indigenous Peoples in various ways to create shared opportunities.

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