FSC IF Indigenous Peoples

OUR WORK

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The FSC Indigenous Foundation (FSC-IF) works alongside Indigenous Peoples around the world, supporting their initiatives and leadership in protecting and sustainably managing forests, biodiversity, and cultures.

Our approach is guided by the principle of Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC), ensuring that every action we take is grounded in respect, trust, and mutual understanding.

This collaborative approach guarantees that initiatives are not only culturally relevant and rights-based, but also designed to create long-term benefits defined by Indigenous Peoples themselves.

Motivations

The motivations that led us to create the FSC Indigenous Foundation are:

  • The global importance of Indigenous Peoples who manage a quarter of the world’s land surface, containing even richer biodiversity than protected areas.
  • Indigenous territories are a source of global solutions to climate change and carbon cycle management, while delivering sustainable livelihoods and strengthening sustainable forest economies.
  • The participation of Indigenous Peoples in sustainable production chains corresponds to only 1% of the 300 million hectares of certified forest on the planet.
  • Only a fraction of funding for Indigenous Peoples and local communities land tenure and forest management directly reaches Indigenous Peoples’ organizations and local communities.
  • The importance of protecting Indigenous customary rights and valuing their livelihoods and practices as an underlying principle for promoting sustainable forest-nature-based solutions and Indigenous forest enterprises linking Indigenous values, vision, and knowledge and  the FSC certification system.

Global Impact

Comarca Naso Panamá FSC-IF

We collaborate with the Forest Stewardship Council to ensure Indigenous rights and leadership are central to sustainable forestry worldwide. Discover how our partnership is shaping the future of forests.

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FSC Permanent Indigenous Peoples Committee

The Forest Stewardship Council Permanent Indigenous Peoples Committee (PIPC) is a global advisory body composed of Indigenous representatives from all regions of the world.

The Committee advises the FSC International Board on the FSC certification system, with a core mandate to safeguard the rights of Indigenous Peoples, strengthen responsible forest management, and support Indigenous Peoples in building and sustaining FSC-certified forest stewardship. 

Through its work, the PIPC also contributes to increasing Indigenous Peoples’ market access, share, and value within FSC systems.

Purpose

Mission

The FSC Indigenous Foundation, being Indigenous led, aims to uphold the rights of Indigenous Peoples, safeguarding their knowledge, authority, and traditional practices to protect Mother Earth’s forests. The Foundation acknowledges Indigenous Peoples as the rightful stewards of sacred landscapes, spanning one-quarter of the planet and affirms the alignment of the Forest Stewardship Council’s mission with the Foundation’s values of living in harmony with and defending Mother Earth.​

Vision

The Foundation envisions a future where the rights of Indigenous Peoples are fully honored. Through Indigenous-led solutions and actions in all regions, we will promote the self-determined well-being of Indigenous Peoples and the integration of their wisdom globally to protect and nurture Mother Earth’s forests. ​

Strategic Pillars

Indigenous cultural landscapes
Indigenous Cultural Landscapes Designing and promoting Indigenous Cultural Landscape approaches to catalyze and create resilience for Indigenous governance, self-development, and financial sustainability of Indigenous territories and communities.
Indigenous leadership and capacity building
Indigenous Grants & Funding Engaging multi-sectoral partners to develop and facilitate capacity development and social learning exchange with Indigenous and non-Indigenous stakeholders.
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Indigenous Capacity Development Developing Indigenous-led grantmaking instruments to promote Indigenous-led funding management by balancing learning-by-doing and de-risking management approaches.
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Indigenous Advocacy & Visibility Facilitating multi-sector dialogues and collaboration at national, regional, and cross-regional levels to incorporate and influence Indigenous interests.
grupos indígenas FSC IF

PROJECTS

Learn more about our work.

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FSC IF Indigenous Peoples

WORK

Learn about our work enabling Indigenous Peoples globally to manage and develop their communities and territories based on their vision, ancestral knowledge, and rights.

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FSC IF indigenous fellowship program

Indigenous Innovative Solutions Photography Contest

Indigenous photographers from around the world share stories and messages from their communities.

See the winning photos and read the stories