Tag: Climate Finance

News

End-Of-The-Year series newsletter

Find our final 2025 highlights for the year

FSC IF

As 2025 comes to a close, we extend our sincere appreciation for the collaboration between our organization and our partners, especially during a year marked by significant institutional adjustments. 

Below are our final highlights for 2025: 

October’s highlights 

WRI article – For New Global Forest Pledges to Succeed, They Must Center Forest Communities 

COP30 commitments in Belém highlight growing recognition that Indigenous Peoples, Afro-descendants, and local communities are essential forest stewards in the climate fight. Co-authored by Minnie Degawan (Kankanaey-Igorot), Managing Director of FSC-IF, the article spotlights three major pledges on forest finance and land rights, while warning that slow, complex titling processes still limit communities’ access to funding.  Read more here. 

PIPC Regional meeting 

The FSC Permanent Indigenous Peoples Committee (PIPC) Regional Meeting for Latin America brought together Indigenous representatives from South America, Mexico, and Central America to strengthen Indigenous participation in forest governance and advance responsible forest management. Read more here. 

FSC General Assembly 

The 10th FSC General Assembly in Panama highlighted the central role of Indigenous Peoples in shaping the future of responsible forestry, with Indigenous leaders opening the Assembly, contributing to plenaries, and influencing key decisions through FSC’s chamber-balanced governance system. Discussions, motions, and side events emphasized Indigenous rights, culturally appropriate certification, and the recognition of Indigenous knowledge as essential to forest conservation. Read more here. 

Strengthening Indigenous Forestry Management in Malaysia 

FSC-IF partnered with FSC Malaysia to deliver a workshop in Sarawak that strengthened practical pathways for Indigenous Peoples’ engagement in forest stewardship, emphasizing respect for Indigenous rights and governance, trust building through culturally appropriate dialogue, and alignment with community priorities and long term wellbeing. 

Boosting Indigenous Nature-Based Business Models – Emberá People 

With the support of IDB Lab, we advanced the participatory community economic plans by integrating community timelines, worldviews, FSC’s Economic Viability Tool insights, and local strengthening priorities to shape long term strategies that reinforce Indigenous forest based economies, recognize Indigenous Cultural Landscapes, and support community wellbeing. 

November’s highlights 

Boosting Indigenous Nature-Based Business Models – Emberá People 

We advanced the project by linking community economic planning with climate adaptation and territorial governance, supporting workshops and an FSC Board visit that showcased progress, highlighted local initiatives, and informed next steps to strengthen FSC certification with Indigenous Peoples in Panama. 

Indigenous leadership and responsible forest management in Mexico 

Tyler Bellis of the Council of the Haida Nation visited FSC-certified community forest enterprises in Oaxaca to exchange learning on Indigenous governance and responsible forest management, with Alina Santiago highlighting how community decision making and long term planning strengthen sustainable forest stewardship and collective wellbeing. Read more. 

A New Artwork Bringing FSC’s Story and Values to Life in Australia

FSC ANZ is proud to introduce a new artwork created by Tolita Davis-Angeles, Chair of FSC’s Indigenous Working Group and FSC PIPC Oceania alternate representative.

Ngäbe Community program: Workshop on strengthening indigenous governance 

The facilitation workshop on strengthening Ngäbe governance focused on building capacities for collective decision making, traditional authority, and culturally grounded leadership, while promoting conflict resolution and the equitable participation of women and youth to reinforce territorial autonomy and collective rights. 

UNFCCC COP30 in Belem, Brazil 

We worked with FSC throughout COP30 to elevate Indigenous priorities and in our COP30 Report explain key outcomes on forest finance, tenure, adaptation, loss and damage, and carbon markets, stressing that real impact depends on FPIC, tenure security, transparency, and Indigenous governance with strong safeguards at the center. 

December’s highlights  

Boosting Indigenous Nature-Based Business Models – Emberá People 

We reached a key milestone in the project by validating and finalizing community economic plans through assemblies and dialogue spaces, incorporating final feedback and strengthening long-term planning and Indigenous governance. In parallel, we participated in the 2025 GET Forum organized by IDB Lab, identifying opportunities to connect with innovation and finance ecosystem actors that could help scale and sustain FSC-IF initiatives in the future. 

Ngäbe Community program: Environmental workshop 

Community members received training on Panama’s key environmental laws, covering forest legislation, wildlife protection, water resources, and environmental impact assessment requirements. The sessions also introduced the Escazú Agreement and its relevance for access to environmental information, participation, and justice. 

Advice Note published protecting the rights of Indigenous Peoples 

FSC has published the Advice Note for Indigenous Peoples in Voluntary Isolation and in Initial Contact (IPVIIC) in Peru. Find the news here. 

UNCCD CRIC23 in Panama 

UNCCD CRIC 23 advanced recommendations on 2030 land and drought goals while building momentum toward COP17 in 2026 in Mongolia, where Parties aim to accelerate restoration and sustainable land management with stronger engagement of Indigenous Peoples, local communities, women, and youth. 

WWF & AJET Report: Webinar launch 

Through the report launch webinar, Indigenous leaders and partners emphasized that a truly just energy transition must recognize Indigenous Peoples as rights-holders and partners, ensure Indigenous governance and land stewardship, and avoid repeating extractive models under the banner of “green” development. Read more here. 

Aissatou Oumarou is FSC PIPC representative for Francophone Africa 

We congratulate Aissatou Oumarou Ibrahim of the Mbororo Fulani People on her appointment as the FSC Permanent Indigenous Peoples Committee (PIPC) Representative for Francophone Africa. Learn more about FSC PIPC and her role here. 

Support the call! 

We stand with Daria and all Indigenous defenders whose voices, safety, and freedom are under threat. Support the call today! 

End of the year message and hopes for the future 

As we close the year, we recognize a growing shift toward Indigenous leadership as a vital force in protecting forests and advancing sustainable, long-term stewardship. Looking ahead to 2026, we invite partners to invest in Indigenous-led initiatives and become financial partners, please contact us at fsc.if@fsc.org to start the conversation. 

Want to support? Please share this newsletter among your network. 

News

Newsletter: COP30 Outcomes Report

Key outcomes that matter for Indigenous forest stewardship

FSC IF

The Forest Stewardship Council and the FSC Indigenous Foundation worked together during COP30, collaborating on side events, engagement activities with strategic allies, spaces for dialogue, and other coordination actions to highlight Indigenous priorities and strengthen their participation and advocacy.

COP30 is over, but its impact will be decided in implementation. Today, we break down the outcomes for forests and Indigenous Peoples: what shifted, what to watch, and what it could unlock if finance and policy are delivered with rights, transparency, and Indigenous governance at the center.

Read our COP30 Report!

Highlights of the report:

Forest Finance Breakthroughs: TFFF + Tenure Pledges  

COP30 announced new resources for standing forests and land tenure—implementation and safeguards will determine whether communities benefit.

Key points:

  • Tropical Forest Forever Facility (TFFF) in plain language: long-term, results-based payments; early capitalization; commitment share for Indigenous Peoples and local communities.
  • Forest and Land Tenure Pledge: donor/philanthropy funding to advance legal recognition, demarcation, governance reforms, and community-led conservation.

  • Intergovernmental Land Tenure Commitment: country commitments to secure hectares by 2030; why collective tenure matters.

Global Mutirão: From Negotiation to Mass Mobilization  

COP30 elevated Mutirão as a model for collective action. Its impact will depend on whether communities have real control, rights, and resources.

Key points:

  • What is Global Mutirão? Meaning and origins; a framework for collective mobilization beyond formal negotiations.
  • Why it matters for Indigenous Peoples: validates communal stewardship and traditional ecological knowledge; invites Indigenous and Afro-descendant peoples into climate action pathways.

  • What success looks like: financing, technical support, recognition of land and tenure rights, respect for Indigenous governance, and protection against extractive pressures.

The Implementation Era: Adaptation, Loss & Damage, Gender—and Who Gets to Decide

COP30 advanced frameworks, but participation, direct access, and rights-based safeguards will determine real impact for communities.

Key points:

  • Adaptation: Global Goal on Adaptation indicators and political signals to scale finance; risks of voluntary/weak indicators and uncertain funding.
  • Loss & Damage: progress on coordination and technical assistance; persistent gaps in rights-based safeguards, direct access for Indigenous Peoples, and governance inclusion.

  • Belém Gender Action Plan (BeGAP): recognition of Indigenous women; success depends on meaningful decision-making power and financing access.

Article 6 & Carbon Markets

International carbon markets are moving into implementation, strong safeguards, FPIC, and tenure security are essential.

Key points:

  • Opportunities: potential resources for forest protection and restoration if designed with strong rights and environmental integrity.
  • Risks: non-permanence, double counting, weak additionality; displacement/injustice without FPIC, tenure security, and fair benefit sharing.

  • Guardrails: FPIC, land rights, Indigenous governance, community-defined benefit sharing, transparency, grievance and remedy.

Matters relating to Finance

Finance remains a decisive factor in turning climate commitments into real action.  

Key points:

  • Loss & Damage Fund: Rapid operational progress; USD 817.01M pledged; 2026 workplan focuses on faster, accessible grants with strong safeguards.
  • GCF improvements: Faster approvals/disbursement, stronger direct access support, inclusion of Indigenous Peoples, better risk management, align with Belém Gender Action Plan.

  • Adaptation Fund & GEF: AF expanding locally led adaptation but short of USD 300M target; GEF exceeded GEF-8 target and delivered 1.85B tCO₂ reductions (by June 2025), urging strong GEF-9 funding and Indigenous/gender safeguards.

FSC-IF Engagement in COP30 Side Events

Side events made rights, tools, standards, and direct finance concrete, and built partnerships for what happens next.

Key points:

  • FSC-IF joined 8 COP30 side events centering Indigenous rights, FPIC, and leadership in forest stewardship and climate action.
  • Called for equitable, direct, predictable climate finance, removing barriers linked to land rights and self-determination.
  • Stressed credible sustainability standards through continuous improvement, grievance/remedy, and capacity building.

  • Highlighted community forest management (with data ownership under FPIC) and Indigenous leadership in wildfire prevention/response/restoration with rapid financing.

If you wish to engage in the UNFCCC, learn more about the Indigenous Peoples Caucus!

Within the UNFCCC process, Indigenous Peoples participate collectively through the International Indigenous Peoples Forum on Climate Change (IIPFCC), commonly referred to as the Indigenous Peoples Caucus.

  • It is the official coordination body for Indigenous Peoples participating in UNFCCC sessions, including COP, SB sessions, and related climate negotiations.
  • It brings together representatives from Indigenous organizations, nations, communities, and global/regional networks.
  • Why it exists:
    • To provide a unified voice for Indigenous Peoples in global climate decision-making.
    • To protect Indigenous rights and promote Indigenous-led climate solutions.
    • To track, interpret, and influence negotiation text across agenda items (mitigation, adaptation, finance, Article 6, loss & damage, etc.).

Learn more about the IIPFCC:  https://www.iipfcc.org/

If you are young and want to participate, learn about the International Indigenous Youth Forum on Climate Change here.

Read our COP30 Report
News

Climate Week NYC 2025: From Rights to Partnerships – Working with Indigenous Peoples for Nature

FSC Indigenous Foundation at Climate Week New York 2025

FSC IF
Working with Indigenous Peoples for Nature FSC-IF

We’re heading to New York for Climate Week NYC (September 21–28), joining hundreds of partners and Indigenous leaders to accelerate real, nature-positive climate action. 2025 is a pivotal year on the road to COP30 in Brazil, and this moment helps us build momentum for our joint advocacy for Indigenous-led solutions and funding opportunities.

Our participation at Climate Week in the Nature Hub 

Our participation includes two sessions at the Nature Hub in New York designed to share practical approaches for scaling Indigenous-led climate and biodiversity solutions: 

From Rights to Partnerships: Working with Indigenous Peoples for Nature 

This one-hour dialogue, hosted by the FSC Indigenous Foundation on September 23rd, will challenge the prevailing narrative around Indigenous Peoples’ rights. For years, many international declarations have affirmed these rights, yet implementation often falls short. Our session calls on the private sector, governments, and philanthropic organizations to move beyond symbolic recognition and toward genuine partnerships that uphold rights while tackling the environmental crisis we face. 

We will also examine common barriers that stakeholders encounter when engaging with Indigenous communities, such as navigating diverse cultural and social norms, or knowing who to consult with, amongst other things. Alongside these challenges, we will highlight success stories where partnerships have delivered lasting and sustainable solutions. The discussion will show how collaboration, equitable financing and high-integrity data can drive investment in community-led nature-based solutions. 

Banner From Rights to Partnerships Speakers

From Rights to Partnerships: Partnerships for Success — Corporate/Indigenous Learning Circle 

In this Nature4Climate (N4C) roundtable, we will participate as panelists together with Indigenous leaders, businesses and investors. The conversation will explore how to co-create strategies for conservation and climate resilience that go beyond compliance. It will present funding models, co-governance frameworks and practical examples that demonstrate how companies and Indigenous communities can work together to protect ecosystems, strengthen climate action and build trust-based, enduring partnerships. 

These sessions are delivered in partnership with: 

  • Indigenous Chambers of Commerce 

Our presence at Climate Week NYC is strengthened through our close collaboration with the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). Together, we are advancing a shared vision: forests and Indigenous Peoples are vital to solving the climate and biodiversity crises. We stand alongside partners who champion sustainable forest management, credible certification systems, and innovative tools such as FSC Verified Impact. 

Through joint efforts at the Nature Hub and coordinated advocacy throughout Climate Week, we’re demonstrating how inclusive governance, trusted data, and high-integrity standards can unlock funding and partnerships that deliver for people, forests, and the planet. 

News

Request for Consulting Services: Execution of Communications Activities for the FSC Indigenous Foundation

Support the implementation of the FSC-IF global communications strategy

FSC IF

Introduction 

The FSC Indigenous Foundation invites interested and qualified indigenous persons to submit proposals for a consultancy on the execution of communications activities. This assignment will support the implementation of the organization’s global communication strategy through content production, visibility actions, and stakeholder engagement. 

📄 We recommend carefully reviewing the full Terms of Reference and downloading the annex with the General Conditions of the contract available at the end of this publication. 

🌿 About the FSC Indigenous Foundation 

The FSC Indigenous Foundation (FSC-IF) is a global non-profit organization created by and for Indigenous Peoples. It promotes sustainable forest management and the defense of collective rights globally. FSC-IF works with Indigenous Peoples in Asia, Africa, and Latin America to foster self-determination, strengthen governance systems, and protect territories by integrating traditional knowledge into development solutions. 

💡 Disclaimer 

This call is open to indigenous persons worldwide. Applicants must be bilingual and fluent in English; additional languages are considered an asset. Selected consultants should also be flexible with their schedules to attend online meetings, as the FSC Indigenous Foundation’s office is based in Panama City, Central America (time zone: UTC-05:00). 

TERMS OF REFERENCE 

Consultancy on Communications Activities Execution 

FSC INDIGENOUS FOUNDATION 

1. CONTRACT CONDITIONS 

Name: Consultancy on Communications Activities Execution – FSC Indigenous Foundation.

Type of consulting: Consulting agreement with payments tied to the deliverables specified in the payments and deliverables section. 

Contract period: October – November 

Location: Remote

Person in charge: Direct reporting to the Head of Communications at the FSC Indigenous Foundation 

2. INFORMATION ABOUT THE FSC INDIGENOUS FOUNDATION 

In 2019, the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) established the FSC Indigenous Foundation (FSC-IF) as the operational office of the Permanent Indigenous Peoples Committee (PIPC). FSC-IF, a private interest foundation under Panamanian law, exists to secure Indigenous Peoples’ rights and promote sustainable forest-based solutions across 300 million hectares of Indigenous forests. 

We are Indigenous Peoples, guided by ancestral knowledge, practices, values, and respect for Mother Earth. We provide Indigenous-led solutions to global challenges by integrating Indigenous values, rights, livelihoods, ecosystem services, and territories into forest governance, climate change policies, and market systems. 

Our work is guided by Indigenous values: 

  1. Respect for Mother Earth – recognizing our duty as caretakers of lands, waters, and ecosystems for future generations. 
  1. Respect for Ancestral Knowledge – honoring our ancestors by sustainably managing resources and valuing traditional wisdom. 

3. CONTEXT 

Communications play a vital role in amplifying Indigenous voices, raising awareness of Indigenous-led solutions, and strengthening FSC-IF’s presence at global, regional, and local levels. The Communications Unit works to develop and implement culturally appropriate communication strategies, enhance visibility, and promote Indigenous Peoples’ narratives in global dialogues on forests, climate change, and rights. 

The Communications Consultant will provide support to the Head of Communications, ensuring timely content creation, and logistical support for communication products. This role will strengthen the visibility of FSC-IF programs, projects, and initiatives through consistent and culturally sensitive communications. 

4. OBJECTIVES OF THE CONSULTING 

General Objective 
The Communications Consultant will support the FSC-IF Communications Unit in the implementation of the global communication strategy by assisting with content production, visibility actions, and stakeholder engagement. 

Specific Objectives 

  1. Assist with the preparation of communication materials, including a policy brief, and a report. 
  1. Help monitor media mentions, digital trends, and analytics to inform communication efforts. 

5. ACTIVITIES 

The Consultant will assist the head of communications in the following deliverables:  

  1. Policy brief, for use by FSC-IF and FSC PIPC for UNFCCC CoP30  that details the official agenda items of importance to IPLCs, what to expect and how to effectively participate. 
  1. Assist in drafting a communication material: a summarized and concise report. 

6. DELIVERABLES AND PAYMENT METHOD 

Deliverables:

  1. COP30 Policy brief: 4–6 pages, synthesize outcomes & recommendations 
  2. COP30 activities report (summary version): 4-8 pages, a concise COP30 activities report (text-focused, light on design)

6.1. QUOTATION: 

We invite interested parties to submit letters of interest including a quotation of the cost of services based on the outlined deliverables.  Deadline for submission of such will be on September 25th this document “Terms of Reference: Consultancy on Communications Activities Execution for FSC-IF.” Please include the taxes for this work in case it’s necessary. 

6.2. PERIOD: 

The contract will run from October through November; however, it is deliverable-based rather than time-bound. Payment will be issued upon submission and acceptance of the agreed deliverables. 

6.3. PAYMENT METHOD: 

Bank transfer locally and internationally. 

Payments remain tied to the successful submission of deliverables and reports. 

7. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS AND REQUIRED SKILLS 

  • Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, public relations, or a related field. 
  • Minimum 1–2 years of experience in communications, preferably in Indigenous, environmental, or development sectors. 
  • Ideally bilingual: Strong skills in writing, editing, and translating (English and/or Spanish required; proficiency in Indigenous or other languages is an asset). 
  • Strong organizational and coordination skills, with attention to detail. 
  • Ability to work collaboratively in multicultural environments. 
  • Sensitivity and respect for Indigenous Peoples’ rights, values, and perspectives. 
  • Active members of Indigenous Peoples are encouraged to apply. 

8. HOW TO APPLY 

Interested candidates are invited to send their CV, LinkedIn profile link (if any), Quotation, and Motivation Letter to procurement.fscif@fsc.org by September 25th  at 17:00 Panama Time. 

Subject line: Consultancy on Communications Activities Execution  – FSC Indigenous Foundation 

9. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS 

All materials, content, and outputs produced during this consultancy will remain the property of the FSC Indigenous Foundation. 

10. CONFIDENTIALITY 

The consultant agrees to maintain confidentiality of all information and materials obtained during the consultancy and not to disclose them without prior authorization from FSC-IF. 

11. CONFLICT OF INTERESTS 

Any potential conflict of interest must be disclosed to FSC-IF management, which will determine appropriate measures to resolve it. 

Download the Terms of Reference
1 2 3 … 5