FSC seeks stakeholder input on FPIC Guidance for Remedy
Help strengthen FPIC implementation in FSC remedy processes
FSC IF
FSC invites stakeholders to provide feedback on the draft Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) Implementation in the FSC Remedy Framework guidance through a public survey.
FPIC is an important component of the FSC Remedy Framework, helping ensure that affected rights holders play a central role in dialogue processes and in agreeing to remedy actions. The guidance aims to build shared understanding for applying and verifying FPIC requirements specifically in the context of remedy processes.
The survey seeks stakeholder input on areas where further technical input may be useful in different remedy scenarios. Feedback will inform the Technical Working Group’s review and further development of the guidance.
All interested stakeholders are encouraged to participate. The survey is open until 17 November 2026.
The Forests & Indigenous Voices Newsletter brings you monthly stories and news on Indigenous leadership and knowledge, global advocacy, nature-based solutions, and opportunities to connect and engage.
GLOBAL NEWS
Armenia
FSC Indigenous Foundation at CBD COP17: Advancing Indigenous Leadership in Biodiversity Conservation
The FSC Indigenous Foundation (FSC-IF) is participating in the UN Biodiversity Conference (CBD COP17) in Yerevan, Armenia, alongside Indigenous representatives, FSC colleagues, and global partners.
Throughout the conference, the FSC-IF is advocating for Indigenous Peoples’ rights, leadership, and self-determination in forest governance, emphasizing the importance of recognizing Indigenous territories, respecting Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) and customary governance, supporting Indigenous-led biodiversity stewardship, and highlighting the role of women and youth.
Engaging with Indigenous brothers and sisters in different spaces, from IIFB caucus meetings and side events to informal dialogues, one key message continues to resonate: at the heart of our discussions is our shared commitment to caring for nature, maintaining healthy forests, and sustaining biodiversity.
For Indigenous Peoples, nature is one, and we are one with nature.
It is important to remember why we are here and how we can engage with all actors through trust, mutual respect, and meaningful dialogue, recognizing that the future of nature concerns us all.
From discussions on Indigenous Peoples’ rights and their full and effective participation in decision-making spaces to powerful demonstrations at the conference venue, one message is clear: We must hold ourselves accountable and ensure that we are truly taking action for nature.
Cameroon
Strengthening Indigenous Participation in Forest Governance Across Africa
In collaboration with REPALEAC, we brought together Indigenous representatives, women, youth, and partners in Douala, Cameroon, to strengthen dialogue on Indigenous Peoples’ participation in forest governance and FSC certification.
Participants shared experiences, priorities, and perspectives on making FSC certification more accessible and inclusive, while emphasizing the importance of continued dialogue and collective Indigenous representation.
The discussions also provided opportunities to strengthen regional collaboration and explore ways to ensure that Indigenous Peoples’ voices and priorities are reflected in decisions affecting their forests and communities.
The FSC-IF extends its appreciation to REPALEAC for its collaboration and to FSC Eastern Africa and FSC Southern Africa for sharing insights into FSC standards.
The Development Vision of Emberá Purú shares, through the voices of its leaders and community representatives, how the community is shaping its own path toward the future.
Featuring Deleuze Vacorizo from Caja Rural, Nisberia Ortega from IMBISU OBC, Solvio Córdoba from JAAR, and Edwin Bacorizo from the Parents’ Club, the documentary explores community-led initiatives related to the local economy, cultural preservation, access to clean water, tourism, and children’s education.
It is a story of self-determination and community autonomy, where decisions about the present and future of Emberá Purú are made by the community itself.
This video is part of Community Thriving Narratives, a component of the Boosting Indigenous Nature-Based Business Models project, which aims to highlight the experiences, knowledge, and aspirations of Indigenous communities through their own voices and perspectives.
Strengthening Partnerships and Indigenous Collaboration in Latin America
October 7–9 | Bogotá, Colombia
Represented by Darwin Velásquez, the FSC Indigenous Foundation participated in the FSC Latin America Regional Meeting, strengthening relationships with FSC members, Indigenous representatives, and regional partners.
The FSC-IF engaged in formal discussions and dialogues and explored opportunities for collaboration, including technical exchanges and partnerships. With FSC Ecuador, potential joint initiatives supporting Indigenous organizations were highlighted.
Are global efforts to care for forests and land moving fast enough?
Join Minnie Degawan, and global experts for a Systems Change Lab webinar exploring progress, challenges, and actions needed to address the climate and biodiversity crises.
Powering Indigenous Communities: Co-ownership, Participation and Equitable Benefit-sharing
Join IRENA and the Coalition for Action on 27 October at 4 PM GST for the webinar exploring how renewable energy projects can support a just and inclusive energy transition by respecting Indigenous Peoples’ rights.
2027 Indigenous Youth Fellowship: Call for Proposals
Application deadline: Tomorrow, October 25, 2026
Cultural Survival is inviting applications for its 2027 Indigenous Youth Fellowship, supporting youth-led projects that strengthen cultural identity, leadership skills, and community participation.
Since its launch in 2018, the program has awarded more than 157 fellowships, reaching over 350 Indigenous youth worldwide.
Advancing rights, biodiversity, and forest stewardship
FSC IF
The 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) brings together governments, Indigenous Peoples, civil society, and partners in Yerevan, Armenia, from 19 to 30 October 2026, to advance global efforts to halt and reverse biodiversity loss and strengthen the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
At the UN CBD COP17, we join Indigenous representatives, women and youth, Forest Stewardship Council colleagues, and partners to advocate for Indigenous Peoples’ rights, leadership, and self-determination in forest governance.
We aim to advance meaningful Indigenous participation in biodiversity decision-making, forest governance, and sustainable finance, while promoting conservation frameworks and systems that recognize Indigenous territories, respect Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) and customary governance, and support Indigenous-led forest stewardship.
Throughout the conference, FSC-IF will participate in discussions and side events addressing biodiversity finance, Indigenous Peoples’ rights, gender, forest governance, and responsible business engagement.
Join us at these events:
22 October | 15:00–15:45
From Commitments to Accountability: How Assurance, Data, and Partnerships Can Mobilize Biodiversity Finance
Business & Biodiversity Hub (UNEP-WCMC)
FSC: Sharon London | FSC-IF: Maria Esther De Leon
22 October | 17:00–18:00
Gender and Biodiversity in Latin America: Scaling Impact through Certification, Ecosystem Services and Value Chains
CBD Women’s Caucus Pavilion
Speakers: Valentina Figuera Martínez and Berta Medrano, CBD Women’s Caucus; Mega Ayu Lestari, Secretariat of the Working Group on ICCAs Indonesia, Camila Cosse Braslavsky, Support, Forest Stewardship Council; and Maria De Leon, FSC-IF.
Moderator: Dian Yusvita Intarini
23 October | 09:30–10:30
Halting and Reversing Deforestation by 2030: Implementing the COP30 Presidency Roadmap
Nature Positive Pavilion, Small Room
FSC: Camila Cosse Braslavsky and Anand Punja | FSC-IF: Maria Esther De Leon
For the FSC Indigenous Foundation, participation at CBD COP17 is an opportunity to strengthen relationships, exchange experiences, and advance collaboration with Indigenous Peoples, governments, international organizations, and forest sector partners.
Biodiversity conservation must recognize Indigenous Peoples not only as participants, but as rights holders and leaders in decisions affecting their territories, forests, and futures.
Forests & Indigenous Voices | September 2026
News from around the world
FSC IF
The Forests & Indigenous Voices Newsletter brings you monthly stories and news on Indigenous leadership and knowledge, global advocacy, nature-based solutions, and opportunities to connect and engage.
GLOBAL NEWS
Finland
From Collaboration to Action: Advancing Motion 37
The workshop on Motion 37 was held in Helsinki on September 7, where FSC Indigenous Foundation’s Fredy Duque and Dian Intarini joined representatives from FSC International as facilitators.
The workshop provided an opportunity to explore how existing tools and capacities within FSC can be better connected to respond to the needs of Indigenous Peoples and local communities, while identifying recommendations for the next phases of Motion 37.
The conversation in Helsinki was one step in that process, moving towards practical pathways for action.
Ireland
Healthy forests sustain life
Healthy forests sustain biodiversity, cultures, livelihoods, and the well-being of communities. This interconnectedness reminds us why efforts around biodiversity, health, human rights, and climate action must come together.
At COHAB 3, the Third International Conference on Health and Biodiversity, we engaged in conversations around these connections on the road to the 2026 UN Biodiversity and Climate summits. This participation also provided an opportunity to keep strengthening relationships with partners, such as Health in Harmony, and explore how Indigenous leadership and knowledge can contribute to addressing these interconnected global challenges.
Germany
Annual FSC Certification Bodies Meeting
Certification Bodies, commonly referred to as CBs, play an important role in the FSC certification system, and within the FSC system, the rights of Indigenous Peoples are addressed through Principle 3 of the FSC Principles and Criteria for Forest Stewardship, including requirements related to FPIC.
During the CBs Meeting, we joined fellow panelists to discuss the importance of FPIC during the session Understanding FPIC: Aligning Intent with Certification Reality.
Minnie Degawan, FSC-IF Managing Director, shared that FPIC at its core is about relationship building and not so much about legalities.
Niila Inga, FSC-IF Council member, also commented on how mutual respect and understanding are a good basis for working together.
Philippines
Fourth Conservation and Human Rights Forum
From September 14–17, we participated in the Fourth Conservation and Human Rights Forum in the Philippines, co-organized by the Pawanka Fund, Wildlife Conservation Society, and Tebtebba Foundation. The gathering brought together Indigenous Peoples, Afro-descendant Peoples, local communities, conservation organizations, and donors to look at an important question: how can commitments on rights, land tenure, direct funding, and governance translate into concrete action?
Kalea Aquino, FSC-IF’s Regional Focal Point for Asia and the Pacific, moderated the session Perspectives from the Philippines, which examined rights, conservation, and nature in the country through the experience of Indigenous Peoples, local communities, and the Philippines’ 30×30 commitments.
The discussion covered the state of Indigenous Peoples’ engagement with the Philippine government on biodiversity strategy and planning, the role of Indigenous knowledge, and the challenges and opportunities of the national guidelines on other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs) and Indigenous and Community Conserved Areas (ICCAs). She guided participants toward the common issues facing Indigenous Peoples and local communities at the site level, how OECMs and ICCAs can advance a shared agenda, and recommendations for concrete action.
Panama
Connecting Generations, Culture and Forests
Bringing Indigenous leaders, women, and youth together creates space for communities to shape economic opportunities on their own terms. In Panama, representatives from the Emberá-Wounaan Comarca, Emberá-Wounaan Collective Lands, and the National Wounaan Congress came together to explore how community-based tourism can grow while respecting traditional authorities, cultural identity, community organization, and the decisions of Indigenous Peoples themselves. The participation of women and youth is especially important, bringing new perspectives while helping ensure that knowledge, leadership, and community priorities continue across generations.
What stands out in these conversations is the deep relationship between Indigenous Peoples and forests. Forests are not simply resources or places to visit. They are connected to culture, knowledge, livelihoods, biodiversity, and ways of life. At a time when healthy forests are increasingly recognized globally to addressing climate change and biodiversity loss, Indigenous leadership and knowledge are essential to conversations about their future. By developing tourism around the territory, culture, and biodiversity of the Emberá-Wounaan Peoples, communities are exploring opportunities to generate income while keeping the forest, cultural heritage, and community priorities at the heart of development.
For Indigenous Peoples, “forests are more than carbon sinks or resources.” They are home and relatives, and our relationships with them are shaped by generations of knowledge, culture, livelihoods and ways of life.
During Climate Week NYC, we brought this perspective to several engagements. Across these spaces, Minnie shared messages on the value of forests beyond carbon and the connection between thriving forests and healthy communities.
A particularly relevant engagement was the Forest Tenure Funders Group meeting, where the results of the five-year Forest Tenure Pledge were shared. The pledge reached $2.35 billion between 2021 and 2025, exceeding the original commitment.
This conversation goes beyond the amount of funding. It is also about how funding reaches Indigenous Peoples and their territories, whether it responds to their priorities and decision-making, and how it contributes to advancing collective land rights.
Global opportunity for youth
WIPO Video Prize for Indigenous Youth 2026
The WIPO Video Prize for Indigenous Youth 2026 invites Indigenous youth aged 18–35 to showcase their knowledge, culture, and creativity through video under the theme Indigenous Peoples’ Know-How and Creativity in Action.
Entries are open until November 6. The application is in English, Spanish and French. For any questions, please contact tkvideoprize@wipo.int.
