From Forest Guardians to Climate and Biodiversity Partners: Advancing Indigenous-Led Sustainable Forest Management
A Policy Brief Prepared by the FSC Indigenous Foundation
FSC IF
As the world prepares for COP30 in Belém, Brazil, the FSC Indigenous Foundation is calling for a transformative shift in global climate governance, one that recognizes Indigenous Peoples not as mere stakeholders but as rightsholders and co-creators of solutions. Our new policy brief outlines how Indigenous-led forest management, rooted in traditional knowledge and collective governance, is essential to achieving climate, biodiversity, and sustainability goals. Indigenous Peoples protect and steward much of the planet’s remaining biodiversity, offering time-tested approaches to resilience, conservation, and sustainable living.
The brief emphasizes that Indigenous leadership must be integrated across four key policy areas: sustainable forest management, traditional knowledge, direct access to finance, and carbon and non-market approaches. It calls for policies that value Indigenous governance systems as models of sustainability, ensure Indigenous decision-making in forest and climate frameworks, and reform financial systems to provide direct, flexible access to funds. It also advocates for the recognition of Indigenous knowledge under the Local Communities and Indigenous Peoples Platform (LCIPP) as equal to scientific knowledge, while protecting cultural and intellectual rights.
At the core of this message is a mindset shift: from inclusion to partnership, from consultation to co-leadership. Achieving true climate justice requires global recognition of Indigenous Peoples’ rights, wisdom, and governance as central pillars of climate action. As the world looks toward COP30, the FSC Indigenous Foundation invites governments, institutions, and allies to stand with Indigenous Peoples as partners and leaders in creating a sustainable and equitable future for all.
For general inquiries, contact fsc.if@fsc.org. If you wish to contact our Managing Director, email Minnie Degawan at managingdirector.if@fsc.org, a Kankanaey-Igorot woman from the Philippines. For communications or media collaborations, contact Maria De Leon at m.deleon@fsc.org, Head of Communications and a Guna woman from Panama.
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:
Respect for Mother Earth – recognizing our duty as caretakers of lands, waters, and ecosystems for future generations.
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
Assist with the preparation of communication materials, including a policy brief, and a report.
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:
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.
Assist in drafting a communication material: a summarized and concise report.
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.
