The 28^th meeting of the Green Climate Fund concluded with new fifteen funding proposals requesting US$ 1,197.1 million of GCF funding being approved by the board. The virtual meeting which happened virtually from 16 to 19 March 2021 also focused on some policy matters that were crucial for indigenous peoples like the Updated Accreditation Framework, the Simplified Approval process updates, and the Integrated Results Management Framework.

With two new co-chairs (Jean-Cristophe Donnellier from the French Treasury and Jose De Luna Martinez from the Ministry of Finance and Public Credit, Mexico), who have both never been to any prior GCF Board meeting, the BM 28, which was webcasted live, has shown how challenging it is for board members to agree on crucial policies of the fund. This resulted to a deadlock on the Integrated Results Management Framework, which seeks to further strengthen the ability of GCF to measure and report the impact of its investments. The same is true for the accreditation of 5 entities, where the board did not reach a decision and will just present a new proposal before the next board meeting.

The civil society, indigenous people and local communities network, raised that the even if the Integrated Results Management Framework T states that it has a clear focus on integrating gender and social inclusion, it is unclear how this is measured in the proposed core indicators since it would entail an understanding of who the excluded groups are as part of a baseline, and as mentioned before, the issue of what kind of baseline is acceptable if not addressed. Additionally, it does not seem to consider the GCF’s Indigenous Peoples Policy as the “Policy linkages'' section of the document leaves out the IP Policy from the otherwise comprehensive list.

The observers to the GCF emphasize that, while the IRMF aims to disaggregate data using parameters such as sex, it must also have data about Indigenous Peoples at least in cases where a project is implemented in Indigenous Peoples’ territory and/or impacting Indigenous Peoples. The GCF secretariat clarifies that the the IRMF tries not to duplicate other GCF policies otherwise, it will lose focus.

Meanwhile, prior to the official dates of the board meeting, the Civil Society, Indigenous Peoples and local communities network met with the executive director and the GCF secretariat. According to the IP Focal point, Ms. Jennifer Rubis, constitution of the Indigenous Peoples’ Advisory Group (IPAG) is going to happen this year as part of the workplan for 2021.

The BM 28 was participated in by the members of the IP Advocacy team including Eileen Cunningham Mairena of the Centre for the Indigenous Peoples' Autonomy and Development (CADPI), who also serves as the active observer for developing countries, Helen Magata of Tebtebba, Stefan Thorsell of the International Work Group on Indigenous Affairs (IWGIA), and Tunga Rai of the Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities (NEFIN).

Mr Aslak Holmberg, Vice President of the Saami Council representing the Finnish Sámi Central Organization and one of the trainers in the on-going training on policy advocacy in the UN Convention on Biological Diversity processes, shared several tips pertaining to proper delivery of any statement during UN CBD meetings:

During the preparation, first, one must familiarize himself or herself with the documents of the certain item on the table. Second, he or she should identify the issues that are relevant to indigenous peoples and local communities (IPLCs). Third, he or she must consider actual texts that require improvement in relation to the issues of IPLCs. Next, he or she must point out the negative impacts of the texts to IPLCs and consider the kinds of safeguards that could address these.

In reading the statement or intervention, Aslak stressed the need to be brief in the introduction. The speaker must thank the meeting chair and mention who or which organization he or she is representing. Then, he or she must provide a brief overview of the item including the general thoughts about it of the organization he or she is representing. After that, the speaker must address any concerns and mention improvements that the organization represented would like to see. Aslak also pointed out that when there is a long text recommendation that cannot be delivered during one’s allotted speaking time, the person on behalf of the organization can still deliver the additional text recommendations in writing.

Involved with the International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity (IIFB), Aslak stressed additional key points to remember when delivering a statement: capture the listener, familiarize oneself with the texts to avoid being stuck with some strange words, and know the meaning behind the texts. The speaker must not read so fast and should enunciate his or her words clearly. He or she should look at the camera, enabling some kind of contact with the audience and sounding like he or she is telling his or her issues. The speaker must pay attention to intonation, as well, attempting not to be monotonic, practicing reading out loud in advance, and sticking to the allotted speaking time. If time is not enough, the speaker must not leave the most important point for last. Towards the end of the delivery, the speaker should add words, like finally, to grab the attention of the listeners. Then, the speaker ends his or her intervention by thanking the chair for giving him or her the floor.

Ms Joji Cariño, one of the indigenous experts engaging in the UN CBD processes who is also among the roster of trainers, offered additional pointers as regards crafting interventions. One is for advocates to bring in fresh words and ideas to the IIFB for further discussion. She added that those new to the process must not be intimidated by the others who may already have lengthy experience of doing advocacy work at the said level. More so, new comers must volunteer to be part of certain teams or working groups who are preparing these statements. Likewise, the new advocates can further advance the cause by citing relevant examples from their communities. 

The on-going training is being implemented jointly by the ELATIA Indigenous Peoples Training Institute and ILEPA with support from Nia Tero and Bread for the World.

The current cycle of the Indigenous Peoples Assistance Facility (IPAF) in Asia and the Pacific has been working towards the empowerment of indigenous peoples in designing and implementing their self-driven development initiatives, enhancing the capacity of Tebtebba as a regional hub, and improving indigenous peoples’ access to relevant knowledge. As of date, the IPAF-funded projects have varying levels of achievements and impacts as shared by the implementing organizations.

The IPAF-funded project implemented by Satunama Foundation in Indonesia supported indigenous women through the establishment of income generating activities. Indigenous women were organized in the villages and underwent training on coffee processing and product packaging. Through the project, processing equipment for coffee production were provided to the said indigenous women’s group.

“Today I visit Birun village for the last project monitoring. I'm happy to see that the women's group have already [sold] their coffee in the market. The facilities given by the IPAF project really helped them to initiate sustainable livelihood based on the local potency,” narrated Suharsih, project coordinator of Satunama Foundation.

The women group in Birun Village, organized thru the IPAF Project 2326, is now selling coffee products in the market. (Credits to Project 2326 Satunama Foundation, Indonesia)

Likewise, Ni-Vanuatu women of Santo Island in Vanuatu underwent a training-workshop on weaving through the IPAF-financed project implemented by Edenhope Foundation in partnership with Santo Sunset Environment Network, allowing them to maintain one of their traditional practices while promoting the use and propagation of pandanus, also known as screw palm or pandan, a dioecious plant native to the Pacific region. This women-focused project is building the capacity of Ni-Vanuatu women in financial management and small business establishment.

Around 70 Ni-Vanuatu women, thru the IPAF Project 2559, undertake training on weaving using pandanus plants. (Credits to project 2559 Edenhope Foundation, Vanuatu)

In Cambodia, the IPAF-funded project, Indigenous Peoples’ Rights to Food through Conservation of Indigenous Crops and Promotion of Traditional Farming, supported Highlanders Association to build a couple of community seed banks to preserve endangered indigenous seeds and crops, promoting their continuous propagation among indigenous peoples’ communities.

Construction of a seed bank is being supported by IPAF Project 2177 in Kambak Village promoting conservation of indigenous crops. (Credits to Project 2177 HA, Cambodia)

The Asia Young Indigenous Peoples Network, implementing the IPAF-supported project in the Philippines, organized a series of intergenerational learning activities, engaging indigenous youth to learn more about food preparation and traditional cuisines. 

With the learning workshops supported by the IPAF Project 2092, Igorot young women are learning how to prepare inandila, a native glutinous rice delicacy in the Cordillera. (Credits to Project 2092 AYIPN, Philippines)

With the support from IPAF, through Tebtebba, these projects aim to promote sustainable livelihood and continuous capacity building for a number of indigenous peoples’ groups. At the same time, the revival of indigenous knowledge and practices becomes a major strongpoint, recognizing various indigenous cultures and their crucial contribution in addressing several challenges and issues related to access to land, climate change, food security, and livelihood.

The IPAF is established in the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). The IPAF current cycle is supporting 11 projects in 9 countries in Asia and the Pacific. The implementation of the projects will be completed this year. 

[Banner picture: Credits to Project 2092 AYIPN, Philippines and Project 2559 Edenhope Foundation, Vanuatu]

The fifth global meeting of the Indigenous Peoples’ Forum at the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) took place on the 2^nd, 3^rd, 4^th, and 15^th day of February 2021 virtually. The meeting focused on the theme, “The Value of Indigenous Food Systems: Resilience in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic.” The international event was attended by 540 participants from the different indigenous peoples’ organizations, communities, and institutions along with members of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Peoples (UNFPII), representatives from IFAD and IFAD-funded projects, and several development partners.

One of the highlights of the global meeting is the Indigenous Peoples’ Week on 8 to 12 February 2021. During the Indigenous Peoples’ Week, an IPAF (Indigenous Peoples’ Assistance Facility) dedicated side event, entitled “Resilient Food Systems: Indigenous Youth Solutions in Times of COVID-19 Pandemic,” was organized on 9 February 2021 by IFAD in cooperation with the regional indigenous peoples’ organizations and implementing partners of IPAF-funded projects. The event showcased two (2) projects from the current IPAF cycle. From Asia, Pragati Koraput shared its achievements, challenges, and good practices from its IPAF-funded project, “Empowering Tribal Youth for Nutritional Food Security and Income Enhancement in Koraput District of South Odisha.” The project is being implemented in India and has contributed in enhancing the food security and nutrition of tribal communities in South Odisha. Likewise, new donors for the IPAF next cycle such as the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) were introduced and participated in the said event.

The Forum included an IFAD Indigenous Peoples Awards, a newly established event which acknowledged the contribution of different development projects, implemented by IFAD, IPAF, and various indigenous peoples’ organizations, engaging indigenous peoples in rural areas. The novel initiative aimed to showcase knowledge systems and pinpoint best practices that can be replicated to scale-up better results for future and on-going projects.

Under the Best performing IPAF-funded project category, finalists were the following: African Indigenous Women Organization Central African Network (Africa), Pragati Koraput (Asia), Centro de Estudios para el Desarrollo de Tarija (Latin America and the Caribbean), and Santo Sunset Environment Network (Pacific). The African Indigenous Women Organization Central African Network won the award.

The Forum culminated with the reading of the Synthesis of Deliberations which reiterated several recommendations for the United Nations Food Systems Summit, for IFAD, for governments, and indigenous peoples concerning the significance of recognizing, maintaining, and promoting indigenous knowledge, traditional practices, and food systems especially in the context of COVID-19 and its resulting impacts worldwide.

Participants called for “full, meaningful and effective participation in the planning and organization of the United Nations Food Systems Summit” while stressing the need for the “full recognition and protection of indigenous peoples’ rights to their lands, territories and resources.” They also called for “the involvement and meaningful participation of indigenous peoples, including women and youth, in the design, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of IFAD strategies and operations,” as they pointed out the importance of ensuring free, prior and informed consent (FPIC) before undertaking various initiatives.

As part of the resolutions of the said forum, participants committed to promote “coordination of indigenous organizations,” ensure “stronger networking and communication among indigenous peoples at all levels,” strengthen “partnerships with organizations of Afro-descendants,” and promote and facilitate “the participation, engagement and representation of indigenous youth, women and persons with disabilities.”

“Generally, the 5th Global Meeting went well though it was virtual because of the pandemic. What's good about it is the effective participation of Indigenous Peoples representatives from the various regions worldwide. IFAD committed to respond to the recommendations of indigenous peoples to ensure FPIC, disaggregation of data, and participation of indigenous peoples in IFAD operations in the country and regional levels,” observed Ruby Española, Tebtebba’s IPAF Coordinator.

Ruby Española, Tebtebba’s IPAF Coordinator

The Indigenous Peoples’ Forum, a specific initiative within the United Nations system, aims to enable indigenous peoples express their concerns, recommendations, and requests to further improve IFAD partnership and its corresponding “engagement with indigenous peoples” all over the world. The global Forum gathers every two years, with a series of regional conventions leading up to it, ensuring that the international meeting echoes the unique and diverse struggles, experiences, and recommendations of indigenous peoples from around the world.