FSC Indigenous Foundation

We are a global organization created by and for Indigenous Peoples that seeks to provide long-term solutions supporting Indigenous communities worldwide.

Who we are

Portrait of an Indigenous Russian woman next to her sled.

We seek to connect Indigenous rights, self-development, and responsible resources management approaches to Indigenous Peoples forest-nature-climate-based solutions.

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Portrait of Indigenous women from Myanmar with their traditional attire

We promote the full and effective participation of Indigenous Peoples in the caretaking of forests, nature, and territories based on their own systems, rights, and ancestral knowledge.

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Portrait of a young indigenous Guaraní person in the jungle of Brazil

We want to generate innovative opportunities to connect economic self-development, responsible forest stewardship, and climate action driven by the vision, values, knowledge, ancestral practices, and rights of Indigenous Peoples.

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Transforming the world through:

Indigenous Cultural Landscapes Designing and promoting Indigenous Cultural Landscapes 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 Developing Indigenous-led grantmaking instruments to promote Indigenous-led funding management by balancing learning-by-doing and de-risking management approaches.

Indigenous Capacity Development Engaging multi-sectoral partners to develop and facilitate capacity development and social learning exchange with Indigenous and non-Indigenous stakeholders.

Indigenous Advocacy & Visibility Facilitating multi-sector dialogues and collaboration at national, regional, and cross-regional levels to incorporate and influence Indigenous interests.

Mission

The FSC Indigenous Foundation, led by Indigenous Peoples, aims to defend the rights of Indigenous Peoples by safeguarding their traditional knowledge, authority, and practices to protect the forests of Mother Earth. The Foundation recognizes Indigenous Peoples as the legitimate guardians of sacred landscapes that cover a quarter of the planet, and affirms the alignment of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)’s mission with the Foundation’s values of living in harmony with Mother Earth and defending her.

Vision

The Foundation envisions a future in which the rights of Indigenous Peoples are fully respected. Through solutions and actions led by Indigenous Peoples themselves in all regions, we will promote the self-determined well-being of Indigenous Peoples and the integration of their wisdom on a global scale to protect and care for the forests of Mother Earth.

Role of the Secretariat

Our latest news

International Day for Biological Diversity

Indigenous Peoples Are Essential to Protecting Biodiversity

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Indigenous Leadership and the Need for Synergy Across the Rio Conventions

A Call for Integrated Action on Climate, Biodiversity, and Land Crises

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April News and Highlights

Indigenous voices in Chiang Mai, Oaxaca, Yeosu, New York, and Bonn.

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Panama-Mexico Community of Practice

Exchange among Indigenous Peoples and the Development of Nature-Based Economic Models

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See our latest news

Strategic partnerships:

Indigenous People's Organizations

National Governments

Donors, International Cooperation Agencies and International Organizations

Private Sector

NGOs

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Be part of the movement that champions Indigenous knowledge as a powerful solution for climate action—your support can drive real change for people and the planet!

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