The ELATIA Indigenous Peoples’ Training Institute, in partnership with the Indigenous Livelihoods Enhancement Partners (ILEPA), commenced a virtual training program for second-generation indigenous leaders on January 2021. The training on policy advocacy aims to equip young indigenous men and women with the necessary knowledge and skills for effective engagement in the different political processes on the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (UN CBD), United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNCBD), and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This program also aims to sustain indigenous peoples’ advocacy at various levels in the areas of biological diversity, climate change, and sustainable development.

The first in the series of advocacy training conducted through virtual platforms focused on the UNCBD, the event was participated in by twenty-six (26) participants nominated from ELATIA and Nia Tero partners and from other indigenous peoples’ organizations around the world.

Four renowned indigenous experts on the UN CBD composed the training team namely, Joji Cariño of the Forest Peoples Programme, Viviana Figueroa of International Consultancy on Indigenous Peoples, Traditional Knowledge and Biodiversity, Jennifer Tauli Corpuz of Nia Tero, and Aslak Holmberg of the Saami Council. There were also individual experts who were invited as resource persons during the synchronous discussions. They were accompanied by their co-facilitators, helping them ran the session, both synchronously and asynchronously. The said co-facilitators also had experiences in engaging the different mechanisms of the UN CBD.

The participants were required to prepare their own advocacy plans considering the important elements of the UN CBD relevant to indigenous peoples and local communities, as part of the training. Participants whose advocacy plan get selected will be supported to implement their advocacy plans and will also have a chance to experience actual policy advocacy in future UN CBD processes.

Supported by Nia Tero and Bread for the World, two upcoming advocacy trainings will be on the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UN FCCC) and UN Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs).

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 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.