Global leaders and climate activists convened in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt from November 6-18 for the United Nations’ Conference of Parties (COP27), the world’s preeminent climate summit.
Amongst those in attendance were representatives from the Rainforest Foundation family (RFF): Rainforest Foundation Norway (RFN), Rainforest Foundation US (RFUS), and Rainforest Foundation UK (RFUK).
The RFF has been working steadfastly to ensure more financing reaches the indigenous peoples and local communities directly fighting the climate crisis. In September, the three executive directors and leadership from the Global Alliance of Territorial Communities’ (GATC), the foremost grouping of representative indigenous peoples organizations globally, introduced the “Shandia Platform,” a direct financing mechanism for indigenous peoples and local communities across the tropical belt. That event was hosted by the Ford Foundation as part of New York City’s Climate Week NYC in September, drawing over 150 attendees.
At COP27, the organizations deepened this dialogue by co-presenting successful direct funding mechanisms, concrete recommendations to increase transparency and accessibility, and to build local capacity with representatives from indigenous and allied organizations, including the GATC. Representatives from Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico, and the Democratic Republic of Congo also provided insights as to what needs to be funded, emphasizing participatory mapping, land titling, and local land use planning as priorities for IPLC empowerment.