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Indigenous Peoples

Building a more inclusive, sustainable future

It is estimated that there are more than 476 million self-identified indigenous people in some 90 countries around the world. But, far too often, they continue to face discrimination and their voices continue to go unheard.

Indigenous peoples have been dispossessed of their lands, territories and resources over centuries and, as a result, have often lost control over their way of life. Worldwide, they account for 6 per cent of the population, but represent more than 18 per cent of those living in extreme poverty.

Invaluable knowledge for a changing planet

Indigenous peoples have a special role to play in the conservation and sustainable management of natural resources. Their in-depth, varied, and locally rooted knowledge can help the world adapt to and mitigate the consequences of climate change. 

Indigenous peoples have unique food systems anchored in sustainable livelihood practices, which are adapted to the specific ecosystems of their territories.

Indigenous women, in particular, are full of untapped potential as stewards of natural resources and biodiversity. They are guardians of cultural diversity and peace brokers in conflict resolution.

At a community level and on the world stage

In line with the Sustainable Development Goals, the UN’s pledge to “leave no one behind”, and the framework of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, IFAD supports indigenous peoples’ self-driven development through projects that build their culture, identity, knowledge, natural resources, intellectual property, and human rights.

Since 2007, the Indigenous Peoples Assistance Facility (IPAF) has financed small grants of up to US$50,000 for projects that are designed and implemented by indigenous peoples’ communities to improve their well-being based on their worldview and aspirations.

In 2009, IFAD’s Executive Board approved the Policy on Engagement with Indigenous Peoples. It aims to enhance IFAD’s development effectiveness with rural indigenous peoples’ communities and to empower them to overcome poverty by building upon their identity and culture.

To convert policy commitments into action, the Indigenous Peoples' Forum at IFAD promotes dialogue and consultation among indigenous peoples' organizations and institutions, IFAD staff, and Member States. The Forum helps set the strategic direction for IFAD’s engagement with indigenous peoples, especially indigenous women and youth.

Whether preserving cultural heritage or adapting to climate change, IFAD is guided by the principle of free, prior, and informed consent. In this way, indigenous peoples’ knowledge and community-driven development is reflected in projects, country strategies, and policy dialogues.

This participatory approach creates strong, trusting partnerships between IFAD, indigenous peoples’ organizations, the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, the Inter-Agency Support Group on Indigenous Peoples’ Issues, and like-minded organizations that support indigenous peoples.

Spotlight

Spotlight

How agrobiodiversity can nourish the planet

For our people and planet to flourish, we need agrobiodiversity: agricultural systems that enhance our wealth of ecosystems and living beings instead of diminishing it. Our work has long recognized the importance of agrobiodiversity for sustainable food systems, and now we’re taking this commitment even further.

Projects

Projects

Philippines

Rural Agro-enterprise Partnerships for Inclusive Development and Growth (RAPID)

Brazil

Policy Coordination and Dialogue for Reducing Poverty and Inequalities in Semi-Arid North-east Brazil

Kenya

Kenya Livestock Commercialization Project

Experts

Asset Publisher

Lorenzo Del Castillo

Consultant - Indigenous Peoples, Environment, Climate, Gender and Social Inclusion Division, IFAD

l.delcastillo@ifad.org

Margherita Loddoni

Environment, Climate, Gender and Social Inclusion Division, IFAD

m.loddoni@ifad.org

Karla Pita Vidal

Consultant (Indigenous Peoples)

k.pitavidal@ifad.org

Ilaria Firmian

Lead Technical Specialist - Indigenous Peoples and Tribal Issues

i.firmian@ifad.org

Stories and news

Stories and news

Rural people rely on biodiversity. Here's how IFAD protects it

May 2023 - STORY
Biodiversity is especially important for small-scale farmers. Here’s how IFAD is further integrating it into projects all over the world.

IFAD project helps preserve the Brazilian Amazon Rainforest and improve communities' lives

May 2023 - NEWS
IFAD and the government of the state of Maranhão launched today a project that seeks to address the pressing issue of environmental degradation of the Amazon Forest in Maranhão and the high rates of poverty and food insecurity in the region - the “Amazon Sustainable Management Project (PAGES).”

Five tips for journalists reporting on Indigenous Peoples

May 2023 - STORY
Journalists can play an important role in telling the stories of Indigenous Peoples. Here are five ways in which the media can report on these important communities in a meaningful way.  

Behind the scenes of an IFAD project: Your top questions answered

April 2023 - STORY
Find out what happens behind the scenes of an IFAD project as we answer our followers’ top questions.

Related videos

Indigenous Peoples View more link

Related publications

Related publications

Indigenous Peoples and the United Nations' Rome-based Agencies working together to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals

February 2023
Achieving a Zero Hunger world (SDG 2) is at the heart of the mandates of the three Rome-based UN agencies: FAO, IFAD and WFP.

Assessment of the performance of the fifth Indigenous Peoples Assistance Facility cycle: Summary

February 2023
This assessment reviews the performance of regional partners and documents the results of Indigenous Peoples Assistance Facility (IPAF) funded projects between 2018 and 2021.

The Free, Prior and Informed Consent Advantage: Action for empowerment in Latin America

August 2022
This publication explores how FPIC is solicited through consultation and the participation of communities and local institutions at specific stages of the project cycle.

Related documents