Indigenous Peoples Assistance Facility
IPAF is a funding instrument for indigenous communities to develop solutions to the challenges they face.
Indigenous Peoples - IFAD
Indigenous Peoples
28%
of land is owned, managed or used by Indigenous Peoples
of land is owned, managed or used by Indigenous Peoples
6 million
Indigenous Peoples participate in IFAD projects
Indigenous Peoples participate in IFAD projects
41%
of IFAD’s portfolio targets Indigenous Peoples
of IFAD’s portfolio targets Indigenous Peoples
©IFAD/Giancarlo Shibayama/Factstory
With their traditional knowledge and deep connection to their environments, Indigenous Peoples are the guardians of biodiversity and ecosystems. Yet they are also among the world's most vulnerable, marginalized and disadvantaged groups.
Context
There are more than 476 million self-identified indigenous people worldwide, spread across 90 countries. Far too often, they face discrimination and their voices go unheard.
Indigenous Peoples have been dispossessed of their lands, territories and resources over centuries. As a result, they are losing control over their way of life. They make up six per cent of the world’s population but account for over 18 per cent of those living in extreme poverty.
Indigenous Peoples have contributed little to climate change and biodiversity loss, yet they are disproportionately affected by their impacts. They depend on ecosystems that are particularly vulnerable to climate change and extreme weather events, such as floods and droughts
Opportunities
Indigenous Peoples are the custodians of invaluable knowledge for a changing planet. They have a special role to play in conserving and sustainably managing natural resources. Their in-depth and local knowledge can help us all adapt to and mitigate climate change and biodiversity loss.
Indigenous Peoples have sustainable and nutritious food systems rooted in traditional ways of managing the land and its resources. Indigenous women in particular are guardians of biodiversity and cultural diversity, and are peace brokers in conflict resolution.
Despite facing many challenges, Indigenous youth champion their way of life. Supporting them to innovate, diversify and market their products can uphold quality and protect biodiversity in food systems.
What IFAD does
In line with the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, IFAD supports Indigenous Peoples’ self-driven development. Our projects strengthen their culture, identity, knowledge, natural resources, intellectual property and human rights.
- IFAD’s Policy on Engagement with Indigenous Peoples sees Indigenous Peoples as equal partners. Together, we co-create strategies and investments based on their perspectives. For example, IFAD hires Indigenous experts to design projects that focus on climate and Indigenous Peoples.
- The Indigenous Peoples' Forum at IFAD provides strategic direction and policy oversight for IFAD’s engagement with Indigenous Peoples. It promotes dialogue and consultation among Indigenous Peoples’ organizations, IFAD staff and Member States.
- The Indigenous Peoples Assistance Facility finances small grants for projects that are designed and implemented by Indigenous Peoples.
- IFAD is guided by the principle of free, prior, and informed consent. This ensures mutual respect, and the full and effective participation of Indigenous Peoples in decision-making.
- IFAD creates partnerships between Indigenous Peoples’ organizations, the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues the Inter-Agency Support Group on Indigenous Peoples' Issues and others.
Experts
Ilaria Firmian
Senior Technical Specialist, Indigenous Peoples and Tribal Issues
[email protected]Lorenzo Del Castillo
Consultant - Indigenous Peoples, Environment, Climate, Gender and Social Inclusion Division, IFAD
[email protected]Karla Pita Vidal
Consultant (Indigenous Peoples)
[email protected]Margherita Loddoni
Technical Specialist, Environment, Climate, Gender and Social Inclusion Division
[email protected]