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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

[email protected]

Karla Pita Vidal

Consultant (Indigenous Peoples)

[email protected]

Ilaria Firmian

Lead Technical Specialist - Indigenous Peoples and Tribal Issues

[email protected]

Margherita Loddoni

Environment, Climate, Gender and Social Inclusion Division, IFAD

[email protected]

Stories and news

Stories and news

The Indigenous Peoples stewarding the planet - Episode 65 

August 2024 - PODCAST

To mark International Day of the World's Indigenous People, we shine a spotlight on Indigenous Peoples’ essential role in building a sustainable future.

The three types of biodiversity: explained

April 2024 - STORY

Genetic, species, ecosystem: learn about the three main types of biodiversity and explore the role each plays in making agriculture productive, nutritious and resilient.

Pueblos Indígenas de América Latina y el Caribe trazan la ruta para fortalecer su soberanía y seguridad alimentaria mediante las inversiones del FIDA

September 2024 - NEWS

Tras dos días de fructíferos diálogos, el FIDA ha recibido las recomendaciones de líderes representativos de los Pueblos Indígenas en América Latina y el Caribe, para garantizar con una nueva ruta de trabajo común su participación plena y efectiva en las decisiones de inversión que el Fondo y los gobiernos realizan en la región.

Jóvenes innovando la América Latina rural - Edición especial

August 2024 - PODCAST

En esta edición especial en español, exploramos cómo los jóvenes rurales e indígenas de América Latina utilizan la tecnología para promover su cultura y la conservación ambiental.

Related videos

Indigenous Peoples View more link

Related publications

Related publications

Indigenous Peoples’ Food Systems: Lessons Learned from the SAMRIDDHI Rural Enterprises and Remittances Project in Nepal

July 2024

This brief presents the lessons learned the Nepal SAMRIDDHI Rural Enterprises and Remittances Project.

The Indigenous Peoples Assistance Facility (IPAF) - Assessment of the performance of the fourth IPAF cycle

February 2019
In 2017 IFAD commissioned an assessment of the fourth IPAF cycle with the aim to review and analyse the performance of regional partners in implementing the Facility and the results achieved in the execution of IPAF-funded projects between 2015 and 2018.

Myanmar: Country Technical Note on Indigenous Peoples’ Issues

October 2022

Myanmar is one of the most ethnically and culturally diverse countries in the Asian region, and ethnicity is a complex, contested, and politically sensitive issue in the country where ethnic groups have long believed that successive governments of Myanmar manipulate ethnic groups for political purposes.

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