Our Theory of Change
Forest Peoples Programme supports the rights of peoples who live in forests and depend on them for their livelihoods. Based on the core premise that the realisation of the right to self-determination of indigenous peoples and forest peoples is contingent on securing their rights to lands territories and resources, the following strategic approaches outline how we work:
- Our work is shaped by the priorities of the peoples and communities with whom we work in solidarity.
- We ensure that a power-equalising approach is hard-wired into our work with partners, to reinforce their power and agency, and facilitate access to technical support and direct funding.
- We combine local-level actions with international and national level advocacy work, acting in collaboration with partners, networks and other allies.
- We support forest peoples in their struggles to realise their rights, and to engage in platforms and political spaces to drive systems change.
Evidence shows us that…
Strong and resilient indigenous peoples and forest peoples are better able to assert, enjoy and defend their rights, decide their own futures, and transform socio-economic and legal systems that affect them.
Indigenous peoples’ and forest peoples’ rights can only be realised if the existing global economic system, and responses to climate and biodiversity crises, are prevented from violating their rights and ensure diverse and just local economies to flourish.
Robust legal systems and legislative frameworks can guarantee respect for indigenous peoples’ and forest peoples’ human rights and deliver justice.
Indigenous peoples and forest peoples who are connected in strong, diverse, and resilient networks are better able to work in solidarity towards collective aims, learn from each other, and demand that rights be respected at all levels.
On the back of this evidence, and according to the preceding strategic approaches, the outcomes we seek to achieve and the actions by which we seek to reach them, are set out below.
Outcome 1: Strong Peoples and Communities
Resilient and self-governing indigenous peoples and forest peoples living in, sustaining, defending, and effectively controlling, their lands, territories and resources, with the power to assert their rights, maintain and strengthen their cultures, and inclusively decide their own futures.
In support of this outcome we:
- Provide technical expertise and resources to strengthen indigenous peoples’ and forest peoples’ territorial governance and secure their own means of subsistence and livelihoods.
- Provide legal support and training.
- Advocate for their participation in local/national decision-making and the right to free prior and informed consent.
- Assist partners to maximize their resilience, independence and impact.
- Enable communities to mobilise, heal and unite to assert their human rights in response to divisive forces.
- Support the documentation, transmission and renewal of traditional knowledge.
Outcome 2: Just, Diverse and Sustainable Economies
Transformed and just global and national economic systems enabling flourishing local economies and livelihoods, reflecting cultural diversity, realising human rights, delivering equity and gender justice, and respecting ecological limits.
In support of this outcome we:
- Advocate for respect for human rights by corporations, investors, states, and conservation actors, and document evidence of human rights abuses caused by those actors.
- Shape global policy processes on business conduct, biodiversity, climate protection, and development.
- Drive enforcement of voluntary industry frameworks, corporate accountability laws and conservation standards.
- Support indigenous peoples and forest peoples to establish the conditions for, and share and implement learnings on, sustainable livelihoods, food systems and local economies.
Outcome 3: Effective, Accessible and Just Legal Systems
Legal and justice systems at all levels, including customary legal systems, that respect, protect and fulfil indigenous peoples’ and forest peoples’ individual and collective human rights, including the rights of women and girls, and deliver access to justice.
In support of this outcome we:
- Advocate for human rights-based policy and legal reform at national and international levels.
- Enable the strategic use of a wide range of judicial and non-judicial mechanisms to uphold collective territorial rights and address criminalization and violence.
- Ensure legal strategies are rooted in indigenous peoples’ and forest peoples’ visions and directed by them.
- Work to empower indigenous peoples and forest peoples to demand respect for their own legal systems and laws.
Outcome 4: Resilient Networks and Movements
Diverse, resilient and respectful allies working in solidarity to advance the realisation of the rights of indigenous peoples and forest peoples at all levels from inter-community networks to global platforms.
In support of this outcome we:
- advocate for systems that provide more direct and accessible funding to indigenous peoples and forest peoples, modelling that approach via Forest Visions and supporting partners to become direct grantees;
- enable forest peoples to connect, including via women-led assemblies, to share lessons and inspire action;
- support existing indigenous caucuses and policy networks, as well as the formation of new partner-led platforms to influence policy formation and implementation;
- provide rapid response assistance to help protect and defend land/human rights defenders;
- amplify the voices and stories of indigenous peoples and forest peoples, and inspire wider learning and policy change via academic articles, case studies, publications, video, podcasts and flagship publications.