Washington, DC, 05 March 2026 — Forest Trends’ Communities and Territorial Governance Initiative (CTGI), with support from the Walmart Foundation, announced a new phase of work to strengthen the equitable and effective inclusion of Indigenous Peoples, Local Communities, and Afro-descendant Peoples (IPs, LCs, & ADs) in jurisdictional climate finance, with a focus on scaling and accelerating Jurisdictional REDD+ (JREDD+) programs in Brazil and Mexico.
Building on work conducted from 2023 to 2025, this project will continue to deepen efforts to improve governance, transparency, and rights-based participation in jurisdictional financing mechanisms.
Key Elements of Phase 2:
- “Principles for Effective Engagement”: Co-developed with IP, LC, and AD representatives, governments, and technical partners, these new principles will provide clear, practical guidance for inclusive, transparent, and rights-based climate finance.
- Inclusive consultation framework: This framework will contribute to strengthening consultation processes, guaranteeing that IPs, LCs, and ADs are recognized as co-designers of current and future climate finance strategies that reflect their cultural values and governance systems, with pilot testing to ensure adaptability across regions.
- Strategic technical assistance: Targeted support will strengthen the capacity of governments and IP, LC, and AD leadership, including women and youth, in climate finance, governance, Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC), and fair and equitable benefit sharing to support long-term, community-led outcomes that benefit the jurisdictions as a whole.
- Global learning through evidence and analysis: A second edition of the State of Climate and Conservation Finance for Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities report will deepen analysis of global finance flows, governance frameworks, and access for IPs, LCs and ADs.
- Knowledge sharing through case studies and storytelling: Case studies and stories will document effective, inclusive engagement of IPs, LCs, and ADs, supporting learning, replication, and improved practice across regions.
By institutionalizing co-governance models and strengthening the capacity of local communities, Forest Trends envisions a future where IPs, LCs, & ADs are central to climate decision making at all levels. The project’s long-term impact will be evident in the creation of equitable, transparent systems for forest protection and sustainable development that fully integrate the knowledge, rights, and priorities of the communities that are most affected by climate change.
“Supporting more inclusive and effective climate finance is essential to delivering lasting outcomes for forests and the people who steward them,” said Simon Hall, Director of the Walmart Foundation. “This grant to Forest Trends aims to support meaningful collaboration between governments and local communities to help strengthen and accelerate high-integrity jurisdictional climate finance for people and nature.”
“Forest Trends has been at the forefront of promoting rights-based climate finance for over two decades,” said Beto Borges, Director of Forest Trends’ Communities and Territorial Governance Initiative. “With the Walmart Foundation’s continued support, we are scaling our work to ensure that jurisdictional REDD+ programs are not only effective in reducing emissions but also fair and just for the communities whose land and livelihoods are central to their success.”
###
Forest Trends is a civil society organization that works to conserve forests and natural ecosystems by promoting nature-based solutions, sustainable economies, and climate justice. Through its Communities and Territorial Governance Initiative (CTGI), Forest Trends has worked for over two decades in partnership with Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities to strengthen territorial governance, cultural preservation, and equitable access to climate finance. CTGI has a strong presence across Latin America and extensive experience in pioneering projects that intersect conservation, forest-based economies, and community leadership.
The research and products to come from this work will be made possible through funding by Walmart Foundation. The findings, conclusions, and recommendations to be presented are those of Forest Trends alone, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Walmart Foundation.
Walmart.org represents the philanthropic efforts of Walmart and the Walmart Foundation. By leaning in where our business has unique strengths, we work to tackle key social issues and collaborate with others to spark long-lasting systemic change. Walmart has stores in 19 countries, employing more than 2 million associates and doing business with thousands of suppliers who, in turn, employ millions of people. Walmart.org is helping people live better by supporting programs that work to accelerate upward job mobility for frontline workers, address hunger and make healthier, more sustainably-grown food a reality, and build strong communities where Walmart operates. To learn more, visit www.walmart.org or find us on Twitter @walmartorg.