International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples

While indigenous peoples make up only 5% of the global population, they protect as much as 80% of our planet's biodiversity.

Indigenous communities are often at the forefront of environmental protection, utilising their knowledge and practices in order to counteract the effects of environmental degradation on ecosystems and communities.

To celebrate the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples on August 9th, we share the inspiring work of just two members of the Spring Prize community below. 

Indigenous Climate Action and the African Biodiversity Network are just two of the indigenous-lead Spring Prize projects that are committed to social and environmental regeneration. To discover and learn about others visit ​springprize.org

Launched by Ethical Consumer and Lush in 2016, ​The Spring Prize is a biennial £200,000 prize fund and other support activities that aims to build capacity for those repairing the earth’s damaged systems.

The Spring Prize celebrates projects around the world that are increasing the capacity of communities and societies to thrive in harmony with nature and each other. 

Indigenous Climate Action, ​2017 Young Projects Award

Indigenous Climate Action (ICA) inspires Indigenous-led climate justice work and supports Indigenous communities to be drivers of climate solutions. By equipping communities with tools, education and resources, it seeks to ensure that Indigenous knowledge is driving climate solutions that work for everyone.

They believe that Indigenous knowledge is essential to mitigate and address climate change and their goal is to ensure that climate change policies and strategies include the voices and knowledge of Indigenous peoples.

ICA believes that true climate justice ensures that solutions of the future honour the past while

upholding the legal and cultural foundations of Indigenous people’s rights. You can learn more about ICA’s important work by visiting them at indigenousclimateaction.com
 

African Biodiversity Network, ​2018 Influence Award

The African Biodiversity Network (ABN) was established in the late 1990s, through the ‘African Group’ of policy-influencers, registering as a Trust in Kenya in 2010.

It now has 36 active partners in 12 countries across Africa, and has incubated a number of important regional initiatives, including the Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa (AFSA).

ABN grew out of a commitment to nurture a new leadership in Africa, dedicated to enhancing biological and cultural diversity, and social and ecological justice. It uses exchange programs, training and knowledge-sharing to strengthen rights, policy and legislation.

A particular focus of its work is the empowerment of indigenous and local communities across Africa to revive their bio-cultural diversity and protect their sacred natural sites and territories (SNS&T).

To find out more about ABN’s work visit them at ​africanbiodiversity.org