Transformative pathways: indigenous peoples and local communities leading and scaling up conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity

State of implementation/results

• The Project is now in its fourth year of implementation and now has a new project partner, PACOS Trust, which is implementing the project in Malaysia.
• National partners are supporting indigenous and local communities in biodiversity conservation activities (such as reforestation, repopulation of native animal and plant species, heirloom seed exchanges and seed banks, prevention of land degradation and recovery of land and biodiversity), development and implementation of community life plans, cultural revitalisation, engagement with stakeholders in relation to communities‘ land rights and nature protection.
• Community mapping and biodiversity monitoring programmes are ongoing and communities receive training and accompaniment in monitoring activities, including from ICCS at the University of Oxford, who has also been developing capacity-building materials and technical guidance documents, available in several languages on the project website.
• Transformative Pathways website and newsletter present articles and publications from project partners in five languages - English, Spanish, Thai, Swahili and Ilocano. Some of the training materials are also available in French. Additional functions such as interactive maps and training materials depository are being developed.
• The project supports participation of indigenous representatives at global and regional meetings related to CBD processes and organises side-events to highlight the importance of indigenous peoples’ contribution to biodiversity conservation.
• Representatives of several Transformative Pathways partners participated in the IUCN World Conservation Congress in Abu Dabi in October 2025. Reimagining Conservation Pavilion brought indigenous representatives together with conservationists to discuss the need to challenge old paradigms and build on common ground to open up new possibilities for people and nature. In addition, Transformative Pathways was the main focus of a dedicated session, “Supporting rights and equity in practice”.
• AIPP continues to grow the Asia regional learning hub for Indigenous Peoples on biodiversity and climate by organizing regional conferences.
• From 22 to 31 May, AIPP amplified over 60 powerful voices of Indigenous Peoples - including Youth, Children, and Women - across the region, with 74% of these voices coming from Indigenous women and girls. This was done as part of the annual celebration of the International Day for Biodiversity online campaign under the project. This milestone was made possible through collaboration with 32 Organizations and Networks, including 6 Indigenous Youth networks and 4 Indigenous Women’s networks.

Latest Update:
12/2025

Further links

• Guidance document: Ensuring the sustainability of customary use on Indigenous and community-held lands – guidance document
• Guidance document: Conservation and human rights: an introduction
• Film: Constructing Autonomy – Stories of Indigenous Governance in Peru (ES with English subtitles)
• Article: Now is the time for conservationists to stand up for social justice
• Film: Mapping and Monitoring in Indigenous Territories (English, Spanish, Indonesian, Swahili, Thai)
• Guidance document: Introduction to community-based environmental monitoring
• Article: ‘Participatory’ conservation research involving indigenous peoples and local communities: Fourteen principles for good practice
• Article: International Day for Biodiversity, AIPP online campaign
• Article: World Indigenous Day 2025 marked by Ogiek of Chepkitale
• Publication: Enabling conditions for conservation on Indigenous and community lands
• Article: UNEP-WCMC blog about "Environmental action that respects the rights of all"