Forest Guardians - Strengthening Technical and Institutional Capacities of Indigenous Peoples for Forest Protection in Brazil

Increasing ambition in tropical forest conservation is necessary to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement and the Global Biodiversity Framework. The project strengthens the capacities of indigenous groups in two pilot areas to better protect their territories through participatory monitoring systems, inclusive socio-bioeconomic concepts and needs-oriented political and technical capacities. Advising indigenous organisations on setting up efficient reporting chains and needs-based support and participation of women promotes the protection of indigenous territories. Women-led socio-bioeconomic projects receive advice and improved access to financing mechanisms. The local experiences are systematized together with indigenous organizations and made available to the authorities and indigenous organizations at national and regional levels for their strategic planning and implementation. The improved capacities at local level ensure the long-term use of the results.

Project data

Countries: Brazil
IKI funding: 3,500,000.00 €
Duration: 11/2024 till 10/2028
Status: open
Implementing organisation: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH
Political Partner: Ministry for Indigenous Peoples (MPI) - Brazil
Implementing Partner: National Foundation for Indigenous Peoples (FUNAI)

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State of implementation/results

09/24: Pre-selection of pilot sites for project implementation, together with the Brazilian Ministry of Indigenous Peoples (Ministério dos Povos Indígenas, MPI) and the National Foundation for Indigenous Peoples (Fundação Nacional do Índio, FUNAI).
11/24: Opening event to kick off the new initiative “Strengthening Indigenous Peoples in Brazil”, composed of the projects “Forest Guardians” (commissioned by the German Federal Foreign Office (Auswärtiges Amt, AA) under the International Climate Initiative - IKI) and “Indigenous Rights and Territories” (commissioned by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (Bundesministerium für Wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung, BMZ).
03/25: Consultation with communities from the indigenous territory Xerente/Funil (Tocantins) was held, to present and discuss the project and obtain their consent for its implementation. In 08/25 a consultation with indigenous communities from Urubu Branco (Mato Grosso) was held. Both territories were confirmed as project pilot sites.
Since 03/25: Development of a culturally appropriate consultation protocol for the Indigenous territory Xerente/Funil, in close cooperation with indigenous academics and in accordance with the concept of free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC) of indigenous peoples.
08/25: Promotion of the participation of 30 women from the indigenous territories Xerente/Funil and Urubu Branco during the 4th of March event and the 1st Conference of Indigenous Women in Brasília, enhancing. The events reinforced the visibility of their agendas and their participation in political decision-making processes.
09/25: Support of the XIV Krahô Seed Fair, strengthening the circulation of traditional seeds among indigenous territories of the region. First joint planning workshop with project partners and representatives from the indigenous territories Xerente/Funil and Urubu Branco.

Latest Update:
12/2025