Mesoamerican Territorial Fund (FTM)

??? Indigenous and local community women have always been and will continue to be?guardians of the balance between life and the Earth. Since ancestral times, they have sustained our communities with?wisdom, strength, and vision. Their knowledge, deeply woven into the land, has not only preserved our history but also shapes the present and paves the way for a?more just and dignified future. Today and everyday we honor their?leadership, struggle, and legacy. Because their resistance is our root, their actions drive change, and their voices shape our future. ????? #ClimateJustice #GenderEquality #directfinancing

?? Building Together the Finance We Want A few weeks ago, we gathered in?Alter do Ch?o, Brazil, with funds from the Shandia platform of the?Global Alliance of Territorial Communities (GATC)?and allies from around the world. Beyond our discussions, we also visited local initiatives, learning firsthand from the experiences and solutions led by communities on the ground. We want to share some of the key takeaways from this gathering with you.?Swipe through to see how we continue moving forward together.???? #DirectFinance #IndigenousLeadership #CommunityDrivenSolutions #InvestInLifeNOW

"Too often, climate change and biodiversity priorities are defined by global and national interests and their processes do not include land-connected communities. In contrast, these funds provide new opportunities for funders to invest directly in IP and LC organizations, shift power imbalances that have been historically embedded in philanthropy and international cooperation programs, and set a new model for how communities and funders can work together toward their shared goals" Mesoamerican Territorial Fund (FTM) María Pía Hernández Palacios Ford Foundation #biodiversity #climateaction

???Living from the forest, protecting the future??? This story is part of a?series of success stories?we documented across?Mesoamerica?to amplify the work of communities protecting and managing their forests. It’s a clear example that when?funding goes directly to the territory, entire communities benefit. In?Yamaranguila, Honduras, the?El Palizal Cooperative?demonstrates that sustainable forest management is possible. Through the?3x1 method—for every tree cut, three are planted—they ensure conservation while strengthening their community. Their nursery, run by women, cultivates?gavilea, pine, and tatascán, securing the future of the forest and the families who depend on it. With over?30 members and 150 indirect beneficiaries, this cooperative is a pillar of employment and sustainability. Through our?Mesoamerican Territorial Fund, we support their efforts so that more young people can find opportunities in their own communities, without the need to migrate. ??? ???Read the full story at????? ?https://lnkd.in/e569-SfS Global Alliance of Territorial Communities

This week has been filled with powerful exchanges, learning, and collaboration! ???? We visited Coroca, a community-led conservation area where we learned about their Amazonian turtle hatchery, melipona honey production, and palm handicrafts. This visit, organized by Fondo Dema, highlighted how community funds can drive sustainable social and environmental development. We also engaged in deep discussions on territorial governance, fund management, and climate finance, sharing experiences on how funds like the us, Podáali Fundo Indígena da Amaz?nia Brasileira, NUSANTARA FUND and others support our Indigenous and local-led solutions. ?? Key takeaway for this week: Our funds must align with movement agendas while maintaining their technical, financial, and accountability roles. Clarity in function, transparency, and capacity-building are essential to their success. A huge thank you to Ford Foundation,?the leaders, partners, and other allies who contributed to these crucial conversations. Your commitment keeps us moving forward! ??? #InvestInLifeNow #DirectFinancing

??Although we're already in February, we don’t want to miss the chance to share with you the milestones of 2024 from our?Mesoamerican Territorial Fund (FTM). This is a key year to continue highlighting and showing the world how?Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities?continue to lead as the true guardians of our forests, mangroves, and oceans. Throughout 2024, we've demonstrated our ability to manage resources, achieve tangible results, and have a direct impact on our communities, thanks to the efforts of youth, women, men, and elders working tirelessly to protect our territories every day. We’ll soon be sharing success stories that reflect the impact of our collective efforts. ???? Check out the carousel below for more details on our impact in Mesoamerica. Supporting our work is supporting the future of our planet! #WeAreForestsofpeople #InvestInLifeNow #DirectFunding

?? Our technical and administrative team is proud to participate in the?Brazil Dialogue and Learning Exchange: Strengthening Indigenous and Local Community-led Funds, taking place?February 10–14, 2025, in Alter do Ch?o, Pará, Brazil. ???? This important gathering brings together?Indigenous Peoples and Local Community-led funds from the Shandia platform of the Global Alliance of Territorial Communities, along with other funds from around the world, to?exchange knowledge, foster mutual support, and develop strategies to increase our collective impact. We will engage in deep discussions on?territorial governance, fund management, youth & women's leadership, and advancing philanthropic efforts, reinforcing our commitment to?local leadership and community-driven solutions. The insights and strategies from this exchange will help us overcome challenges, gain greater clarity in our mission, and?strengthen our collective path toward sustainable and just solutions. A special thanks to?Spring and Ford Foundation?for making these essential spaces possible. Their support is key to strengthening our shared efforts to build a more just and sustainable future for our communities. ?? ???

When Indigenous peoples and local communities (IP and LC) have secure rights and adequate resources to manage their lands, they are able to continue traditional practices that are invaluable in addressing climate change. More than a third of the world’s intact forests are located on IP and LC’s land—yet less than 1% of global climate funding reaches them directly. That’s why IP and LCs have begun launching their own ambitious funds and grantmaking programs. These leaders—many of them Ford grantees—are harnessing their expertise to channel financial resources directly toward communities working to strengthen collective tenure rights, protect forests, advance gender equity, promote food security, and more. #IndigenousFinance #ForestTenure #ClimateAction #ClimateFinance Learn more: https://lnkd.in/dqn53yQS

?? For over 15 years, our Mesoamerican Alliance of Peoples and Forests (AMPB) has united Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities to protect forests, oceans, and mangroves across Mesoamerica, from Mexico to Panama. Guided by ancestral wisdom, technology, and territorial governance, we work to ensure the well-being of our communities and the planet. We invite you to learn more about who we are and how we collaborate through our strategic areas to address diverse agendas that empower women, youth, and entire communities. ?? #WeAreForestsOfPeople Learn more: ???https://lnkd.in/ePY_G_QB

???Investing in our territories is NOT an act of solidarity, but a KEY action to face the climate crisis and conserve the planet’s biodiversity.?We, who protect the forests and marine ecosystems of Mesoamerica, play a vital role as the lungs of the planet, helping to mitigate the effects of climate change globally. ???? Swipe to see 4 key points on why direct territorial investment is important?? Supporting our work is protecting the future of our planet! #InvestInLifeNow #DirectFinancing #WeAreForestsOfPeople