Blog & news

Tara Bandu is defined as a “traditional Timorese custom that enforces peace and reconciliation through the power of public agreement to define social norms and practices to a given community”. Video produced by Juventud Covalima based in Timor Leste which is a partner of Pawanka Fund. This video was shown during the #UNPFII side event:

The arid and semi-arid lands of northern Kenya are home to diverse ethnic groups whose cultures have evolved with the natural environment marked by low rainfall and drought resulting from climate change. The Gabbra, Boran, Saakuyye, Daasanach, El-Molo, Rendille, Samburu, Turkana, Wayu and the Somali communities are nomadic pastoralists who herd camels, cattle, sheep and

Rukka Sombolinggi, Secretary-General of Aliansi Masyarakat Adat Nusantara (AMAN), gives a statement on how the COVID-19 pandemic has exasperated existing threats to land rights and heightened conflicts and criminalization of Indigenous peoples in Indonesia. Detailing resilience tactics, she shares hope which is now crucial in the fight against the new omnibus bill. Source: If Not

Preserving Latin America’s forests is vital to fight the climate crisis and deforestation is lower in indigenous territories By Damian Carrington The embattled indigenous peoples of Latin America are by far the best guardians of the regions’ forests, according to a UN report, with deforestation rates up to 50% lower in their territories than elsewhere.

Forest governance by indigenous and tribal peoples. An opportunity for climate action in Latin America and the Caribbean Abstract: The document summarizes the report that, based on a review of more than 250 studies, demonstrates the importance and urgency of climate action to protect the forests of the indigenous and tribal territories of Latin America

KENYA What would a community do if it one day realized that their language might vanish forever and with it the memory and history of their tribe? This was the challenge that the Gurapau Group in Marsabit County, Kenya, took on in order to keep their language, El-molo, from fading into oblivion. The group commenced

By Amy Beck RSF’S AMY BECK SPEAKS WITH MARIANA LOPEZ OF PAWANKA FUND AND ALAN ZULCH OF TAMALPAIS TRUST ABOUT WORKING TOGETHER TO SUPPORT INDIGENOUS PEOPLES AROUND THE GLOBE. Amy: Could each of you tell me about yourself and your current work to build a more equitable economy? Mariana: I’m the Program Director for the Pawanka Fund which started

Indigenous women are custodians of their communities’ traditions and natural resources, but they are also among the world’s most vulnerable and marginalized peoples. On International Day of Indigenous Peoples, learn more about the challenges indigenous women face, and how they play key roles in their communities and countries, and contribute to peace building and sustainable