Working with Indigenous People and local communities: 8 Lessons from GCBC Research

Research conducted in partnership with Indigenous People and local communities (IPLCs) is increasingly shown to develop stronger, more inclusive understanding of our shared environment. By grounding evidence in local realities and lived experience, such approaches improve the relevance, impact, and resilience of interventions.

At the same time, the relationship between researchers and IPLCs may be characterised by very distinct priorities, significant power imbalances, and different ways of interpreting the world. Recognising this complexity, GCBC invited grant recipients to share their reflections on conducting research with Indigenous Peoples and local communities, in particular highlighting the insights they were gaining in the process.

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Agrobiodiversity Management by the Dayak Tribe in Labian and Labian Ira’ang Villages in Indonesia

This case study documents local knowledge of Dayak Indigenous communities in West Kalimantan, Indonesia. These communities have extensive knowledge relevant to the management and use of local natural resources and practice holistic and regenerative agriculture that emphasises harmony with nature and the conservation of biodiversity.

The study also shows the important role of forest and farm producer organisations (FFPOs) in building local resilience, fostering sustainable enterprises, and enabling access to finance.

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Primer Informe Técnico de Restauración Forestal en la Comarca Ngäbe-Buglé (Spanish)

The first Forest Restoration Monitoring Report from the Ngäbe-Buglé Comarca in Panama, produced by the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, presents early results from the Intelligent Reforestation Programme.

Monitoring of 14 one-hectare restoration plots and 15 transects, established in 2022, evaluated seedling survival, species richness, and successional dynamics across 27 native tree species.

The findings demonstrate the potential of community-led, science-based restoration using native species to enhance biodiversity recovery, increase carbon sequestration and support resilient, sustainable livelihoods in Indigenous territories.

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Diagnostico Participativo de Bioversidad del Resguardo el Gran Tescual (Spanish)

This report presents evidence from the Gran Tescual Indigenous Reservation Climate Plan project, which generated participatory, intercultural and gender-responsive research to inform biodiversity conservation, climate adaptation and sustainable livelihoods in the Gran Tescual territory of Colombia.

Based on community co-production of a participatory biodiversity diagnosis, illustrated ethnobotanical guide and climate plan, findings highlight key ecosystem pressures, integrate Indigenous knowledge with scientific evidence, and support strengthened territorial governance and climate-resilient strategies.

 

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Business Unusual Report

This research report presents alternative, inclusive business models for farm and forest production that favour small scale producers and diverse food production systems. In these alternatives, producers mobilise their own flexible finance and engage in partnerships through their savings and credit cooperatives and businesses, supply chain partners and pioneering investors.

Together they are practising ‘business unusual’: adopting practices that support livelihoods, embrace complexity in the interests of biodiversity and climate.

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