Case Studies Directory

Community-based vulnerability and resilience mapping and adaptation practices in the mangrove forests of the Sundarbans, Bangladesh Case Study

Community-based vulnerability and resilience mapping and adaptation practices in the mangrove forests of the Sundarbans, Bangladesh

Creating maps of vulnerable areas help local communities identify areas that need special conservation protection.

Forest Peoples Programme4 July 2018

The potential impact of small grants: GEF-SGP support for Walling Nature Reserve, Antigua-Barbuda Case Study

The potential impact of small grants: GEF-SGP support for Walling Nature Reserve, Antigua-Barbuda

A small grant initiative leads to the first community-managed conservation site in the country and is inspiring others.

Forest Peoples Programme7 September 2021

Traditional knowledge and customary sustainable practices to conserve the endangered red panda in Ilam, Nepal Case Study

Traditional knowledge and customary sustainable practices to conserve the endangered red panda in Ilam, Nepal

Indigenous communities in Ilam use customary law and traditional knowledge to protect the red panda's natural habitat.

Forest Peoples Programme4 July 2018

Story from the Northern Territory, Australia: Dabboh and Smoke Money: Burning the Bush for People and Country Case Study

Story from the Northern Territory, Australia: Dabboh and Smoke Money: Burning the Bush for People and Country

The Balngarra clan of Australia use traditional burning techniques which increase biodiversiy and reduce the risk of wildfires.

Forest Peoples Programme4 July 2018

Kapuas Hulu, West Kalimantan, Indonesia: indigenous Dayak try to save forest, river and lake habitats under threat from palm oil expansion Case Study

Kapuas Hulu, West Kalimantan, Indonesia: indigenous Dayak try to save forest, river and lake habitats under threat from palm oil expansion

Dayak people use innovative approaches to attempt to protect their customary land from palm oil companies.

Forest Peoples Programme4 July 2018

Revitalising indigenous food systems in Besao, Mountain Province, the Philippines Case Study

Revitalising indigenous food systems in Besao, Mountain Province, the Philippines

Up until the 1980s the Payew people of Mountain Province in the Philippines were largely self-sufficient in food, and even exported some of their surplus bananas and rice. They sourced…

Forest Peoples Programme28 April 2026

The Kalanguya experience of community-based monitoring and information systems in Tinoc, Ifugao, Philippines. Case Study

The Kalanguya experience of community-based monitoring and information systems in Tinoc, Ifugao, Philippines.

Community research in the Philippines leads to plans to halt environmental degradation and enhance customary governance.

Forest Peoples Programme4 July 2018

Managing mangroves in Madagascar: women’s associations enhance conservation and livelihoods Case Study

Managing mangroves in Madagascar: women’s associations enhance conservation and livelihoods

Loky Manambato is a highly diverse landscape in northeastern Madagascar spanning 250,000 hectares, and including high massifs, forested areas and grasslands, and a marine/coastal zone. Bounded by two rivers, the…

Forest Peoples Programme22 December 2025

Local government regulations support community-led natural resource management in Thailand Case Study

Local government regulations support community-led natural resource management in Thailand

Thai local governments are financing community management of lands, as well as rehabilitating Karen indigenous lifestyles.

Forest Peoples Programme14 February 2021

The Ogiek’s experience with protected areas in Mount Elgon, Kenya: Ways towards rights-based conservation Case Study

The Ogiek’s experience with protected areas in Mount Elgon, Kenya: Ways towards rights-based conservation

IUCN-aided roundtable discussions with the Ogiek and Kenyan authorities facilitated a brief period of mutual understanding.

Forest Peoples Programme4 July 2018

Indigenous peoples’ protected and conserved areas: the pathway to Canada’s Target 1 Case Study

Indigenous peoples’ protected and conserved areas: the pathway to Canada’s Target 1

In Canada, through the Pathways Initiative, indigenous peoples and governments establish Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs).

Forest Peoples Programme1 June 2020

Children of the water: Plan de Vida (Life Plan) of the Misak people, Colombia Case Study

Children of the water: Plan de Vida (Life Plan) of the Misak people, Colombia

The Misak create a political strategy to ensure the existence of community life and spirituality linked to Mother Nature.

Forest Peoples Programme4 July 2018

Control of invasive pond apple infestations by indigenous rangers in a World Heritage Area, North-east Queensland, Australia Case Study

Control of invasive pond apple infestations by indigenous rangers in a World Heritage Area, North-east Queensland, Australia

New techniques and research are helping indigenous communities to control pond apple infestations, which crowd out local species.

Forest Peoples Programme4 July 2018

The community-based tagal system in Sabah, Malaysia Case Study

The community-based tagal system in Sabah, Malaysia

The Dusun peoples' Tagal concept is adopted by the Sabah Fisheries Department and around 400 river co-management systems.

Forest Peoples Programme15 September 2020

The Network of Weavers of the Indigenous Reserve of Ipiales, Colombia Case Study

The Network of Weavers of the Indigenous Reserve of Ipiales, Colombia

A revitalisation plan has helped Colombian indigenous communities recover and strengthen their traditional knowledge.

Forest Peoples Programme14 February 2021

Community-based monitoring of ancestral land and resources in an urban setting: the experience of the Ibaloy community of Muyot, Baguio City, the Philippines Case Study

Community-based monitoring of ancestral land and resources in an urban setting: the experience of the Ibaloy community of Muyot, Baguio City, the Philippines

The community of Muyot in the barangay (village) of Happy Hallow, Baguio City, has been home to the indigenous Ibaloys for generations. The original inhabitants and their descendants cared for…

Forest Peoples Programme4 February 2026

Environmental leadership workshops for indigenous youth in Mountain Province, Philippines Case Study

Environmental leadership workshops for indigenous youth in Mountain Province, Philippines

Young indigenous people accept their role as as inheritors of the land by creating solutions to environmental problems.

Forest Peoples Programme1 June 2020

The right to citizenship among Baka, Bagyeli and Bedzang in Cameroon Case Study

The right to citizenship among Baka, Bagyeli and Bedzang in Cameroon

Projects help Indigenous peoples in Cameroon attain citizenship so that they can access their rights.

Forest Peoples Programme14 February 2021

Loko iʻa: Indigenous aquaculture and mariculture in Hawaiʻi, USA Case Study

Loko iʻa: Indigenous aquaculture and mariculture in Hawaiʻi, USA

Restoring indigenous loko i'a fishing techniques leads to a renewal of traditional practices and values.

Forest Peoples Programme15 September 2020

Getting REDD+ to work for IPLCs in Vietnam Case Study

Getting REDD+ to work for IPLCs in Vietnam

This project gave IPLCs the legal standing to ensure REDD+ strategies respect human rights and traditional knowledge.

Forest Peoples Programme14 September 2020

IPLCs making good use of REDD+ in Vietnam Case Study

IPLCs making good use of REDD+ in Vietnam

Communities integrate the principles of carbon sequestration and reductions in deforestation in a way that respects human rights.

Forest Peoples Programme4 July 2018

Hagyományos pásztorokra van szükség ahhoz, hogy Közép-Európa fajokban gazdag gyepterületeinek biodiverzitása megmaradjon Case Study

Hagyományos pásztorokra van szükség ahhoz, hogy Közép-Európa fajokban gazdag gyepterületeinek biodiverzitása megmaradjon

Cikkünkben Sáfiánné Ibolyával és férjével , Sáfián Lászlóval, akik Magyarország hajdúsámsoni térségében hagyományos pásztorkodással foglalkoznak.

Forest Peoples Programme3 August 2022

Defining Alaskan Inuit food security as food sovereignty Case Study

Defining Alaskan Inuit food security as food sovereignty

Defining Inuit hunting, gathering, fishing and water policies is vital for thier food sovereignty and security.

Forest Peoples Programme14 February 2021

Safeguarding lands and territories: court cases mounted by the Maya, Belize Case Study

Safeguarding lands and territories: court cases mounted by the Maya, Belize

After years of illegal land invasions, Mayan leaders go to court to fight for recognition of their territory.

Forest Peoples Programme2 March 2021

Vueti Navakavu: A success story from Fiji Case Study

Vueti Navakavu: A success story from Fiji

A community-conserved marine area introduces various systems to maintain fish populations to ensure food and income security.

Forest Peoples Programme4 July 2018

Addressing drought through revival of a historic reservoir: Barnes Hill Community, Antigua and Barbuda Case Study

Addressing drought through revival of a historic reservoir: Barnes Hill Community, Antigua and Barbuda

The restoration of a community reservoir leads to wider community efforts to develop their land as a heritage site.

Forest Peoples Programme15 September 2020

El Balché: Sacred trees and bees of the Maya people, Mexico Case Study

El Balché: Sacred trees and bees of the Maya people, Mexico

Maya communities reforest bee-keeping areas with Balché trees, which have many traditional uses.

Forest Peoples Programme2 March 2021

How an indigenous group in Far-East Russia fought to protect their lands: the creation of Bikin National Park Case Study

How an indigenous group in Far-East Russia fought to protect their lands: the creation of Bikin National Park

Multimedia story on the creation of Bikin National park, which is unique in its management system that includes indigenous and non-indigenous groups.

Forest Peoples Programme5 October 2022

The Gwich’in and the porcupine caribou herd, North America Case Study

The Gwich’in and the porcupine caribou herd, North America

Lands that are vital to the survival of endangered carbibou and the Gwich'in people are at risk from oil and gas extraction.

Forest Peoples Programme23 November 2021

World Heritage listing as a tool to heal Gunditjmara Country; Budj Bim Indigenous Protected Area, Australia Case Study

World Heritage listing as a tool to heal Gunditjmara Country; Budj Bim Indigenous Protected Area, Australia

After invasion, colonialism and dispossession, the Gunditjmara of Australia regain control over their right to their cultural heritage.

Forest Peoples Programme1 June 2020

Salmon conservation, indigenous education, and knowledge co-production in Kamchatka Case Study

Salmon conservation, indigenous education, and knowledge co-production in Kamchatka

Kamchatka communities share ancestral knowledge and traditions to protect salmon populations and their environment.

Forest Peoples Programme1 June 2020

Sustainable use and conservation of the green turtle by the Miskitu indigenous people, Nicaragua Case Study

Sustainable use and conservation of the green turtle by the Miskitu indigenous people, Nicaragua

By working with the Ministry of Environment, the Miskitu peoples can continue with their traditional and sustainable practices.

Forest Peoples Programme14 February 2021

Baiga people living with Earth, central India Case Study

Baiga people living with Earth, central India

In central India, Baiga Adivasi indigenous people's lives and food sources are under threat.

Forest Peoples Programme14 February 2021

Shipibo-Conibo people defend their territories from palm oil in the Peruvian Amazon Case Study

Shipibo-Conibo people defend their territories from palm oil in the Peruvian Amazon

Through ground-breaking legal action, the Shipibo-Conibo people are fighting against illegal palm oil plantations on their land.

Forest Peoples Programme14 September 2020

Engendering biodiversity: Zenú Women, San Andrés De Sotavento, Colombia Case Study

Engendering biodiversity: Zenú Women, San Andrés De Sotavento, Colombia

Zenú women use their front patios in a variety of ways to promote indigenous knowledge, biodiversity and food security.

Forest Peoples Programme5 June 2020

Wapichan people’s plan to secure and care for their lands, Guyana Case Study

Wapichan people’s plan to secure and care for their lands, Guyana

The Wapichan peoples ' have created a detailed plan to safeguard their territory, but they need legal recognition of their land to do so.

Open & Honest4 July 2018

An invader in our waters: actions of Guna People (Panama) in relation to the Lion Fish Case Study

An invader in our waters: actions of Guna People (Panama) in relation to the Lion Fish

The Guna Yala people find ways to manage the invasive lionfish without undermining their traditional culture and food systems.

Forest Peoples Programme4 July 2018

Indigenous peoples’ education in Filipino schools Case Study

Indigenous peoples’ education in Filipino schools

There is a growing movement, both in schools and out, to revitalise indigenous knowledge through educational activities.

Forest Peoples Programme14 February 2021

Climate change adaptation: Restoring community common lands in Galicia, Spain Case Study

Climate change adaptation: Restoring community common lands in Galicia, Spain

A legal designation has allowed many communities to regain control of and restore their forest lands.

Forest Peoples Programme15 September 2020

Wapichan Monitoring Programme, Guyana Case Study

Wapichan Monitoring Programme, Guyana

Indigenous monitoring of pollution caused by illegal gold mining persaudes the Guyanese government to introduce stronger mining regulations.

Forest Peoples Programme15 September 2020

Indigenous eels in Canada Case Study

Indigenous eels in Canada

A threatened eel species should be restored using indigenous knowledge from First Nations.

Forest Peoples Programme2 March 2021

The Wampis nation in the Peruvian Amazon declares the creation of the first autonomous indigenous government Case Study

The Wampis nation in the Peruvian Amazon declares the creation of the first autonomous indigenous government

Wampis Nation leaders hope an autonomous government will give them political strength to protect their territory from extractivism.

Forest Peoples Programme14 February 2021

Indigenous women in land and sea management, Torres Strait, Queensland, Australia Case Study

Indigenous women in land and sea management, Torres Strait, Queensland, Australia

Indigenous women of the Torres Strait Islands are key custodians and teachers of traditional knowledge.

Forest Peoples Programme24 November 2021

Sharian: the Wampis Academy of Leaders, Peru Case Study

Sharian: the Wampis Academy of Leaders, Peru

A youth academy will cultivate young leaders who will defend and promote the autonomous development of the Wampis Nation.

Forest Peoples Programme14 February 2021

Tribes address salmon declines in the US Pacific Northwest Case Study

Tribes address salmon declines in the US Pacific Northwest

The tribes of Washington State attempt to recover salmon stocks, but highlight the need to address large-scale underlying causes.

Forest Peoples Programme15 September 2020

Protecting community-led conservation of Wapichan wiizi in Guyana Case Study

Protecting community-led conservation of Wapichan wiizi in Guyana

The Wapichan conserved headwaters area offers a unique contribution to global biodiversity and to Guyana’s 30×30 target.

Forest Peoples Programme28 January 2026

Identifying impacts and threats to vulnerable ecosystems in Guna Yala, Panama Case Study

Identifying impacts and threats to vulnerable ecosystems in Guna Yala, Panama

The Guna Yala carry out fieldwork in their territories to analyse and diagnose environmental issues associated with climate change.

Forest Peoples Programme4 July 2018

Restoration and reforestation of the Cañamomo Lomaprieta Indigenous Reserve, Colombia Case Study

Restoration and reforestation of the Cañamomo Lomaprieta Indigenous Reserve, Colombia

Members of the Indigenous reserve are working on environmental restoration practices, with no support from the government.

Forest Peoples Programme5 June 2020

Bio-cultural protocol of the traditional healers of snake bite, Sri Lanka Case Study

Bio-cultural protocol of the traditional healers of snake bite, Sri Lanka

Native healers face many challenges to carry out their work in Sri Lanka, but their bio-cultural protocol hopes to change this.

Forest Peoples Programme29 October 2020

Good practice for collaborative environmental impact assessment: Raglan Nickel Mine, northern Quebec, Canada Case Study

Good practice for collaborative environmental impact assessment: Raglan Nickel Mine, northern Quebec, Canada

Indigenous Inuit people meaningfully engage in an environmental and social impact assessment of a mine.

Forest Peoples Programme14 September 2020

Conserving Mu Billi (the ocean): a step towards collective territorial rights in Panama Case Study

Conserving Mu Billi (the ocean): a step towards collective territorial rights in Panama

The Gunayala Comarca (province) is an indigenous territory located in the east of the Republic of Panama. It is characterised by having a special territorial administration granted by the Republic…

Forest Peoples Programme20 April 2026

Indigenous peoples participate in NBSAP processes in Costa Rica Case Study

Indigenous peoples participate in NBSAP processes in Costa Rica

Youth, elders and adults from indigenous communities all participated in the creation of a National Biodiversity Strategy.

Forest Peoples Programme14 February 2021

Reducing and reusing waste in the Guna Yala region, Panama Case Study

Reducing and reusing waste in the Guna Yala region, Panama

The Guna General Congress commits to multiple actions to find simple, rapid, low-cost measures to deal with waste.

Forest Peoples Programme15 September 2020

Exploring a labelling scheme for biocultural heritage-based products Case Study

Exploring a labelling scheme for biocultural heritage-based products

A new labelling initiatve could give products a unique character, providing a source of income and incentives fo communities.

Forest Peoples Programme4 July 2018

Monitoring seagrass in the Torres Strait, Australia Case Study

Monitoring seagrass in the Torres Strait, Australia

Indigenous peoples of the Torres strait monitor and conserve seagrass which supports the largest dugong population in the world.

Forest Peoples Programme24 November 2021

Watershed conservation by indigenous communities of Taloy Sur, Tuba, Benguet, the Philippines Case Study

Watershed conservation by indigenous communities of Taloy Sur, Tuba, Benguet, the Philippines

Taloy Sur is a mountainous barangay located in Tuba, in the province of Benguet in the Philippines. It abounds in forests and river systems, and indigenous communities have been at…

Forest Peoples Programme23 February 2026

Development of cultural indicators to monitor Kauri dieback disease in Aotearoa/New Zealand Case Study

Development of cultural indicators to monitor Kauri dieback disease in Aotearoa/New Zealand

For Maori peoples, Kauri trees connect them to their spiritual beliefs, and they have created a framework to monitor Kauri health.

Forest Peoples Programme4 July 2018

Sustainable Development Working Group of the Arctic Council Case Study

Sustainable Development Working Group of the Arctic Council

The Arctic Council involves indigenous peoples and traditional knowledge in their strategic plannign for sustainable development.

Forest Peoples Programme4 July 2018

Traditional herders are needed to safeguard biodiversity of species-rich grasslands in Central Europe Case Study

Traditional herders are needed to safeguard biodiversity of species-rich grasslands in Central Europe

A traditional herding family describes their life on the farm and how they work to restore and maintain grazing pastures

Forest Peoples Programme3 August 2022

Communities tackle beach pollution in Antigua and Barbuda Case Study

Communities tackle beach pollution in Antigua and Barbuda

The ‘Adopt a Coastline’ initiative aimed to change the attitudes and behaviour of local children through fostering and mentoring youth stewards to conserve and protect the marine and coastal assets…

Forest Peoples Programme19 December 2022

Indigenous monitoring of silk moths in the Arctic and Siberia Case Study

Indigenous monitoring of silk moths in the Arctic and Siberia

Silk moth caterpillars destroy coniferous forests, and indigenous monitoring systems are alerting officals to new sightings.

Forest Peoples Programme15 September 2020

Sakatia Island (ICCA), Madagascar Case Study

Sakatia Island (ICCA), Madagascar

Customary land conservation practices are protected by municipal and national governments.

Forest Peoples Programme2 March 2021

Criminalisation of a Dayak community in Long Isun, Kalimantan, Indonesia Case Study

Criminalisation of a Dayak community in Long Isun, Kalimantan, Indonesia

A peaceful protest in Long Isun led to a community member being jailed for 109 days.

Forest Peoples Programme1 June 2020

The story of the Potato Park Case Study

The story of the Potato Park

The Potato Park in Peru helps indigenous communities revitalise their traditional knowledge and food security.

Forest Peoples Programme4 July 2018

The Rooibos Benefit-Sharing Agreement: Breaking new ground with respect, honesty, fairness, and care, South Africa Case Study

The Rooibos Benefit-Sharing Agreement: Breaking new ground with respect, honesty, fairness, and care, South Africa

The Khoi-San peoples of South Africa develop benefit-sharing agreements for companies wanting to use their research on Rooibos tea.

Forest Peoples Programme2 March 2021

Maya early-warning systems in Guatemala Case Study

Maya early-warning systems in Guatemala

Indigenous knowledge provides resilience to a changing climate for Maya Kaqchikel farmers.

Forest Peoples Programme2 March 2021

Heirloom recipes of the Cordillera, Philippines Case Study

Heirloom recipes of the Cordillera, Philippines

A recipe book uses traditional ingredients from the Cordillera region to ensure traditional knowledge is safeguarded.

Forest Peoples Programme2 March 2021

The traditional land use system of the Lua (La-weu) peoples in northern Thailand Case Study

The traditional land use system of the Lua (La-weu) peoples in northern Thailand

By creating conservation forest areas and practising rotational farming, the Lua people's land will remain fertile indefinitely.

Forest Peoples Programme4 July 2018

Protected: TEST (Do not delete) Case Study

Protected: TEST (Do not delete)

Open & Honest7 October 2025

Linking community-based monitoring and reporting of oil pollution to environmental enforcement: FECONACO’s Territorial Monitoring Programme Case Study

Linking community-based monitoring and reporting of oil pollution to environmental enforcement: FECONACO’s Territorial Monitoring Programme

Indigenous communities flag areas where oil extraction has caused pollution and destruction of ecosystems to the Peruvian state.

Forest Peoples Programme4 July 2018

Community-based documentation of positive contributions of traditional rotational farming to carbon sequestration and ecosystem resilience, Thailand Case Study

Community-based documentation of positive contributions of traditional rotational farming to carbon sequestration and ecosystem resilience, Thailand

Research on sustainable indigenous farming methods in Thailand lead to policy support from the government.

Forest Peoples Programme4 July 2018

Pgaz K’Nyau community social enterprise as alternative livelihoods for young generations, northern Thailand Case Study

Pgaz K’Nyau community social enterprise as alternative livelihoods for young generations, northern Thailand

To reduce urban migration in Pgaz K'Nyau youth, young people are given the opportunity to create community social enterprises.

Forest Peoples Programme1 June 2020

Bikin National Park: innovative co-management in the Russian Federation Case Study

Bikin National Park: innovative co-management in the Russian Federation

Bikin National park is unique in its management system that includes indigenous and non-indigenous groups.

Forest Peoples Programme2 March 2021

The making of the Endorois people’s bio-cultural protocol, Kenya Case Study

The making of the Endorois people’s bio-cultural protocol, Kenya

The protocol sets out the Endorois community's challenges and opportunities and calls for the government to act.

Forest Peoples Programme29 October 2020

The Indigenous Tierra Madre Case Study

The Indigenous Tierra Madre

The ITM in India is a celebration of the cultural and biological diversity of indigenous communities.

Forest Peoples Programme4 July 2018

Controlling the invasive Gmelina and bringing back biodiversity in Kalinga, Philippines Case Study

Controlling the invasive Gmelina and bringing back biodiversity in Kalinga, Philippines

Gmelina trees promised a timber harvest after just 10 years, but local communities see a huge drop in biodiversity after planting.

Forest Peoples Programme1 June 2020

Climate change and food sovereignty in the Arctic Case Study

Climate change and food sovereignty in the Arctic

A changing climate requires concerted efforts by indigenous inuit knowledge holders to carry out sustainable harvests.

Forest Peoples Programme2 March 2021

Finding positive ways to use invasive species in Benin Case Study

Finding positive ways to use invasive species in Benin

In Benin, community organisations are resisting the spread of the invasive water hyacinth in innovative ways.

Forest Peoples Programme6 December 2022

Whanganui River recognised as a legal person, New Zealand Case Study

Whanganui River recognised as a legal person, New Zealand

The Whanganui river is the ancestor to its people, and legal person status means it must be treated as an indivisible whole.

Forest Peoples Programme14 February 2021

Communities in Pitas, Sabah, Malaysia fight to protect mangroves Case Study

Communities in Pitas, Sabah, Malaysia fight to protect mangroves

Affected communities come together to protect their mangrove forests from an extremely damaging shrimp project.

Forest Peoples Programme1 June 2020