From Leadership

“As a pilot project, the DGM is aimed at developing and strengthening the capacities of Indigenous peoples and local communities, and has undoubtedly consolidated initiatives for forest management, strengthening the REDD+ initiative. The leaders of the regions involved in the DGM have proposed actions and strategies aimed at mitigating and combating climate change through the development of solidarity economies and strengthening the tenure of their original territories.”

– Manuel Aldrete, DGM GSC co-chair and DGM Mexico NSC member

Over the last year, the climate crisis has continued to intensify around the world despite clear evidence and global awareness of the urgent need for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, restoring habitats and biodiversity, recognizing Indigenous and local community tenure, and channeling global climate finance to those who live in and depend upon forests and nature the most, Indigenous peoples and local communities (IPLCs). As the co-chairs of the DGM Global Steering Committee, we believe that it is imperative to work inclusively and collaboratively with diverse stakeholders in order to build the community and ecosystem resilience needed to respond to the climate crisis. This includes recognizing IPLCs’ land rights, social inclusion, climate finance, supporting IPLCs’ land management and initiatives as a climate change solution, and drawing on IPLCs’ capacities to enhance the resilience of their social and economic systems to the impact of the climate crisis.

In 2021, the DGM achieved important milestones in terms of program implementation and closeout, subgrants, gender equity and inclusion, and adaptation to changing circumstances as the world migrated to multiple virtual platforms. Each DGM countries’ response to COVID-19 was unique and came with its own challenges due to their respective cultural, political, and social differences. Many countries responded in timely, culturally appropriate and effective ways, while others’ response was a bit delayed. It is worth noting the efficient coordination and communication between National Steering Committees (NSCs), National Executing Agencies (NEAs), and partner organizations throughout this process. Some countries designed solidarity networks and identified funds to support NSC members and subproject implementers impacted by the pandemic and others deployed local community promoters and assistants to provide remote technical assistance, among many other innovative and unique activities. Contingency plans were also designed and continuously updated to best attend to the needs of Indigenous and local communities implementing activities on the ground.

For the first time since its inception, DGM countries closed out projects, while others received FIP subcommittee and World Bank approval, and the majority experienced peak implementation. By June 30, 2021, DGM Brazil and DGM Burkina Faso closed out their projects. At the same time DGM Guatemala, DGM Republic of Congo, and DGM Nepal were establishing their governance structures, programmatic documents, selections of NEAs and project kick-off.

As a year of continued innovation, growth, and transformation, the DGM Global project launched the first ever DGM Global Learning fellowship with the selection of 8 grantees from Burkina Faso, Mexico, Brazil, and Republic of Congo. The Global Learning Fellowship aims to cultivate long-term strengthening of IPLC leadership within the DGM network by providing virtual in-depth global learning experiences for DGM subproject implementers as a way of building capacity in DGM-specific topics, amplifying IPLC voices, and enhancing the visibility of their efforts and expertise.

Global Steering Committee Co-chairs

Bharati Pathak                         Manuel Aldrete