The German government, the Global Environment Facility (GEF), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have formed a partnership to create the largest-ever global fund for territories and areas conserved by indigenous peoples and local communities (ICCAs). The initiative is entitled ‘Support to indigenous peoples’ and community conserved areas and territories (ICCAs) through the GEF Small Grants Programme” and is referred to with the short abbreviation GSI. It is funded for a period of five years as a contribution to the achievement of targets contained in the CBD Aichi 2020 framework, and is at work in at least 26 countries around the globe.

The initiative acts at as an umbrella for coherent projects by multiple partners and is designed to improve recognition, support, and effectiveness of ICCAs by enhancing capacities at many levels. In this way, it supports the diversity, quality, and vitality of governance of the global network of “protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures” (as articulated in the Promise of Sydney of the World Parks Congress of 2014). The ICCA Consortium provides technical assistance concerning ICCAs to all the partners in the initiative.

First published on 04/05/2016, and last updated on 12/09/2017