Who & Where We Fund / Australasia
Previous Grantees
A diverse population of Indigenous communities in the Pacific Island region is receiving funding through the Locally-Managed Marine Area Network (LMMA). This is a pilot grant using an intermediary organization, the LMMA Network, to assist in the distribution and allocation of funds to Indigenous organizations in the Pacific region because of LMMA’s more intimate knowledge of regional capabilities and community needs. Indigenous organizations in Fiji, Indonesia, the Philippines, the Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu are all working to promote Indigenous conservation practices through a variety of programs that fall under this Keepers of the Earth Fund grant.
Fiji
In Fiji, communities in the Lau group have collected information on marine protected areas (MPAs) and traditional conservation practices. Armed with this information, community members seeking funding from the Global Environment Facility are participating in a proposal writing training. Because Fiji has a large number of islands, community members from several areas are working together for the betterment of Indigenous conservation in the region.
Indonesia
Exchange visits to share best practices between local communities are needed to further develop community-defined MPAs and conservation guidelines. Such exchange visits are being executed in Indonesia between communities with established and successful MPAs and other communities seeking to implement such programs. Through peer-to-peer interaction, these communities are strengthening their marine resources through Indigenous Stewardship.
Solomon Islands and Vanuatu
Additional exchange visits between Indigenous Peoples from the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu are taking place for the first time. Due to fiscal limitations, such visits have not previously been possible. These exchange visits promote the sharing of best practices and development of better strategies for community-defined MPAs. Prior to receiving Keepers of the Earth Funds, communities have been unable to fiscally support visits such as these. Through First Peoples’ support, this grant has created opportunities for a more complete sharing of best practices through face-to-face visits and hands-on activities.
Philippines
While funds are supporting marine conservation and exchange visits in other countries, in the Philippines, Indigenous organizations are completing innovative projects by supporting information sharing and better enforcement policies and procedures across the region for community-defined MPAs. Beyond this aim, organizations are also creating advocacy materials applicable not only in the Philippines but also to the entire Pacific Island community. Through their focus on local communities and advocacy efforts at large, First Peoples funding is not only benefiting the Philippines, but the entire Pacific region.
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