Indigenous Peoples Program

Values indigenous knowledge and ways of life, strengthening environmental and territorial management, the defense of rights and the improvement of public policies

Indigenous march during the Terra Livre encampment in 2025. Photo: Letícia Verdi/ISPN Archive

Photo: Robert Miller/ISPN Collection

Participatory Assessment for the development of the PGTA for the Pindaré River Land, produced with the communities. Photo: Eryck Johnnatan/MPI

Creation of the Indigenous Study and Coexistence Laboratory at UFOPA, with support from the Indigenous Permanence and Opportunities Program (PIPOU). Photo: ISPN Archive

Based on the appreciation of Indigenous peoples' knowledge and their contributions to biodiversity conservation and climate regulation, ISPN's Indigenous Peoples Program focuses on Indigenous environmental and territorial management strategies. Inspired by the principles of the National Policy for Territorial and Environmental Management of Indigenous Lands (PNGATI), the program strengthens integrated actions in the territories, promoting Indigenous leadership in experiences that engage with protected area mosaics and other forms of socio-environmental governance.

The program has also expanded its work in promoting the qualified presence of indigenous students in higher education, through the Indigenous Program for Permanence and Opportunities at the University (PIPOU).

Who supports us

Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad), through the Norwegian International Climate and Forest Initiative (Nicfi)

Brazilian Biodiversity Fund (Funbio), through the Copaíbas Program

Vale, with support from Double Arrow and CMH

Global Environment Facility (GEF) through the Ywy Ipuranguete Project – Ministry of Indigenous Peoples (MPI), National Foundation for Indigenous Peoples (Funai);

Green Climate Fund (GCF), through the Floresta + Program, a partnership between the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MMA) and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP)

External Joints

National Indigenous Mobilization (MNI)

Articulation of Indigenous Peoples of Brazil (APIB)

Coordination of Indigenous Organizations of the Brazilian Amazon (COIAB)

Articulation of Indigenous Peoples of Northeast Minas Gerais and Espírito Santo (APOINME)

National Meeting of Indigenous Students (ENEI)

National Council for Indigenous Policy (CNPI)

PNGATI Management Committee (PG PNGATI)

Technical Chamber for Integrated Management of Protected Areas of the CG PNGATI

Protected Area Mosaic Network (REMAP)

Gurupi Mosaic Council

State Council for the Articulation of Public Policies for Indigenous Peoples in Maranhão (CEAPI)

Standing Cerrado Coalition

Commission for the Implementation of PNGATI in Maranhão

Working Group of the Indigenous Ecological Restoration Program/FUNAI

Catrapovos Maranhão

Gurupi Biosphere Reserve Council

Alliance for Amazon Restoration

Projects

Project status

Indigenous Peoples' Alliance for the Forests of the Eastern Amazon: Conserve, Protect, and Restore

closed

Financier(s): United States Agency for International Development (USAID)

The Aliança Project was an initiative implemented by the Indigenous Work Center (CTI), in partnership with ISPN, and the Indigenous organizations Coapima, Amima, and Wyty Catë. The project aimed to protect, conserve, and restore forests in the Eastern Amazon, focusing on 14 Indigenous Territories in the states of Maranhão and Tocantins.

Validity Period: 2024-2025

Connectivity

closed

Financier(s): VALE

Supported Indigenous peoples in Maranhão, Minas Gerais, and Espírito Santo in developing and improving community communication systems. The initiative was implemented by ISPN in partnership with the Nupef Institute.

Validity Period: 2021-2022

Indigenous cultures

closed

Financier(s): VALE

Developed a diagnostic to understand the needs of Indigenous peoples nationwide regarding their cultural, aesthetic, and artistic expressions, as well as their tangible and intangible cultural heritage. The diagnostic informed the development and launch of a public notice issued by Fundo Casa. The initiative was implemented by ISPN with support from Vale.

Validity Period: 2021-2022

Diagnosis of the Peoples and Territories of the Cerrado and promotion of initiatives to strengthen the territorial and environmental management of indigenous lands in the Cerrado

In progress

Financier(s): Brazilian Biodiversity Fund (Funbio)

Develop and disseminate a Diagnosis of the Peoples and Territories of the Cerrado and promote initiatives to strengthen the territorial and environmental management of the Cerrado Indigenous Lands, including political articulation, indigenous mobilization, and communication strategies. This initiative is implemented by the Indigenous Work Center in partnership with ISPN, with support from Funbio's Copaíbas Program.

Validity Period: 2025 - 2026

Forest + Amazon – Communities Modality

In progress

Financier(s): Green Climate Fund (GCF)

The ISPN Indigenous Peoples Program supports two projects within the Floresta+ Amazônia initiative. The first, in partnership with the Nairuy Taw Association, strengthens women's leadership in the conservation and restoration of degraded areas in the Araribóia Indigenous Land. The second, carried out with the Wirazu Association, works to prevent and combat fires in the Caru Indigenous Land, promoting traditional knowledge and training indigenous brigades with the participation of women and youth. Floresta+ Amazônia is a partnership between the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MMA) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with technical assistance from ISPN.

Validity Period: 2024 - 2025

Indigenous Landscapes

In progress

Financier(s): Norwegian International Climate and Forestry Institute (NICFI)

Contributes to Indigenous environmental and territorial management strategies in the Gurupi Mosaic (MA/PA) and the Timbira Territory (MA/TO). The project's principle is to promote rights, forms of sociopolitical organization, and integrated Indigenous management tools, which are essential for maintaining sociobiodiversity and the well-being of the peoples in these two territories.

Validity Period: 2021 - 2025

Indigenous Program for Permanence and Opportunities at University (PIPOU)

In progress

Financier(s): MHC, Double Arrow, VALE

The program aims to create support strategies to alleviate the numerous difficulties faced by indigenous university students, offering a R$1.000,00 scholarship, a computer, and pedagogical support to encourage indigenous people to remain in higher education institutions in Brazil.

Validity Period: 2021 (beginning)

Integrated Environmental and Territorial Management Project for Indigenous Lands in Eastern Amazonia

closed

The project worked to conserve the forests of the Eastern Amazon in Maranhão and northern Tocantins through integrated territorial and environmental management of 10 Indigenous Lands. By training and equipping these people with management tools, the project sought to contribute to improving governance and territorial protection, working to conserve biodiversity and maintain ecosystem services.

Integrated Environmental and Territorial Management Project for Indigenous Lands in Eastern Amazonia

closed

Financier(s): United States Agency for International Development (USAID)

The project worked to conserve the forests of the Eastern Amazon in Maranhão and northern Tocantins through integrated territorial and environmental management of 10 Indigenous Lands. By providing these indigenous peoples with political training and equipping them with management tools, the project sought to contribute to improving governance and territorial protection, working to conserve biodiversity and maintain ecosystem services. The initiative was implemented by the Indigenous Work Center (CTI) in partnership with ISPN, Coapima, Amima, and the Wyty Catë Association.

Validity Period: 2019-2023

Gurupi Mosaic Indigenous Lands Management and Restoration Project

In progress

Financier(s): Brazilian Biodiversity Fund (Funbio)

The project supports nine Indigenous associations in the Gurupi Mosaic (MA/PA), focusing on the development and implementation of Environmental and Territorial Management Plans (PGTAs), forest restoration and agroforestry, institutional strengthening, strategic communication training for Indigenous youth, and support for microprojects for Indigenous families in the Gurupi Mosaic. The project is implemented by ISPN in partnership with the Coordination of Organizations and Coordinations of Indigenous Peoples of Maranhão (COAPIMA).

Validity Period: 2023 - 2026

Charting new paths for good living

closed

Financier(s): Porticus

Implemented by the Forest Warriors women's collective of the Caru Indigenous Territory, the initiative combined awareness-raising activities on rights with support for socioeconomic initiatives in villages in Alto Alegre do Pindaré and Bom Jardim, Maranhão, municipalities with low HDIs. Twenty families benefited from productive microprojects, including vegetable gardens, farms, fruit trees, backyard enrichment, reforestation/nursery, and small livestock raising. The initiative was implemented by ISPN in partnership with the Wirazu Association, with support from the Doar para Transformar Program, the Comuá Network, and financial support from Porticus.

Validity Period: 2022

Exchanges between indigenous peoples strengthen strategies for restoring and defending their territories.

Meeting between leaders from Mato Grosso do Sul and Maranhão promotes exchange of knowledge, articulates resistance, and boosts the recovery of degraded areas in the face of state absence and pressure from agribusiness.

March 23th, 2026

News

Young indigenous person selected for the international Restoration Steward program.

The Restoration Stewards 2026 initiative selected 5 young people, aged 18 to 35, from around the world to act as ambassadors for ecosystem restoration.

February 13, 2026

News