Results Highlights

The Tenure Facility works directly with Indigenous Peoples and local communities and their allies to ensure laws on community rights are translated into rights recognition on the ground. It supports them to achieve formal legal recognition of their territorial rights on maps, in laws, and in the plans and operations of governments and private investors. We work strategically with local, national, and international stakeholders to foster community-level partnership and joint action with governments and the private sector.

Tenure Facility is a leading funder specialised in Indigenous Peoples and local communities’ rights and governance of land, forest, and territories. Work across the tropics in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, we support these communities so that they can manage, defend and thrive in their territories.

In 2023, Tenure Facility’s partners succeeded in getting governments to formalise indigenous and community land and forest rights to more than 2 million hectares and made progress on improving tenure security and governance in almost 22 million hectares, benefiting nearly 14,000 communities. Behind these big numbers lie thousands of individual stories of struggle and success.

To continue with this impact in 2023, we gave US$ 26 million to 32 projects in 18 countries. Thanks to our generous donors, we doubled the number of projects we fund and the amount of onward grants we provide, compared to 2022. As a result, we are in reach of our ambitious target of improving tenure security and governance over 60 million hectares by 2027.

Our support also extends beyond funding. We provide strategic and technical advice, foster learning opportunities, and connect partners with key players to help advance their cause. Likewise, we ensure our policies and practices are tailored-made for our partners. We see to it that our partner’s projects promote gender equality and contribute to land, climate and biodiversity conservation.

Learn more about our impact in our latest annual report.

2023 Annual Report

In 2023, our partners’ efforts led to the formal recognition of more than 2 million hectares of land and forest. This significant progress also included improvements in tenure security and governance across nearly 22 million hectares. Our 2023 annual report is more than just a reflection of these past achievements; it is a beacon of hope in turbulent times and a call to action. Together with the continued support of our donors and the dedication of our partners, local and indigenous communities can thrive.

Read the annual report

Read the appendix

2022 Annual Report

2022 was a year of disciplined preparation and profound growth by the Tenure Facility, where we not only renewed several of our existing partnerships but also established new ones with leading Indigenous-led organisations in five additional countries. This report highlights that significant expansion and delves into the hard work both we and our partners put in to making it happen.

2021 Annual Report

As the world attempts to recover from the pandemic, 2021 was a year of growing recognition that secure tenure for Indigenous People’s and local communities play a major role in addressing environmental threats, and tenure has been a central theme in global environmental summits. The unprecedented COP26 pledge of 1.7billion dollars to Indigenous People’s land rights signifies progress, however challenges still remain with communities struggling to protect their human rights and territories

2020 Annual Report

This Annual Report captures some of the innovative work the Tenure Facility’s partners are doing. It is full of inspiring stories from communities who are courageously and creatively defending and strengthening their communal land rights, and have done so in 2020 amidst uniquely challenging circumstances.

2019 Annual Report

Our 2019 Annual Report offers you a glimpse into our partners’ efforts to secure their territories. Whilst the destination is the same, the journey to secure tenure varies enormously depending on country and local contexts.

2018 Annual Report

In this first annual report, we explore how our partners are working with governments to transform international and national commitments, policies, and laws into clear legal recognition of indigenous lands and forests. And we will share stories of their leadership, strategies, achievements, learning, and innovation.