Grantee Profiles
Our grantees are part of a worldwide network of Indigenous practitioners that makes up the backbone of the global Indigenous movement. They are invaluable partners in furthering Indigenous development all over the world. Here are the mission statements of just a few of these inspiring groups:
A World Institute for a Sustainable Humanity-A.W.I.S.H.
Sierra Leone
A.W.I.S.H. is committed to establishing excellent sustainable community development programs and fostering the advancement of quality implementation of its projects, targetting needy and vulnerable community Indigenous Peoples. A.W.I.S.H. is currently undertaking an Inland Valley Swamp rice production project in Gbeworbu Tunkia, in the Tunkia Chiefdom of Kenema District. Alpha Beretey, the director of A W.I.S.H. Sierra Leone, is pictured here during a site visitation for the project.
Adivasimitra
India
Adivasimitra is an Indigenous people’s rights grassroots organization run and managed solely by Adivasi people. The main goal and mission of the organization is:
•To advocate for the land and natural resource rights of the Adivasi people and for assertion of our self-rule to uphold the constitutional and customary rights of our people.
•To build capacities of our communities to ensure development of our children and families through primary education, health care, participation in governance and decision-making.
•To protect the ecological wealth and traditional wisdom of our forefathers for sustainable development of our communities as well as of the country.
Community Awareness and Services for Ecological Concern/CASEC
Philippines
CASEC is committed to the task of preserving the integrity of creation and working for justice—two inseparable dimensions in the quest for total human development to provide for future generations. The ecological dimension focuses on promoting the Filipino people’s aspirations for a genuine and lasting development. CASEC endeavors to translate ecological concern into action. Furthermore, CASEC believes in the power of an organized people and recognizes the importance of establishing partnerships with other ecological and Tribal groups.
Chepkitale Indigenous Peoples Development Program
Kenya
CIPDP’s mission is to ensure a just society for the underprivileged Ogiek of Chepkitale, Mt. Elgon. The organization is representing the community in the petitions against the government on the change of land tenure and threat of eviction. CIPDP pushed for the recognition of the community as an independent tribe/entity during the last population census, sought redress and pushed for a court case to revert Ogiek land to its original status as Community land, and trained and sensitized community members on the new constitution and their rights to self determination.
Youth Organization for Health and Development
Malawi
YOHAD’s mission is to promote traditional knowledge and gender equality and reduce new HIV infection, to empower youth and Indigenous people economically, and to address negative issues that affect them through provision of information, skills, and services in remote areas of Salima District. YOHAD has mobilized campaigns to address issues of stigma and discrimination with other tribes bordering the Chewa villages, organized traditional dance events, established an Indigenous leaders committee which oversees issues affecting their people, helped settle disputes that erupted between game rangers and one village of the Indigenous Chewa people regarding poaching issues, and conducted meetings with policy makers and health workers in the district.
Edom Development Group
Nigeria
Edom Development Group is dedicated to the improvement of living conditions of our Indigenous community through the establishment of culturally based projects and programs designed to raise their living standard and to help build their capacity, focused on sustainable poverty and hunger reduction.
Awamaki—Association of Women Weavers of Kelanka
Peru
The Association of Women Weavers of Kelkanka works to revitalize Kelkanka's weaving tradition by establishing its place of importance in our culture and to improve our quality of life. Awamaki collaborates with the people of Ollantaytambo and surrounding communities to foster enduring economic opportunities and improve social conditions.
To learn more about our grant making program, visit our Grants page.