In Madagascar, the SGP has been supporting the empowerment of more than 300 local community organizations since 2007, including through the Global Support Initiative to territories and areas conserved by Indigenous Peoples and local communities (ICCA-GSI), a multi-partnership initiative funded by the Government of Germany, through its International Climate Initiative (IKI). 

The ICCA-GSI expands the breadth and depth of support to ICCA populations, particularly in strengthening organizations like the Tafo Mihaavo (the national ICCA network) and traditional structures and systems recognized by the Malagasy society like fokonolonas.

Across central Madagascar, a total of 154,585 Indigenous Peoples and local communities living in ICCAs, also known as “Territories of Life”, are supported in the regions of Atsinanana, Amoron'i Mania, Haute Matsiatra, and Vatovavy-Fitovinany. In particular, support has been provided in securing land rights across 135,824 hectares of land and in recognizing the value of indigenous conservation methods, which is now also used in government-managed Protected Areas such as the Tapia forests.

To celebrate the International Day for Biological Diversity (22 May), we would like to highlight the significant contribution of Indigenous Peoples and local communities to biodiversity conservation, especially when their rights and cultural heritage are respected. 

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