Launched during London Climate Action Week, the report draws on the experiences of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities women and territorial funds across Africa, Asia, and Latin America to identify barriers and solutions for advancing gender-responsive direct funding.

Yesterday, during London Climate Action Week, Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities women leaders, representatives of territorial funds, donors, allies, and partners gathered to launch the report Gender-Responsive Direct Funding for Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities: Lessons from Territorial Funds.

Developed through a collaborative effort between the Shandia Platform, the GATC Women’s Movement, and territorial funds—including Fundo Rutî, IPAS, Podáali Fund, REPALEAC Fund, Fondo Territorial Mesoamericano (FTM), Jaguatá, Fundo Indígena do Rio Negro (FIRN), and Amazonía por la Vida—the report highlights both the barriers Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPs and LCs) women face in accessing climate and biodiversity finance and the solutions that are already being implemented across territories.

Drawing on the experiences of IPs and LCs women leaders from Africa, Asia, and Latin America, as well as the practical lessons emerging from territorial funds, the report examines the structural barriers that continue to limit women’s access to direct funding. At the same time, it showcases innovative and culturally grounded approaches that are helping ensure resources reach women-led initiatives, strengthen territorial governance, and support climate and biodiversity action from the ground up.

During the launch event, IPs and LCs women leaders shared their experiences navigating funding systems that often fail to recognize their realities, priorities, and leadership. Representatives of territorial funds presented concrete examples of gender-responsive financing mechanisms that are already expanding opportunities for IPs and LCs women across regions. Donors and partners also joined the conversation to reflect on how climate and biodiversity finance can better support women’s leadership and community-driven solutions.

A central message emerged throughout the discussion: IPs and LCs women are not simply beneficiaries of climate finance—they are leaders, rights holders, knowledge holders, and key actors in protecting forests, biodiversity, and the climate. Strengthening direct funding for their organizations and initiatives is essential to achieving more effective, equitable, and lasting outcomes.

The report offers practical recommendations for donors, policymakers, funding institutions, and Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities organizations seeking to advance gender-responsive direct funding and strengthen the leadership of IPs and LCs women in climate and biodiversity finance.

We invite donors, partners, policymakers, Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities organizations, and allies to read and download the report, explore its findings, and join the growing movement to build financing systems that are more equitable, inclusive, and grounded in territorial realities.