Equitable Earth Launches Applications to their Indigenous Peoples & Local Communities Working Group

Indigenous Peoples’ traditional knowledge and leadership have protected ecosystems across the globe for generations, and many of the world’s most biodiverse and intact natural areas exist in territories they steward or hold rights to.

At Equitable Earth, as we continue to scale a high-integrity standard for nature-based solutions, we recognise that any credible conservation and restoration efforts must respect and elevate the authority and experience of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPs & LCs). They must not only be included, but inform and influence at every stage of project design and implementation.

We’re pleased to open applications for our new IP & LC Working Group, a formal advisory body that will help shape the evolution of the Equitable Earth Programme and ensure it remains grounded in local realities, rights, and knowledge.

The Working Group will bring together IP & LC representatives from across regions, cultures, and ecosystems to provide guidance on:

• Strengthening our Standard, especially the Livelihoods Pillar
• Ensuring high-quality community participation and FPIC (Free, Prior and Informed Consent)
• Identifying risks and improving safeguards
• Bringing traditional and local knowledge into methodologies and tools
• Advising on real project scenarios entering or undergoing certification

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Members will help ensure that the Equitable Earth Standard remains culturally grounded, practical, and aligned with the needs and priorities of communities on the frontlines of conservation.

Who should apply

We welcome expressions of interest from Indigenous and community leaders with experience in:

• Conservation, restoration, or land stewardship
• Community governance or decision-making
• Cultural, traditional, or ancestral knowledge
• Forest projects, climate initiatives, or biodiversity work
• (Optional) Standards, certification, or carbon markets

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We are seeking a diverse group across regions, cultures, genders, and ecosystem types.

Equitable Earth will cover the cost of interpreters or translators as needed and input can be submitted in multiple formats and languages. Accessibility support will be provided throughout.

All details, including roles, responsibilities, meeting structure, and eligibility, can be found in the full Terms of Reference for the IP & LC Working Group.

How to apply

Interested individuals can submit an Expression of Interest in any of the following ways:

• Submitting via the Google Form.
• Completing this document and submitting it to secretariat@eq-earth.com.

Equitable Earth will accept alternative submission formats, including voice notes or audio responses, video messages, or nomination by a community organisation, and can provide support for completion of the form by phone.

Applications may be submitted in English, French, Spanish, or Portuguese. We will translate materials submitted in other languages.

Stakeholders may nominate individuals to participate in the Working Group. Please send nominations to secretariat@eq-earth.com.

🗓 Deadline: Friday, January 30, 2026

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