Alliance magazine 263d ago

Across the tropics, Indigenous peoples, local communities, and Afro-descendants are quietly reshaping global philanthropy. In recent years, more than a dozen 'territorial funds' have emerged—initiatives created and led by grassroots movements in Africa, Asia, Brazil, and Mesoamerica. These funds are not just a means of financial support; they are a profound rethinking of how resources flow, how trust is built, and who holds decision-making power. Despite managing 40 percent of the world’s remaining intact ecosystems and stewarding 80 percent of global biodiversity, these communities receive less than one percent of international climate funding (most of it through outside intermediaries). Territorial funds are changing that. Rooted in local governance and collective rights, they are channelling resources directly to the frontlines of climate action. As the world confronts a climate crisis, these emerging funds offer a compelling question: What happens when those with the deepest ties to the land are trusted to lead? Featuring: Mina Setra The Nusantara Fund Peter Kostishack The Tenure Facility Renata Neder Climate and Land Use Kate Balding Moderator- Alliance Features Editor