Jan 14, 2021
In 2010, CIF established the DGM: the Dedicated Grant Mechanism for Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs). This mechanism was set up with funding from CIF’s Foreign Investment Program and today it remains unique in the entire climate finance landscape because it is fully designed and implemented by IPLCs.
In the last ten years, the DGM has invested $80 million in community-led, context-specific programs around the world which give IPLCs an enhanced role in protecting the forests they depend on. The outcomes of these programs include:
- Improved, sustainable forest management.
- Curbs on forest degradation.
- Reduction in deforestation-related greenhouse gas emissions.
- Boosted forest carbon stocks.
Mafalda Duarte, Head of the CIF, said: “We are proud of what the DGM has achieved in the last decade. The DGM has also left a positive impact on the wider development community by sharing learning across countries through its Global Learning and Knowledge Exchange Project. As a result of the impact of the pandemic, the DGM's work to empower IPLCs is more relevant - and more important - than ever before.”
Annual report documents a challenging but productive year
A newly-published annual report documents DGM’s achievements in its tenth anniversary year of 2020. This was a challenging year for IPLCs because of the disproportionately damaging effects of COVID-19 on vulnerable communities. But the annual report provides vivid evidence of these communities’ innovative responses to adapt both to the challenges of the pandemic, as well as the ongoing climate crisis.
DGM played an important role in making this a very productive year for IPLCS. Over the last year, IPLCs in DGM countries designed, selected and implemented more than 580 sub-projects benefiting over 200,000 community members across seven countries. This strengthened communities’ governance, food sovereignty, income generation and gender inclusivity. Importantly, more women took part in training activities and and more women-led projects received grants than in previous years.
The annual report is available in English, Spanish, French and Portuguese. It is available for download here.
