What is the Engagement Forum?
Both Indigenous Peoples and local communities are key partners in the voluntary carbon market and in the fight against the climate crisis. It is critical that we collaborate with Indigenous Peoples and local communities to make sure the voluntary carbon market (VCM) functions in a way that protects and promotes their rights and interests.
The proposal of an Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities Engagement Forum (the ‘Forum’), announced at COP28, has been the principal output of a two-year initiative and series of global consultations, workshops and discussions led by the Integrity Council.
A market-wide Engagement Forum has the potential to:
1.
Strengthen and coordinate Indigenous Peoples’ and local communities’ critical engagement with the market.
2.
Support and empower Indigenous Peoples and local communities to become decision makers to the market.
The nomination process
In January 2024, the nomination process for the Forum opened. The Integrity Council received 64 nominations from across the world. Eight members from Oceania, Africa, Latin America, Asia and the northern hemisphere have been appointed to the Forum including two Co-Chairs chosen by the members of the Forum. The first meeting of the Forum was held on the 4th of July 2024. The Integrity Council’s prominent Indigenous board members Jennifer Corpuz, Dr Kanyinke Sena, Dr. Francisco Souza and expert advisor Tuntiak Katan led the development and strategic support of the Forum. Also, the Integrity Council has members of its secretariat dedicated to working with Indigenous Peoples and local Communities, both supporting the Forum and the leadership of the Indigenous Peoples board members.
Join the Forum: Vacancy for East or Southern Africa Representative
The Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities Engagement Forum is seeking a new member who will represent East or Southern Africa.
The position offers an exceptional opportunity to help create a voluntary carbon market of high integrity, which protects the rights of Indigenous Peoples and supports local communities. The Forum members lead the development of unified policy positions while building leadership capacity to maintain Indigenous voices as central to carbon market governance.
We seek candidates who:
• Belong to either an Indigenous group or a local community within East or Southern Africa.
• Possesses regional understanding along with appropriate experience and backing from their community.
• Has experience in carbon markets or environmental governance while demonstrating dedication to inclusive representation.
The application process welcomes female candidates and young leaders who will receive support to facilitate their complete participation.
Nomination submissions must be sent by Friday, 11 July 2025.
Vision and Priorities
The overarching goal of the Forum is to elevate and enforce the rights of both Indigenous Peoples and local communities within the VCM led by their interests, values, principles and vision.
A strategic plan is being developed by the Forum and is expected to be published by the end of Q2 2025.
In its second meeting on September 4th, 2024, the Forum agreed its priority areas with the goal of producing a series of recommendations both to ICVCM and the voluntary carbon market. These priority areas include:
- Defining capacity building needs – to enable the Forum, itself and / or through partners, to develop materials and tools to support Indigenous Peoples and local communities to engage with the market as partners.
- Defining best practice in grievance mechanisms – to allow redress where projects fail to meet their obligations.
- Defining best practice in benefit distribution – ensuring that financial and other benefits are shared equitably and transparently.
- Respecting and empowering Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Customary Laws – with an aim to encourage Indigenous entrepreneurs to bring new carbon crediting methodologies to market and to require external project developers to respect traditional knowledges and governance systems which are known to protect carbon and biodiversity.
- Removing barriers to market engagement – to support the above ambition to enable as many entrepreneurs from Indigenous Peoples and local communities to enter the market as possible.
The secretariat also seeks to ensure the Forum’s insights and inputs are integrated into the continuous improvement work of the Integrity Council in its ongoing drive towards a high integrity voluntary carbon market. The Forum also provides input into the Integrity Council’s assessment processes.
Partnering with the Forum
As the Forum becomes increasingly established and continues to evolve, there are valuable opportunities for partnership to support its development and long-term success.
If you are interested in working alongside the Integrity Council to contribute to the Forum’s ongoing growth, please complete the expression of interest form here.
Governance Documents
The following are the Governance Documents for the Forum:
The aim of these documents is to provide essential information about what the Forum intends to achieve and how it will operate in order to achieve this.
“ We see the enormous potential and opportunities that carbon markets can present for Indigenous Peoples. There has to be integrity for the carbon markets to benefit the community. ”
— Kanyinke Sena, Indigenous People and local communities member, ICVCM Governing Board
Meet the Engagement Forum
Discover the dedicated individuals who ensure transparency, credibility, and integrity in the voluntary carbon market. Our diverse team is built by people from different backgrounds with a broad range of professional and personal skills, as well as knowledge relating to indigenous and local issues.
Get in touch
You can contact the VCM Engagement Forum using the following form. All submissions shall be presented to the Co-Chairs of the Forum.
VCM Engagement Forum Contact Form
A specific contact form for the VCM Engagement Forum that helps establish that it is distinct entity from the ICVCM.
Media Highlights
Stay informed about the latest news, insights, and discussions from the Forum.
Explore our social media channels and blog for updates on our work, events, and initiatives.
Press Releases
New Forum will give Indigenous Peoples and local communities a strong voice in shaping high-integrity voluntary carbon market.
Social Media Highlights
Join the conversation! Engage with us on social media and learn about the diverse and experienced Forum members, representing regions worldwide, bring invaluable expertise to this initiative.
Upcoming Events
No upcoming events.
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The Integrity Council recognises both Indigenous Peoples and local communities as different and distinct peoples with discreet rights and interests as expressed in international and national instruments, and in traditional laws.
