A Journey of Learning and Unity:Reflections from Our Inclusive Conservation Initiative Africa Learning Exchange in Tanzania
Our week began with the arrival of our dedicated African regional partners ANAPAC and IMPACT, who embarked on long journeys from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Kenya respectively. Among the participants were fellows from each organization and three community members, who came from the remote forests of the DRC and the far northern regions of Kenya. They gathered with us for a unique and first-of-its-kind event: the Africa Regional Learning Exchange, part of the Global Environmental Facility(GEF)-funded Inclusive Conservation Initiative (ICI). Hosted in our beautiful home of Tanzania, this gathering marked a significant milestone in our shared mission to enhance Indigenous Peoples’ and Local Communities’ (IPs & LCs) efforts to steward land, waters, and natural resources.
The ICI is a groundbreaking five-year project aimed at providing direct funding access to indigenous-led conservation initiatives, managed through the collaborative efforts of IUCN and Conservation International. Together with our regional partners, we had the pleasure of welcoming Anita Tzec and Tianyi Zhao from IUCN, along with Lia Lopez from Conservation International. We were also honored to host six key IPLC leaders from Benin, Cameroon, Kenya, Nigeria, and Mozambique, bringing the total number of participants to 37, including those involved in the ICI project and beyond. The core objective of this learning exchange was to enhance the capacity of Indigenous Peoples (IPs), fostering the transformational changes necessary to amplify the contributions of IP&LCs to biodiversity conservation and global environmental benefits.
Day 1: Opening with Inspiration and Exploring Indigenous Solutions
The event started with a powerful and heartfelt opening address and sharing of the history and birth of ICI by Lucy Mulenkei, a Maasai leader from Kenya and a highly respected past member of the GEF Indigenous Peoples Advisory Group (GEF-IPAG). As the director of the Indigenous Information Network, co-chair of the International Indigenous Peoples Forum on Biodiversity (IIFB), and IUCN Indigenous Peoples Organizations Member, Lucy has been instrumental in advocating for better funding access for on-the-ground initiatives supporting Indigenous and local community conservation efforts. Her words resonated deeply with all present, setting the tone for a week of learning, sharing, and collaboration.
Following Lucy’s inspiring speech, Dr Anita Tzec, Senior Program Manager on of Indigenous Peoples and Conservation at IUCN, highlighted the strategy for the ICI in supporting GEF in driving forward these initiatives; as well as the one project approach that IUCN and CI have implemented to ensure that ICI is an IP&LC-led and governed initiative, that addresses the priorities, rights and needs of IP&LCs while ensuring the highest levels of fruitful impacts are attained in communities.
To delve deeper into the models that scale IP&LCs’ solutions for improved livelihoods and biodiversity conservation, UCRT and our other ICI partner organizations—, ANAPAC, and IMPACT—delivered insightful presentations. They explored the complexities of their work, detailing why their solutions are critical, celebrating their achievements, and demonstrating how these align and contribute with the overarching goals of the ICI.
Next, Lia Lopez, Indigenous Conservation Leadership Fellow at CI,who leads the ICI International Environmental Policy Fellows Program, emphasized the importance and various phases of the program, highlighting the value of these capacity-building spaces for ICI fellows, as well as the crucial role of their organizations’ support in continuing to foster their growth and support their leadership.
Subsequently, the ICI fellows presented the results of their case studies, shared their experiences in the program, and discussed their development as future leaders within their organizations. Three fellows participated actively in the ICI Africa Learning Exchange, including Catherine Losurutia from UCRT in Tanzania, Esther Ngalula from ANAPAC in DRC, and William Naimado from IMPACT in Kenya.
This session fostered a vibrant exchange of ideas, with participants asking questions and reflecting on the lessons learned and how these are contributing to the fellow’s leadership and growth. It was a day rich in dialogue, ending on a high note with a cultural Maasai dinner and dance that brought everyone together in celebration of our shared heritages.
Day 2: Voices of Empowerment
The second day provided a platform for IP&LC leaders from beyond the ICI projects to share their perspectives through panel discussions. These discussions, centred around the creation of synergies themes of IP&LC rights to land tenure security, livelihoods, the role of IPs in conservation, gender inclusion, and network collaboration across Africa, which were both enlightening and empowering. The diverse experiences and insights shared by participants highlighted the potential for strengthened synergies and collaborations across the continent. This full day of dialogues offered the audience the opportunity to ask questions and delve deeper into each topic, further enhancing each person’s insight into these critical topics and making connections with IP&LC leaders beyond ICI for further collaboration.
Day 3: A Journey to the Communities of Yaeda Valley
Our learning exchange took a change of scenery on Day 3 as we rose early to embark on a seven-hour journey to the Yaeda Valley, a significant landscape for UCRT’s land tenure achievements. The valley, home to the Hadzabe hunter-gatherer and Datoga pastoralist communities, represents a powerful example of how secure land tenure rights, robust governance, and conservation benefits can sustain ancient cultures and protect biodiverse environments. The Hadzabe’s success story, marked by zero deforestation and a thriving wildlife population, provided a living testament to the impact of UCRT’s support since the community gained secure communal land rights in 2011.
During our journey, we were privileged to witness one of the first milestones in UCRT’s ICI project: the handover of village land certificates to six villages in the Mbulu district for the Iraq agro-pastoralist communities.
This event marked the first step towards full communal rights to land and natural resources in the area. As we settled under the shade of an awning, welcomed by community leaders and local government, the excitement and pride among the hundreds of community members in attendance were palpable.
The formal ceremony led by the Mbulu district government underscored the importance of NGO sector achievements in collaboration with central governments for the future of indigenous conservation in Tanzania. Full of joy, we continued the journey to reach our camp at Gideru ridge and meet the Hadzabe community for sunset.
Day 4: Immersing in Hadzabe Culture and Drawing Parallels
Waking bright and early to catch the sunrise, we welcomed the morning with stunning views over the Yaeda Valley and started our day with the Hadzabe community. Participants were given the opportunity to experience hunting and gathering firsthand, understanding the delicate balance between the community’s needs and the health of their environment. The day’s activities of foraging for honey and digging for tubers were not only enlightening but also fostered deep connections among participants as they shared similar challenges, such as the impact climate change has had on food security and successes from their own communities. Riziki Katindi, a community member from DRC, discussed how their community, like the Hadza, also depend on nature. However, due to conflicts and lack of access to tourism, they are unable to benefit from their environmental stewardship. The successes of securing land and resources tenure rights for the Hadzabe also raised the topic of the benefits of entering into fair and transparent carbon agreements. Kenya community member, Ndirian Tampushi shared some of the challenges communities face in carbon contracts.
This immersive experience culminated in a vibrant evening around the campfire, where rich discussions continued over spiritual attachments to nature, accompanied by traditional songs and dances that echoed through the night.
Day 5: Closing the learning exchange; celebrating International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples
Our final day in Yaeda Valley coincided with a momentous occasion—International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples recognized and celebrated annually on August 9th. This significant day provided the perfect backdrop for the conclusion of our ICI Africa Learning exchange. As we gathered on the top of Gideru Ridge sacred rock, we held hands invoking our ancestors, sharing our key messages and pledges to carry the lessons learned and commitments back to our communities and beyond.
The week’s events not only strengthened our partnerships but also inspired a renewed commitment to catalyzing transformative changes in our respective landscapes. As we departed back to Arusha and onwards to travel back home, we carried with us the knowledge, experiences, and connections forged during this unforgettable week—ready to continue our shared journey towards inclusive conservation and the continued championing of Indigenous Peoples across Africa.
Discover more about our week of workshops, our journey to the Yaeda Valley and our key message by following our shared experiences here:
We extend our gratitude to IUCN, Conservation International, and all the participants for their invaluable contributions in making this event a success and for championing indigenous-led conservation across Africa.
