Researching Green Activism: How to Better Protect Communities, Civil Society Organizations, Networks, and Climate Change Defenders in East Africa
Duration: 1 February 2024 to 1 February 2027
What is this programme about?
This programme aims to create an enabling environment for climate change defenders from ethnic minorities and indigenous peoples to play their role in pushing for responsive climate actions, holding governments accountable and protecting communities adversely affected by climate change impacts in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
The programme will generate knowledge by collecting evidence that leads to a deeper understanding of key stakeholders of the challenges faced by environmental activists from the ethnic and indigenous minorities. It will equip environmental activists from ethnic minorities and indigenous peoples with knowledge and ideas on how to develop successful strategies to mitigate the challenges they face as part of their work. It will promote greater collaboration, cross exchange and learning between duty bearers, civil society movements, in order to make decision-making processes more inclusive.
Why are we delivering this programme?
While Africa contributes about 2 to 3 per cent of global emissions, it stands out as disproportionately impacted by climate change. East Africa has emerged as a highly vulnerable region to climate change across the continent since it depends heavily on climate-impacted sectors such as forestry and agriculture for economic growth. Meanwhile in all three research countries, a shrinking civic space is particularly visible in the context of climate change and natural resource management. Environmental defenders and activists frequently face threats, harassment, intimidation and attacks of increasing gravity.
This programme seeks to understand the nature and drivers of threats to environmental rights defenders from minority and Indigenous communities operating in contexts of shrinking civic space. It will generate strategies: to respond to these threats; to promote the rights of the affected populations; for civil society actors and social movements to promote greater gender equality and social inclusion in climate policies and action; and on how climate and environmental defenders, activists, and social movements can build stronger alliances with other movements and actors.
What are we doing?
Our transdisciplinary team, led by local indigenous organisations will work closely with community members to identify key environmental issues, co-create adaptive strategies, and advocate for supportive policies at local, national, and international levels. Through a series of workshops, convenings and policy dialogues, we will generate crucial data on climate impacts, build local research capacity and facilitate indigenous communities in leading their own climate adaptation efforts. The programme’s initial phase will culminate in a side event at the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights for policymakers and advocates for minority and indigenous justice, amplifying the voices of these communities on a regional stage and contributing to the broader discussion on climate change and the rights of minorities and indigenous peoples.
Who are our partners?
- Resource Rights Africa (RRA)
- Legal and Human Rights Centre (LHRC)
- Isiolo Gender Watch (IGW)
- Buliisa Initiative for Rural Development Organisation (BIRUDO)
Who is funding this programme?
This project is funded by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC).
