Help bring Indigenous voices to the United Nations

Indigenous Peoples deserve a seat at the table.

Decisions made at the United Nations can have a profound impact on Indigenous Peoples' rights, lands, cultures and futures. Yet many Indigenous representatives are unable to take part in these discussions because of financial barriers and the complexity of international processes.

Established in 1985, the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Indigenous Peoples helps ensure that Indigenous Peoples can speak for themselves when decisions affecting their communities are being discussed.

Since its establishment, the Fund has supported more than 5,000 Indigenous representatives from over 90 countries. Their participation brings firsthand community perspectives into international discussions and helps connect global commitments with action at the national and local levels. Many return home to share knowledge, engage with public authorities, strengthen advocacy and build new partnerships. Beyond supporting participation, the Fund has also provided capacity-building opportunities to more than 4,000 Indigenous representatives worldwide.

The need remains far greater than available resources.

Each year, the Fund receives approximately 5,000 applications but can support only 3 to 5 per cent of applicants.

When Indigenous voices are absent, decisions are made without the perspectives of the communities most affected. In some United Nations meetings, Fund-supported participants are the only Indigenous representatives present.

Your donation helps remove the barriers that prevent Indigenous Peoples from being heard. It supports travel, training, preparation and follow-up, helping Indigenous representatives engage effectively in international discussions on human rights, climate action, culture and sustainable development.

Every contribution can help bring an Indigenous voice into a United Nations process where that community needs to be heard.