Strengthening the Capacities of the Government of Paraguay to Address the Mobility of Indigenous Communities in The Context Of Climate Change, Environmental Degradation and Deforestation

Elements of Innovation

• Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction
• Diversity, Gender and Inclusion
• Data, Research and Technology

What is the project about?

Paraguay's culturally diverse indigenous communities, which comprise twenty ethnic groups belonging to five linguistic families, face significant challenges in the face of climate change. Acknowledging previous national endeavors to uphold their rights and ensure access to services, this initiative, in close partnership with the Paraguayan Indigenous Institute, aims to prevent the forced migration of indigenous groups triggered by climate change, environmental degradation, and deforestation.

The core objectives of the project are multifaceted. They involve conducting a comprehensive assessment that explores the relationship between climate change and the movement patterns of the Mbya Guarani indigenous communities. Additionally, the project seeks to develop intervention guidelines tailored for officials from the Paraguayan Indigenous Institute, to establish precise data collection protocols for the targeted communities, and to launch a pilot program under the leadership of the Institute's officials, so to ultimately enhance the resilience and adaptability of indigenous groups vis-à-vis the impacts of climate change.

How is the project innovative?

While the potential for indigenous knowledge to contribute to global climate action is by now acknowledged widely, acknowledgement has not often been translated into tangible action. This project's innovation lies in how it recognizes the substantial potential of indigenous knowledge to drive global climate action.

What sets this project apart is its deep integration of indigenous perspectives and community needs. Integrating such perspective is vital considering that a significant portion of the world’s non- commercial land and valuable resources - such as minerals, forests, rivers, and energy sources - are located in or around indigenous communities' territories. What is noteworthy is also that the project is developed through inclusive discussions and informed consent, emphasizing a distinctly human-centered approach that aligns with the principles of sustainable development.

Ultimately, the project's novelty is evident in its combination of climate adaptation, community empowerment, and indigenous rights, showing a path toward acknowledging that excluding indigenous voices from national policies and global development efforts undermines global climate goals and sustainable development in the face of a changing climate.