The United Nations has opened a new round of funding to support indigenous peoples to attend two major conferences in New York and Geneva next year.
United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issuesor UNPFII, is held every year in New York and is scheduled to take place from April 20 to May 1, 2026. Representatives of indigenous peoples and nations from around the world gather to discuss issues ranging from language loss to climate change. This is a unique opportunity for Indigenous advocates to bring global attention to the issues facing their communities, strengthen relationships with other Indigenous peoples, and influence global policy. This year's theme health oriented indigenous peoples, especially in the context of conflict, and participants are also expected discuss the report on the rights of indigenous peoples in the midst of the climate crisis.
Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoplesor EMRIP, will hold another meeting scheduled for July 13-17 next summer in Geneva. The Expert Mechanism is made up of seven experts appointed by the UN Human Rights Council, and its annual meeting gives indigenous peoples' advocates another chance to raise concerns about rights violations.
UN Voluntary Fund for Indigenous Peoples has limited grant funding to pay for transportation, lodging, and registration fees for participants at any of these meetings. The Voluntary Fund seeks to hear from candidates who have experience advocating for their communities and are willing to share their views internationally.
“Your community's wisdom and advocacy deserve to be heard where decisions affecting Indigenous peoples are made,” the Voluntary Fund says in its call for applications. “This fund exists specifically to ensure that financial barriers do not silence the voices of indigenous peoples in the international space.”
What you need to know about the application process
- You you can apply online
- You will need a resume, a copy of your passport, and a letter of recommendation from a leader in your community or organization.
- The deadline is October 31.
- Applicants with financial need will be given priority, as well as those who can demonstrate they represent their communities and have experience working on Indigenous rights issues.
- People with disabilities and LGBTQ+ people are especially encouraged to apply.
- For more information about the criteria and process, see accepting applications
- Additional questions can be directed to Morse Caoagas Flores, Secretary of the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Indigenous Peoples, at: [email protected]
Wonder what's going on at UNPFII?
Grist and other outlets cover the UN permanent forum in New York every year, and our archives will help you know what to expect:
The United Nations and a number of non-governmental organizations also offer training sessions for people who want to learn how to effectively participate in the forum. Last year, Indigenous Partnership for Project Access conducted training sessions for UNPFII and EMRIP in partnership with the UN. The organization also provides free online course for self-study to protect the interests of indigenous peoples at the United Nations.
In his recent book Nothing more from this earthAquinnah Wampanoag writer and former Grist fellow Joseph Lee wrote about what it was like to attend the permanent forum, where he observed both the potential depth and limitations of global advocacy for Indigenous peoples.
“The forum itself, which has been in existence for over 20 years, comes after decades of international advocacy for indigenous peoples to play a more prominent role on the international stage,” he wrote. “There is nowhere else in the world where so many indigenous peoples from around the world can come together to share stories, ideas and communication with each other.”
