Pokhara. Three days national level training workshop on climate change for Indigenous Peoples was held on pokhara from December 28 to 30, 2024. The International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs (IWGIA) successfully organized a three-day training workshop, bringing together 66 participants. Among the attendees were Indigenous Leaders, representatives from NEFIN District Coordination Committees (DCCs) and Provincial Coordination Committees (PCCs), affiliated Indigenous Organizations, Indigenous Peoples Organizations (IPOs), and villages engaged in the ICI Project.

This event provided a platform for fostering dialogue and collaboration on issues related to climate change and indigenous rights.In this 3 days training workshop, among 62 participants 7 were from NEFIN PCCs, 17 were from NEFIN DCCs, 10 from IPOs, 6 from Affiliated, chairperson and vice chairperson of Lomanthang rural municipality, and others were from Syang, Thini , Chimang of Mustang, Ulleri and Chommrong of Kaski district villages engaged in ICI project.

The resource person for this 3 days workshop were, Sukh Bir Thami, Tunga Rai (NEFIN CCPP), Dr. Sindhu Dhungana (MOFE), Manoj Rai (LAHURNIP), Nabaraj Pudasaini (REDD), Yuwaraj Guragain (IUCN), Rajan Poudel (NTNC), Mukti Bikram Chhetri from AEPC, Sushila Thapa Magar from BRCRN, Peter Carlson from GCF, Divash Rai (NEFIN), Ananda Thapa (SWC).The workshop began on December 28 with a focus on building the capacity of Indigenous Peoples (IPs) in understanding their rights, lifeways, worldviews, and their crucial role in addressing climate change. The workshop included sessions on adaptation, mitigation, loss and damage, the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC), and the National Adaptation Plan (NAP), REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation), Cancun Safeguards, the LEAF Coalition, the FCPF Carbon Fund, and Green Climate Fund (GCF)-supported initiatives like FP131, led by IUCN and NTNC, Independent Grievance Redress Mechanism (IGRM), NBSAP, and discussions on the cultural and collective identity of Indigenous Peoples. Key topics included the significance of traditional practices, festivals, land rights, and the Social Welfare Council (SWC) process. Additionally, the day featured discussions on the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage and the Indigenous Navigator.

By the end of the three days, the workshop had successfully created a platform for meaningful exchange, equipping participants with actionable knowledge. The event empowered participants to engage in national policy-making, advocate for inclusive conservation practices, and ensure equitable access to climate-related benefits.