Bardiya, Sindhupalchok & Solukhumbu: The Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities Climate Change Partnership Program (NEFIN CCPP) conducted a series of grassroot-level awareness raising events on the rights-based natural resource management and biodiversity conservation under the PODONG Indigenous Peoples Initiative in Bansgadhi (Bardiya), Bodgaun and Simpal (Sindhupalchok), and Chheskam and Mamerku (Solukhumbu).

The workshops aimed to raise awareness and strengthen the capacity of Indigenous Peoples to advocate for their collective rights and advance rights-based biodiversity conservation and climate action. The sessions highlighted Indigenous Peoples’ rights under national and international framework, the protection and promotion of Indigenous knowledge and customary institutions. Emphasis was on Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) and social and environmental safeguards to ensure the meaningful participation of women, youth, and marginalized groups. A total of 436 participants (134 men and 302 women) participated in the workshops, with meaningful stakeholder engagement including Indigenous customary leaders, representatives of customary institutions and Indigenous Peoples’ Organizations (IPOs), mothers’ groups, youth clubs, local government representatives, and community members.

The workshops combined presentations, video documentary screenings, participatory discussions, knowledge and experience sharing, and participatory mapping of culturally significant sites and species to foster dialogue and strengthen Indigenous-led, rights-based approaches to biodiversity conservation and climate action.