This webinar will explore the critical role of Indigenous Peoples and local communities in ecosystem restoration as a solution to climate, conservation and land degradation crisis. It will discuss how Indigenous Peoples and traditional communities have been stewarding and restoring fragile ecosystems, and the importance of reecognising their agency, capacities and knowledge to meet the global goals of ecosystem restoration.

Panelists will present examples of  community-led efforts to restore and conserve ecosystems, leading to win-win situations where ecosystem restoration has also led to poverty alleviation, sustainable development and empowerment of marginalized communities, including women. The discussions will also highlight the various threats and opportunities for community led ecosystem restoration, in particular the importance of secure land rights and access. A global overview will be combined from presentations by ILC members from Central Asia, India and Kenya, illustrating the various innovations, policy and institutional changes  leading to effective, just and sustainable ecosystem restoration. The discussion will focus on the need to scale up community led restoration through resource and policy support, including recognition of community rights and jurisdiction over their land, territories and resources.