The World Bank approved a $4 million grant to strengthen Indigenous leadership in Costa Rica’s forest conservation efforts and boost their access to emission reduction benefits, according to the latest statement.
The National Project to Support Social Inclusion in the Emission Reductions Program will be implemented by the Environmental Bank Foundation through the World Bank’s EnABLE trust fund. This marks Costa Rica’s first project where Indigenous Peoples lead decision-making on conservation investments from start to finish. The initiative will benefit eight Indigenous groups including the Cabécar, Bribri, Ngabe, and others across the country. Special attention goes to Indigenous women and youth who manage natural resources and agricultural activities.
Costa Rica has been working to reduce deforestation through the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility program, but access to benefits hasn’t always reached local communities effectively. The EnABLE fund fills this gap by focusing specifically on social inclusion and ensuring Indigenous Peoples actively participate in conservation efforts. Traditional approaches often excluded Indigenous voices from major environmental decisions despite their deep knowledge of sustainable land management. This new project flips that dynamic by putting Indigenous communities in charge of defining priorities and approving activities. The approach recognizes that effective conservation requires local leadership and traditional ecological knowledge.
“This project marks a milestone in our environmental policy: For the first time, Indigenous Peoples will directly lead the definition and execution of conservation investments,” said Rudolf Lücke, Costa Rica’s Finance Minister.
He emphasized that the partnership recognizes ancestral knowledge, strengthens autonomy, and contributes to more inclusive development. World Bank Country Manager Carine Clert noted that Indigenous worldviews and traditional knowledge are essential for a livable planet. She called the project’s design innovative and highlighted how the entire process was based on Indigenous voices and priorities. The approach offers lessons that other countries could adapt for their own conservation programs.
The project will strengthen Indigenous organizations’ capacity to access emission reduction program benefits while supporting sustainable economic activities. Training will cover new agricultural techniques and technologies that don’t harm natural resources, helping communities create lasting income sources. Funding will also support equipment purchases, land tenure security, and climate resilience activities across participating communities. Infrastructure investments include rainwater harvesting facilities, small-scale irrigation systems, and efficient technologies that boost agricultural productivity sustainably. Environmental education components feature interpretive trails, visitor centers, and programs promoting conservation awareness.
