United Nations related resources for indigenous peoples

The UN System has established some funds that are specifically intended for indigenous peoples. Some of these funds are intended to help finance the participation of indigenous people at UN meetings, while other funds are for small projects.

In addition to these funds, there are great deal of donors that have funded indigenous peoples' participation in the Forum and other activities. The OHCHR website has a compilation of donors.  

Funds that assist indigenous peoples' participation in UN related meetings and events
 

United Nations Voluntary Fund for Indigenous Populations

The Voluntary Fund for Indigenous Populations awards grants to representatives of indigenous peoples' organizations to travel and participate in the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. The Fund is administered by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. The OHCHR website provides all of the relevant information, including application forms. 

Convention on Biological Diversity Voluntary Funding Mechanism for Indigenous and Local Communities

The Convention on Biological Diversity has a voluntary fund to assist
indigenous and local community representatives to participate in
meetings of interest to them held under the Convention.

Information on meetings is available at the CBD's calendar of meetings.

Information on the voluntary fund, including applications forms in the
six United Nations languages are available at the CBD Website.  

World Intellectual Property Organization Voluntary Contribution Fund for Accredited Indigenous and Local Communities

The World Intellectual Property Organization also has a voluntary fund for indigenous and local communities to participate in relevant WIPO meetings. The WIPO website has information about the fund, including application forms.

Project Funding

The Global Environment Facility's Small Grants Programme aims to deliver global environmental benefits in the GEF Focal Areas 

The Global Environment Facility's Small Grants Programme aims to deliver global environmental benefits in the GEF Focal Areas of biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation, protection of international waters, prevention of land degradation (primarily desertification and deforestation), and elimination of persistent organic pollutants through community-based approaches 

Indigenous Peoples Assistance Facility

The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)  is inviting indigenous peoples’ organizations and communities, and organizations that work with them, to apply for grants that fund projects and partnerships to promote the development of indigenous peoples and their unique cultural identity.

Grants ranging from US$20,000 to US$50,000 will be awarded to applicants from IFAD’s developing Member States through the Indigenous Peoples Assistance Facility (IPAF).

You can find more information on application requirements and an application form on the

IFAD website