Forests are more than stretches of trees for the Indigenous peoples and local communities who have lived among them for generations. They provide food, shelter and livelihoods, while also carrying cultural traditions and ancestral ties to the land. Yet securing legal rights to these territories remains a challenge in many parts of the world, even as forests play a recognised role in addressing climate change and protecting biodiversity. The Ford Foundation has directed $158.5 million towards organisations working on these issues over five years, surpassing an original $100 million commitment. Its funding has supported hundreds of organisations, including groups seeking greater control over their traditional territories and more direct access to climate-related funding.
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