This ambitious and innovative new advocacy project started in October 2003. Its overall aim is to encourage the adoption of new policies, and the better use of existing legal provisions, in order to promote the well-being of Pygmy communities in Cameroon, Republic of Congo and DRC. Specifically, it is working to increase the ability of local organisations to undertake advocacy programmes in favour of Pygmy people, especially those suffering from displacement. The project builds on our work through the Africapacity programme, and forms an important link between Africapacity and other field projects supported in the Congo Basin countries.

Since 2003 this project has contributed to developing the texts for a new law which will protect the rights of indigenous peoples in the Republic of Congo. This, when passed, will be the first law of its kind in Africa. In DRC organisations supporting indigenous 'Pygmy' peoples have sucessfully lobbied for their rights to be included in the process of forest reform underway. Actions included, meetings, letters and eventually a submission to the World Bank Inspection Panel. In addition the project has enabled the Rainforest Foundation and CENADEP to start participatory mapping work with indigenous communties. The project has also enabled the Rainforest Foundation to put greater pressure on international agencies such as the World Bank, and run campaigns in the UK to lobby the British Government to use its influence to ensure the rights of forest dependant peoples are respected.

We have just finished a participatory evaluation of this project, the funding for which will finish at the end of October 2006. You can download the evaluation report here.

Choose a project Select A new law recognising the rights of indigenous peoples in the Republic of Congo Ambohimahamasina - Madagascar Ashaninka Territorial Security - Peru Baka Rights and Mapping - Cameroon Cameroon Education Project Capacity Strengthening - DRC Community Legal Field Workers - Cameroon Forest Policy Monitoring and Lobbying- Gabon Mapping project - DRC NGO input to AFLEG - Congo Basin NGO Input to the new DRC Forestry Laws Social Impacts of Logging Strengthening the Rights of Pygmy People Support to Ogiek Welfare Council Upper Mazaruni Land Claim - Guyana Yekwana and Sanema - Venezuela