UN Democracy Fund supports Justiça Global’s climate governance project

Justiça Global’s project Strengthening Inclusive Climate Governance in Brazil will receive support from the United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF). The initiative will run from October 2026 to September 2028, with activities in the Brazilian states of Pará, Ceará, Bahia, Pernambuco and Alagoas.

The project aims to strengthen the democratic participation of environmental human rights defenders, particularly Indigenous Peoples and traditional communities, in the development of climate policies. Activities will include training on access to information, participation and comprehensive protection; exchanges to share experiences and develop solutions for a just energy transition; and the creation of a digital platform to support advocacy efforts targeting governments and businesses.

The initiative will be carried out in partnership with Movimento Xingu Vivo para Sempre in the Amazon region, Instituto Terramar along Brazil’s northeastern coast, and the Articulação dos Povos e Organizações Indígenas do Nordeste, Minas Gerais e Espírito Santo (APOINME), an alliance of Indigenous Peoples and organizations from Northeast Brazil, Minas Gerais and Espírito Santo.

The project was selected under the 19th funding round of the United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF), which supports civil society initiatives aimed at expanding civic space, promoting human rights and strengthening democratic participation.

The initiative aligns with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5, on gender equality, and SDG 16, on peace, justice and strong institutions. The focus on these goals in the 19th funding round also connects with the Beijing Platform for Action, which sets out strategies to achieve gender equality and empower women and girls.

By strengthening the capacity of communities and organizations to influence decisions that affect their territories and ways of life, the project aims to contribute to climate justice, gender equity and stronger democracy.

Photo: Laura Vicuña/Cimi