Indigneous-led GeoStory Camps

At the current rate of deforestation, by 2030, only 10% of the world's rainforests will remain, posing a critical threat to biodiversity and the environment. Deforestation, particularly in biodiversity hotspots like the rainforests of Sumatra, is exacerbating this crisis. Indigenous communities are disproportionately impacted. These communities have historically served as stewards of biodiversity but are now facing displacement and loss of land rights due to encroachment by extractive industries like palm oil, and mining. These same frontline Indigenous communities have proven to be the most effective environmental stewards, with deforestation up to 50% lower in our territories, especially with full legal rights over our land. However, we are often sidelined in solutions around climate action and forest preservation.

We currently work with 8 Indigenous communities over 5 counrties within the world's most at-risk biodiversity hotspots - including the coral triangle, Amazon Basin, and Leuser ecosystem. Below is just one of 8 examples of the problem we are aiming to solve, in collaboration with Indigenous communities. Just as the problem is scalable and replicated across the world, so can our co-designed solution be.

Since first collaborating with the Orang Rimba in 2022, we have continued evidence that infrastructure projects and palm oil monoculture continue to cause displacement and threats to both livelihood and survival for the Orang Rimba living in the Jambi region of Sumatra, Indonesia. Currently, among ~3,000 community members, there are subgroups who are being displaced, and others facing imminent threat of displacement, due to company encroachment on their land. Encroaching villagers often harass, exclude, and are violent towards them.

Companies have, without following any consent (FPIC) processes, destroyed key cultural and subsistence areas. The National Park Authority governs their land, within the externally defined confines of the Bukit Duabelas National Park. They have not included the Orang Rimba in discussion around the use of land or the changing of the boundaries of the protected areas in which the Orang Rimba live. For example, the community has been evicted from the area with birthing trees destroyed that are key to the pregnancy and birthing customs of this community. There have also been cases of violence against the Orang Rimba from the nearby villages.

The Orang Rimba had survived within the confines of the ever diminishing Bukit Duabelas National park, however, they are now forced to move or flee, therefore are internally displaced peoples. With no access to their traditional areas of subsistence and custom, they continue to lose both their conservation role and agency to be custodians of the Bukit Duabelas National Park.

The Orang Rimba currently have no agency in litigation or advocacy with the governing National Park Authority, which hosts them. In the last 24 months, relationships have been strained between this authority and encroaching villagers because the Orang Rimba’s land continues to be sold and destroyed without consent or notice, even within the previously existing protected boundaries. 

People’s Planet Project is an Indigenous-led, non-profit organisation and global movement which aims to collaborate for a world where Indigenous peoples have the agency to stop environmental destruction from industries encroaching on their land and seas; a world where communities are able to live undisturbed on their own territories.

In direct collaboration with Indigenous communities worldwide, People’s Planet Project carries out GeoStory Camps – a long-term collective impact project through which Indigenous communities engage in intensive film and geospatial mapping skills workshops, and are equipped to use these tools to create  evidence-based stories and collect data in realtime for use in advocacy campaigns and legal cases to protect the world’s forests.

We work in high-impact biodiversity hotspots, including the Amazon, Leuser ecosystem, and coral triangle. Our intersectional approach, targeting the world's most at-risk locations, bring together Indigenous communities' intimate knowledge of land and sea with video and geospatial data technologies to be combined as a powerful medium to monitor and expose environmental crimes in real-time.

Our Indigenous-led programme combines best-practice collective impact, community organising, and participatory film and mapping for legal change.

The evidence-based approach addresses this holistically through the use of film and mapping as documentation and evidence-gathering methods, and lead to change via the connection to legal pathways, advocacy within national institutions, and continuous legal and collective impact support built through Indigenous-led working groups.

A collective impact network and interdisciplinary approach that is structured through the Indigenous-led working group brings together local GIS analysts, filmmakers, environmental lawyers, local stakeholders, CSO’s, Indigenous representatives working on an equal footing towards solutions around human rights and climate justice.

Until now, 53 community members have received training: 30 in filmmaking and 23 in geospatial mapping. Participants have begun collecting foundational data and creating stories about their land and its biodiversity. For the next 3 years, trained Indigenous activists from these communities will create film and mapping content backed by legal context, with the support of partner environmental lawyers that People’s Planet Project engages as part of the collective impact working group.

Trained communities are equipped to be active agents in court cases to protect their rights using data-backed evidence. With the current projects in place, People’s Planet Project aims to protect up to 5,242,000 hectares of Indigenous forest and territory, and all the biodiversity within it, in the coming 4 years

Ultimately, the project is designed to be scaled up but maintain contextual relevance across different locations, with other Indigenous tribes utilising and finding success with a similar innovative combination of techniques, and importantly being central active agents in the process. This long-term project equips communities to protect their environmental, land, and cultural rights, achieving self-determination, preserving biodiversity while fostering independent advocacy and collaboration from the frontlines.

Improving quality of life and relationships with ‘host’ communities: Ability to articulate, negotiate, and link experiences to local and national rights will assist the communities that we collaborate with to protect their way of life by engaging in collective governance with relevant national authorities and bargaining power to ensure equity in relationships with encroaching industries.

This project provides Indigenous (often remote) communities with the skills and tools needed to advocate for their rights and protect their ancestral land. By engaging being active agents in participatory litigation and developing evidence-based storytelling, using film and GIS mapping technologies, participants can actively document human rights infringements and environmental damage, enabling tangible evidence to advocate for their rights and resist further displacement.

Positive Impact on Natural Environment: By confirming the rights of the Indigenous communities we work with, as acknowledged custodians of the area in which they have been impacted or displaced, the biodiversity and ecological integrity will be secured. In Sumatra, for example, this looks like 60,500 hectares of the Bukit Duabelas forest will be safeguarded.

With increased agency, within the ‘host’ authorities, these communities can manage the land sustainably and advocate for environmental protection: Successful negotiations with the ‘host’ authorities will allow for preservation of vital ecosystems and help mitigate deforestation, a critical issue in biodiversity hotspots.

Fostering Positive Engagement and Active Agency in Climate Justice: The co-designed GeoStory Camp and technology that is left with the communities fosters positive engagement between the Indigenous communities; relevant local experts; and the relevant national institutions. By involving participants in decision-making, capacity is built to advocate for rights, and supporting the professionalisation of their representative organisations, the project promotes inclusivity, empowerment, and mutual respect between impacted or displaced groups and their 'hosts' - which are either national authorities or encroaching industries, depending on the location. The evidence-based films and maps produced will support advocacy and litigation to secure and maintain the communities' deep connection to their ancestral land, and continue being active custodians. This project empower Indigenous representatives to mobilise using combined technologies and Indigenous knowledge to effectively practise collective governance, improving their livelihoods while protecting the biodiversity hotspot that they depend on for survival.

Our diverse team of filmmakers, community organising experts, GIS analysts, Indigenous educators, and environmental litigators allows People’s Planet Project to be uniquely positioned to deliver this program effectively, having already established deep engagement with the Orang Rimba (Sumatra); Linge (Sumatra); Lovongai (Papua New Guinea); Kisedje (Brazil); Yudja (Brazil); Yanomami (Brazil); Shipibo-Konibo (Peru) - and more - communities through extensive consultation processes and foundational workshops.

We have laid the groundwork for the next stage of the GeoStory Camp program over 4 years, focusing on equipping community members with essential technological skills in film and GIS mapping, which are integral to the program's success. This early involvement of the community in the co-design process has allowed for meaningful input into the program's content and goals, ensuring alignment with the community's needs and priorities. This next stage is ready for impact: Communities are linked with environmental lawyers and are now ready to combine the skills learnt with a litigation pathway.

Our program framework incorporates a strong focus on Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment (GEWE) and Environmental Protection and Climate Change outcomes. We recognize the importance of encouraging female participation in the project and have already observed an increase in female engagement across previous workshops. Understanding the unique gender norms within Indigenous communities, we have devised strategies to include female voices and input in culturally sensitive ways, such as through interviews and participation in mapping processes. Our commitment to ongoing gender analysis, consultations, and monitoring ensures that female involvement remains a key focus throughout the project, promoting balanced gender perspectives in all activities.

Furthermore, our program directly contributes to Environmental Protection and Climate Change outcomes by empowering communities to protect their land and natural resources through legal and technical skills transfer. By enabling Indigenous-led environmental protection and sustainable resource management, we aim to influence laws and policies in favor of Indigenous rights, ensuring their territorial and land management rights are upheld with their participation at the core.

Recognizing Indigenous communities' role as custodians of nature and biodiversity, particularly in areas like Jambi, Indonesia, our program seeks to support and amplify their traditional stewardship practices, contributing to national and international climate and nature conservation goals.

Our team's expertise in community engagement, capacity building, and program implementation positions us well to deliver tangible outcomes for these 8 communities, and to scale up. Through ongoing collaboration and consultation, we are committed to empowering the community to advocate for their rights, protect their environment, and achieve sustainable development in line with their cultural values and aspirations.

People’s Planet Project’s key milestones are achieved through its GeoStory Camps initiative. The first and second phases of the GeoStory Camps have been implemented with representatives from the 12 tribal communities across Lovongai (Papua New Guinea) island, the Kīsêdjê and Yudjá communities in Brazil’s Amazon; the Orang Rimba and Linge communities in Indonesia; and the Shipibo community in the Peruvian Amazon. These foundational programs focused on building strong filmmaking and geospatial mapping skills, and enabled peacebuilding processes between previously warring tribes. 

53 community members have received training: 30 in filmmaking and 23 in geospatial mapping. Participants have begun collecting foundational data and creating stories about their land and its biodiversity. For the next 3 years, trained Indigenous activists from these communities will create film and mapping content backed by legal context, with the support of partner environmental lawyers that People’s Planet Project engages as part of the collective impact working group. To date, PPP has successfully supported the Linge community, custodians of the Leuser ecosystem in Sumatra, to fend off a planned gold mining project by acquiring the social forestry scheme through the evidence-based storytelling methodology, showing how film, geospatial mapping, and litigation can strengthen Indigenous legal redress and protect biodiversity and land.

People’s Planet Project values long-term partnerships, for example: The continued Kīsêdjê collaboration in Brazil, original participants from 3 years ago are still connected with the organization’s projects and have developed their own film production company.

Trained communities are equipped to begin court cases to protect their rights using data-backed evidence. With the current projects in place, People’s Planet Project aims to protect up to 5,242,000 hectares of Indigenous forest and territory, and all the biodiversity within it, in the coming 4 years.

People’s Planet Project is seeking support from MITs global network to enhance our GeoStory Camps with additional expertise and funding, particularly focusing on predictive GIS models and backend technological infrastructure for the next phase of the GeoStory Camps.

Our GeoStory Camps are not just about documenting delicate ecosystems; they're about empowering Indigenous communities to be active agents in protecting their territories. By collaborating directly with impacted communities, we aim to equip them with the tools and knowledge needed to safeguard vital carbon sink ecosystems. However, as we progress into the next phase of the GeoStory Camps, we recognize the need to deepen our expertise in predictive GIS models and backend technological infrastructure to bolster our efforts, and think that MITs network could bring an added element to our collective impact network that we have so far built across the 8 communities that we currently work with.

Our approach is rooted in the power of evidence-based storytelling, combining film and geospatial mapping data to empower trained Indigenous communities to use these tools effectively as evidence in legal cases and decision-making spaces. What sets our project apart is its co-design with Indigenous groups and its dual focus on both proative and reactive campaigning. We believe that having a partnership with MIT, and the expertise of a global network of change-makers will bolster our efforts, and deepen the ability for us to use technology as we envision: In collaboration and co-design with Indigenous knowledge holders.

As we move forward, we see the potential for predictive GIS models to play a crucial role in early detection of potential deforestation, empowering communities to take preventative action through local legal mechanisms. However, to implement these models effectively, we require additional expertise and resources in predictive GIS modeling and backend technological infrastructure.

By harnessing the power of predictive GIS models and enhancing our backend technological infrastructure, we can further strengthen the impact of our GeoStory Camps and empower Indigenous communities to secure their future. With the support of a global network, we can access the expertise and funding needed to take our project to the next level, safeguarding delicate ecosystems and advancing Indigenous rights.

The GeoStory Camps represent an innovative approach to environmental conservation and Indigenous rights, focusing on the fusion of film and geospatial mapping technology, along with participatory litigation pathways co-designed with Indigenous knowledge at the core. By collaborating directly with impacted communities, this collective impact project revolutionizes the traditional concept of conservation by placing the tools and knowledge directly in the hands of frontline communities themselves, and bringing together modern and ancestral technologies in the fight for climate justice.

At the heart of the GeoStory Camps is the belief in the power of evidence-based storytelling. This innovative approach combines the use of film and geospatial mapping data as potent tools when wielded by trained Indigenous communities. Not only do these methods serve as powerful mediums for documenting delicate ecosystems, but they also serve as crucial evidence in legal cases, amplifying Indigenous voices in decision-making spaces where they have historically been marginalized.

What sets this project apart is its co-design with Indigenous groups, ensuring that the solutions are tailored to the unique contextual needs of each community. This co-design process allows for the accommodation of both preventative and reactive measures. On one hand, the camps aim to prevent further destruction of land and sea by empowering communities to protect their territories. On the other hand, they seek community-led paths to justice, ensuring the preservation of Indigenous rights and subsistence.

The innovative combination of approaches—collective impact, co-design, and evidence-based methodologies—makes the GeoStory Camps adaptive and responsive to the dynamic challenges faced by Indigenous peoples. By acknowledging the effectiveness of frontline Indigenous communities as environmental stewards, with deforestation rates up to 50% lower in their territories, this project challenges the status quo of excluding Indigenous voices from climate action and forest preservation solutions.

This project represents a paradigm shift in environmental conservation efforts, recognizing that Indigenous communities are not just passive beneficiaries but active agents of change. By equipping these communities with the necessary tools and knowledge, the GeoStory Camps empower them to reclaim their rightful place as custodians of the land. This innovative approach not only fosters environmental sustainability but also promotes social justice and Indigenous sovereignty.

Legal cases fought by Indigenous communities can be strengthened with the combination of evidence-based storytelling tools, using film and geospatial mapping created by communities themselves, by supporting frontline impacted communities to collate and present the evidence of environmental destruction.

Through drone footage and images, community members are able to capture and expose invasive industry actions within their ancestral territories. Through mapping tools and databases, Indigenous communities are able to gather spatial data on tree cover loss, fires, and large-scale deforestation.

This data provides the trained communities with the geolocation of unsustainable practices and can be used as scientific evidence to back film footage showing the infringement of Indigenous and environmental rights. This combination of storytelling has a great potential to be used as powerful legal evidence to halt deforestation, uphold environmental laws, and preserve Indigenous land.

Our more detailed theory of change can be found here: https://www.peoplesplanetproje...

More detailed breakdown of our long-term GeoStory Camp program here: https://www.peoplesplanetproje...

People’s Planet Project is contributing to a decolonised way of working that does not reflect the status quo, ensuring that the modes of documentation, witnessing, monitoring, litigation and storytelling are in the hands of those at the frontlines so that they not only have the agency to document their own experiences, but also the platform to have these experiences told in court. 

Film and geospatial mapping are taught in the Phase I skills-based GeoStory Camps, and then connected to legal mechanisms and knowledge via Stage II evidence-based GeoStory Camps. Once the foundational skills are learnt, participants then connect these skills to the local and national legal context regarding Indigenous and environmental rights. They collaborate with each other and legal experts to determine the best pathways to pursue legal victories protecting their land, using their own Indigenous-created content as legal evidence.

PPP is working together with an earth observation agency to develop predictive GIS models that will enable frontline communities to detect first signs of potential deforestation, such as the first signs of road-building for trucks. Partner Indigenous communities can receive deforestation alerts to locate new concessions, document them, and stop destruction at an early or preventative stage through local legal mechanisms.

All these activities are organized through an Indigenous-led working group consisting of multiple stakeholders and experts within the realm of filmmaking, geospatial mapping, environmental and criminal law and Indigenous leaders working together on an even footing in seeking climate justice pathways. This continued support from People’s Planet Project is important to our communities, sustaining the work and activism and building collective impact through networks.

The combination is exceptional as it dismantles the dependence of Indigenous communities on external third-party filmmakers or reporters, NGOs, and experts - instead, the witness testimonies, maps, cultural knowledge, and frontline experiences are captured by the people best-placed to tell it: those experiencing it themselves.

The impact goals of the GeoStory Camps for Indigenous communities are structured around a series of outputs, outcomes, and expected impacts. These elements collectively outline the project's objectives and provide a framework for measuring progress and assessing success.

Outputs:

1. Community Co-Creation: Active involvement of Indigenous community members in designing the program and developing essential resources like the GeoStory Camp curriculum and Human Rights Toolkit.
2. Workshops: Conducting four GeoStory Camp workshops, two focusing on foundational skills in film and GIS mapping, and two on participatory litigation and evidence gathering for legal advocacy.
3. Technology and Skills: Equipping the entire Indigenous community with technology and skills necessary for creating evidence-based stories usable in court, advocacy, or education.
4. Stakeholder Engagement: Facilitating connections between Indigenous community members and local/international stakeholders through a working group and collective impact network.
5. Capacity Building: Training over 30 community leaders per community collaboration to independently create evidence-based storytelling projects and transfer GIS mapping and film skills to others.
6. Land Mapping: Mapping and delineating Indigenous ancestral land according to local customs and medicinal plant knowledge.
7. Medicinal Plant and Sacred Spaces Documentation: Documenting and mapping medicinal plants and sacred spaces within relevant areas.
8. Toolkit Development: Creating tailored Human Rights Toolkit and GeoStory Camp curriculum for Indigenous communities, with broader relevance for social justice advocacy.
9. Feedback Mechanism: Establishing a feedback cycle between community members and stakeholders to reflect on and improve the program.
10. Monitoring and Evaluation: Reporting on lessons learned and impact measured through monitoring and evaluation activities.

Outcomes:

1. Legal Evidence: Using legally-strong film and mapping data as evidence in court cases and advocacy campaigns.
2. Prevention of Displacement: Preventing further displacement of Indigenous communities and ensuring their rights within their territories.
3. Territorial Protection: Gaining support from relevant authorities to protect Indigenous ancestral areas and prevent encroachment by external forces.
4. Recognition of Land Rights: Securing acknowledgment and protection of Indigenous land management rights within designated territories.
5. Cultural Preservation: Legal support for the use of ancestral practices by Indigenous communities.
6. Organizational Strengthening: Strengthening Indigenous organizations as legal entities representing their communities, facilitating collaboration with other stakeholders.
7. Skills Enhancement: Equipping Indigenous community members with advanced skills in evidence-based storytelling and mapping for rights protection.
8. Scale-Up Opportunities: Providing insights from monitoring and evaluation to scale-up human rights and Indigenous self-determination projects.

Expected Impact:

1. Capacity Enhancement: Empowering Indigenous communities to advocate for their environmental, land, and cultural rights through evidence-based storytelling.
2. Self-Determination: Fostering self-determination within Indigenous communities within their territories.
3. Biodiversity Protection: Safeguarding the biodiversity of relevant areas and surrounding territories from external threats.
4. Collaborative Conservation: Promoting collaborative efforts between Indigenous communities and relevant authorities for biodiversity preservation.
5. Organizational Empowerment: Enabling Indigenous communities and organizations to independently conduct advocacy work and collaborate with other stakeholders.
6. Female Empowerment: Empowering female activists within Indigenous communities and organizations.

By focusing on these outputs, outcomes, and expected impacts, the GeoStory Camps aim to effect tangible positive changes for Indigenous communities, their environments, and their rights, while providing a framework for ongoing evaluation and improvement.

The combination of technologies is strategic, addressing multiple challenges faced by Indigenous peoples while amplifying agency in decision-making processes.

GIS:

GIS technology enables the visualization, analysis, and interpretation of spatial data, making it a valuable tool for mapping and understanding land use and environmental changes. GIS is utilized to map Indigenous territories, delineate boundaries, document land features, and track environmental changes over time. 

Film:

Film serves as a powerful medium for storytelling, allowing Indigenous communities to document their experiences, cultural heritage, and struggles for land rights. Through the GeoStory Camps, Indigenous participants learn how to use film equipment, capture footage, conduct interviews, and edit videos. These skills empower them to share their narratives with the worldand mobilize support for their causes. By combining GIS mapping with film, Indigenous communities can visually represent their stories, linking personal experiences with spatial data to create compelling evidence to use in court.

Participatory Litigation:

Participatory litigation involves the active involvement of affected communities in legal proceedings related to their rights and interests. In the context of the GeoStory Camps, Indigenous communities are equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to engage in legal advocacy, including evidence gathering, case preparation, and courtroom representation. By partnering with legal experts and organizations, Indigenous participants learn strategies for challenging injustices through litigation.

Combining Technologies:

By combining these technologies, enable Indigenous communities can:

1. Document Evidence: Indigenous participants use GIS mapping to spatially document land use, environmental changes, and resource exploitation, while film captures personal narratives, testimonies, and community perspectives. Together, these forms of evidence provide a comprehensive picture of the challenges faced by Indigenous communities.

2. Build Advocacy Campaigns: Armed with GIS maps and compelling video footage, Indigenous communities can launch advocacy campaigns to raise awareness about threats to their territories. Film screenings, social media campaigns, and community events serve as platforms for sharing stories, and mobilizing support for collective action.

3. Support Legal Cases: GIS mapping data and film evidence serve as critical tools in legal cases related to land rights, environmental protection, and Indigenous sovereignty. Indigenous communities can use GIS maps to demonstrate historical land use, traditional territories, and customary land management practices, while film footage provides firsthand accounts of injustices and human rights violations. In courtrooms, these forms of evidence strengthen legal arguments, and support community testimonies.

Why the Combination Works:

The combination of GIS mapping, film, and participatory litigation is effective because it addresses the multifaceted nature of Indigenous struggles for land rights and environmental justice. While GIS provides spatial context and data-driven insights, film fostering understanding among diverse audiences including national authorities. It can also be powerful to use in court as oral testimony and evidence. Participatory litigation empowers Indigenous communities to seek legal remedies for injustices and assert their rights within formal legal systems.

Together, these technologies amplify Indigenous voices, enhance advocacy efforts, and contribute to meaningful change at all levels. All while centering Indigenous communities as active agents in their fight for climate justice.

We currently operate with a dedicated team of 5 part-time or un-paid staff members who are deeply committed to the organization's mission. We currently do not have core funding.

People’s Planet Project also maintains a network of experts in GIS, film, and law who are contracted as needed when program funds allow.

The network of experts is mobilized for particular components of the Geostory Camp, where their expertise is most needed and project funds are available. As program funds allow, additional experts can be brought in to address emerging issues or provide specialized training and support to communities.

Over five years, People’s Planet Project has prioritized empowering Indigenous communities through innovative evidence-based storytelling and participatory litigation. Notably, 39 community members from diverse Indigenous groups have undergone advanced training in filmmaking and geospatial mapping, laying the groundwork for advocacy and legal actions. Looking ahead to 2025, plans include expanding training initiatives to include more individuals from various communities, with the aim of protecting up to 5,242,000 hectares of Indigenous forest and territory. Through the creation of legally strong evidence in films and maps, communities are preparing to safeguard their rights and territories against environmental and human rights abuse

People’s Planet Project is committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment that values diversity and promotes collective impact. As an organization that operates globally and engages with Indigenous communities from various regions, it recognizes the importance of inclusivity in its approach to staff recruitment, training, and collaboration.

One of the core principles guiding People’s Planet Project is the belief that diversity enriches the organization and strengthens its ability to create positive change. From the outset, the organization prioritizes inclusivity in its recruitment process, actively seeking staff members from diverse religious, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds. By bringing together individuals with different perspectives and lived experiences, People’s Planet Project cultivates a dynamic and inclusive team that reflects the diversity of the communities it serves.

Moreover, the organization is committed to providing a supportive environment where staff members feel valued, respected, and empowered to contribute their unique talents and insights. Through training programs, workshops, and ongoing professional development opportunities, People’s Planet Project invests in the growth and well-being of its staff, ensuring they have the resources and support they need to thrive in their roles.

In addition to fostering inclusivity within its own team, People’s Planet Project embraces a collective impact approach to its work, recognizing that meaningful change requires collaboration and partnership across diverse stakeholders. By engaging with Indigenous communities, local organizations, government agencies, and other stakeholders, the organization seeks to build alliances and leverage collective expertise to address complex environmental and social challenges.

The collective impact approach emphasizes the importance of shared goals, open communication, and mutual respect among all stakeholders. People’s Planet Project facilitates collaborative decision-making processes that honor the perspectives and priorities of each participant, ensuring that initiatives are co-designed and implemented in a culturally sensitive and inclusive manner.

We recognize the importance of building trust and fostering authentic relationships with Indigenous communities and other partners. By prioritizing transparency, accountability, and mutual respect in its interactions, People’s Planet Project cultivates long-term partnerships based on shared values and common goals.

People’s Planet Project operates on social impact as a non-profit. Rather than focusing on financial gains, we seek to enhance human capacity by developing expert greenbelts in biodiversity hotspots, comprised of Indigenous communities equipped with the skills and tools to map and film changes to their land.

The scalability of this model lies in its ability to be replicated as training programs and capacity-building initiatives across diverse Indigenous communities worldwide, doubling as an employment pathway. By investing in training and empowering local community members, People’s Planet Project creates a network of skilled individuals capable of documenting environmental changes, advocating for their rights, and initiating legal actions to protect their territories.

At the core of the organization's approach is the combination of technology and human skill. By providing training in filmmaking and geospatial mapping, People’s Planet Project equips Indigenous communities with the tools needed to collect and analyze data effectively. These skills enable community members to create compelling visual narratives that highlight environmental challenges and human rights abuses, serving as powerful advocacy tools.

By fostering partnerships with local environmental lawyers and other stakeholders, People’s Planet Project ensures that the evidence collected by Indigenous communities is legally robust and can withstand scrutiny in court. This collaborative approach strengthens the capacity of Indigenous communities to assert their rights and seek justice for violations committed against them - it also enhances the ability for Indigenous communities to use knowledge and expertise wisely at the bargaining table, whether this be with national authorities or industries.

The impact of People’s Planet Project's business model extends beyond individual communities to influence governments and advocacy organizations. By demonstrating the effectiveness of community-led initiatives in documenting and addressing environmental threats, the organization sets a precedent for more inclusive and participatory approaches to conservation and land management.

By building the capacity of Indigenous communities to monitor and protect their territories, People’s Planet Project contributes to broader efforts to conserve biodiversity and combat climate change. The data collected by trained community members can inform policy decisions, guide conservation efforts, and support international initiatives aimed at preserving fragile ecosystems.

People’s Planet Project's model prioritizes social impact and environmental sustainability. By empowering Indigenous communities with the skills and tools needed to document and protect their territories, the organization fosters a more inclusive and equitable approach to conservation. Through collective action and collaboration, People’s Planet Project aims to create lasting change that benefits both people and the planet.

People’s Planet Project, in its pursuit of empowering Indigenous communities and preserving biodiversity, has devised a sustainable business model that leverages evidence-based storytelling to drive social impact and fund future initiatives. At the heart of this model lies the creation of compelling narratives through film and geospatial mapping, which serve as powerful tools for advocacy and awareness.

These evidence-based stories, developed by trained Indigenous community members, encapsulate the environmental challenges and human rights abuses faced by Indigenous peoples across the globe. By documenting their struggles and the threats to their territories, these stories not only amplify Indigenous voices but also serve as catalysts for change.

To ensure the broad dissemination and accessibility of these stories, People’s Planet Project plans to establish a subscription-based database. This database will serve as a centralized platform for storing, sharing, and accessing evidence-based narratives created by Indigenous communities. Through a subscription model, individuals, organizations, and institutions will gain access to a wealth of information, insights, and perspectives on environmental issues and Indigenous rights.

The profits generated from subscriptions to the database will be reinvested into funding the program over the next 3-5 years. Rather than seeking external funding or relying solely on donations, this self-sustaining model enables People’s Planet Project to maintain its operations and expand its reach without compromising its mission or values.

By channeling profits back into the program, People’s Planet Project can continue to train and empower Indigenous community members, support advocacy efforts, and initiate legal actions to protect Indigenous territories. This cyclical process ensures the long-term viability and impact of the program, fostering a self-reliant and resilient ecosystem of change-makers.

Moreover, the subscription-based database serves as a valuable resource for researchers, policymakers, activists, and other stakeholders invested in environmental conservation and social justice. By providing access to firsthand accounts, data, and visual evidence, the database facilitates informed decision-making, drives policy change, and fosters collaboration among diverse stakeholders.

In essence, the establishment of a subscription-based database not only generates revenue to sustain the program but also democratizes access to information and empowers communities to tell their own stories. By harnessing the power of evidence-based storytelling, People’s Planet Project catalyzes positive change, fosters greater awareness and empathy, and builds a more equitable and sustainable future for all.