Our Three-Pronged Approach
Research Impact
Driving meaningful change through evidence-based research and community partnerships.
3
Research Strands
9
Core Objectives
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Communities Served
CA
Central America Focus
Indigenous & Afro-descendant Self-Governance Innovations
Exploring autonomous self-governance systems that enable communities to assert greater control over their territories and resources through both formal and informal structures.
Key Research Questions:
What are the characteristics of self-governing institutions enacted by Indigenous and Afro-descendant Peoples? How effectively do these governance innovations address challenges in realizing territorial autonomy rights?
Objectives:
01
Investigate and strengthen innovative self-governance practices across Central America
02
Mobilize knowledge by sharing lessons learned among partner organizations
03
Influence policy by supporting local mechanisms that increase governance resilience
Securing Tenure Rights to Territory & Seascapes
Documenting and supporting efforts to secure territorial and maritime rights, emphasizing resource governance strategies that reflect community knowledge and traditions.
Focus Areas:
Legal recognition struggles, protection from resource extraction, state interventions, and traditional land/water preservation efforts
04
Identify wise practices in terrestrial and marine resource governance
05
Build institutional capacity through the Indigenous Data Repository
06
Support policy initiatives enhancing recognition and cooperation
Legal Frameworks & Emancipatory Practices
Analyzing how domestic and international legal frameworks—especially Inter-American Human Rights System rulings—can advance self-determination rights.
Central Questions:
What legal strategies have proven successful? How do Indigenous organizations utilize existing legislation? What are the concrete effects of these legal provisions?
07
Investigate how organizations deploy legal provisions to advance interests
08
Create accessible knowledge through innovative research tools
09
Train Indigenous and Afro-descendant youth in rights implementation