Want to go to the UN’s biggest gathering of Indigenous peoples? Here’s how.
The United Nations has opened a new round of funding to help indigenous people participate in two major meetings in New York and Geneva next year.
The United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, or UNPFII, is held annually in New York and will take place from April 20 to May 1, 2026. Representatives of indigenous nations and peoples from around the world come together to discuss issues ranging from language loss to climate change. This is a unique opportunity for indigenous peoples’ advocates to draw global attention to the challenges their communities face, strengthen their relationships with other indigenous peoples, and influence global policies. This year’s theme focuses on the health of indigenous peoples, particularly in the context of conflict, and participants are also expected to discuss a report on the rights of indigenous peoples in the midst of a climate crisis.
The Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, or EMRIP, is holding another meeting scheduled for July 13-17 next summer in Geneva. The expert mechanism is made up of seven experts appointed by the UN Human Rights Council, and its annual meeting provides indigenous rights defenders with another opportunity to raise concerns about rights violations.
The United Nations Voluntary Fund for Indigenous Peoples has a limited grant to pay for transportation, accommodation and registration fees for participants in any of these gatherings. The Voluntary Fund wants to hear from candidates who have a proven track record of advocating for the interests of their communities and who are eager to share their perspectives internationally.
“The wisdom and advocacy of your community deserves to be heard where decisions affecting Indigenous people are made,” says the Voluntary Fund’s call for applications. “This fund exists specifically to ensure that financial barriers do not silence Indigenous voices in international spaces. »
What you need to know about the application process
- You can apply online
- You will need a resume, a copy of your passport, and a letter of recommendation from a leader in your community or organization.
- Deadline is October 31
- Applicants with financial need will be given priority, as well as those who can demonstrate that they represent their community and have previous work on Indigenous rights issues.
- People with disabilities and LGBTQ+ people are particularly encouraged to apply
- For more information on the criteria and process, see the call for applications
- Further questions can be directed to Morse Caoagas Flores, Secretary of the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Indigenous Peoples, at morse.flores@un.org.
Curious to know what’s happening at UNPFII?
Grist and other indigenous media outlets cover the United Nations Permanent Forum in New York every year, and our archives can help you know what to expect:
The United Nations and several non-governmental organizations also offer training sessions for people wishing to learn how to participate effectively in the forum. Last year, Project Access Indigenous Partnership organized training sessions for UNPFII and EMRIP in partnership with the UN. The organization also offers a free, self-directed online course on Indigenous advocacy at the United Nations.
In his recent book, Nothing more of this earthAquinnah Wampanoag writer and former Grist member Joseph Lee wrote about what it was like to attend the permanent forum, where he observed both the potential depth and limitations of global Indigenous advocacy.
“The forum itself, which has existed for more than 20 years, was born after decades of international advocacy for indigenous peoples to play a greater role on the international stage,” he wrote. “There is nowhere else in the world where so many Indigenous people from around the world can come together to share stories, ideas and community. »
