• RRI plans to partner with Canadian institutions and Indigenous leaders to promote community-led development and climate solutions around the world.  

• RRI’s global finance mechanism for locally-led climate and conservation solutions can help Canada accelerate implementation of its international climate commitments.

MONTRÉAL, July 9, 2026 —  The Rights and Resources Initiative (RRI), the world’s largest coalition working to secure the land, forest, and resource rights of Indigenous Peoples, Afro-descendant Peoples and local communities, announces plans to expand its presence and engagement with Canadian institutions and Indigenous partners. 

This expansion will enable Canadian institutions to strengthen their collaborations with RRI’s global coalition active in over 40 countries. Building on its longstanding relationships with Canadian institutional, academic, and philanthropic partners, RRI is consolidating its presence by establishing a Canadian entity for its rightsholder-led funding mechanism, CLARIFI (Community Land Rights and Conservation Finance Initiative). 

Launched in 2022 in partnership with Campaign for Nature, RRI’s CLARIFI helps make global climate and conservation financing from large public and private funding more accessible to the Indigenous, Afro-descendant, and local communities who steward some of the world’s most critical and biodiverse ecosystems in Asia, Latin America and Africa. 

“RRI has long valued its partnerships with Canada’s rich institutional and academic network. Our experience in convening major climate actors, promoting North-South collaboration, monitoring global progress on collective land and forest rights, and catalyzing innovations in climate finance positions us as a key ally to Canada on its global leadership in climate and biodiversity finance as well as sustainable development.” — Dr. Solange Bandiaky-Badji, President and Coordinator of RRI 

For over 20 years, RRI has helped advance legal, policy and market reforms in low- and middle-income countries for communities’ rights to land and natural resources.  The collective achievements of its 200+ member organizations have greatly influenced the international development ecosystem, leading to recognition of collective rights as a critical aspect of effective climate action and conservation. 

To mark this milestone, RRI will bring together Canadian institutions, philanthropic networks, Indigenous leaders, academics, and international organizations in Montréal for a public event on July 9, organized in collaboration with its longtime partner, Montréal International. This gathering will highlight opportunities for collaboration and shared learning among communities, institutions, and partners engaged in climate and conservation issues. 

“RRI’s presence in Canada and collaboration with Montréal International creates a unique opportunity to position its rightsholder-led funding mechanism as a trusted partner for Canadian institutions, to channel climate finance to Indigenous Peoples, local communities, and Afro-descendant Peoples, advancing long-term stewardship of critical ecosystems in Asia, Latin America, and Africa. It will also provide an enabling environment for these communities to foster shared learning with Canada’s First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities, who are confronting comparable challenges in this region.” — Deborah Sanchez, Honduran Moskitia leader and Director of RRI’s CLARIFI  

“Montréal is proud to welcome this expansion project from the Rights and Resources Initiative. Our city is committed to building respectful and collaborative relationships with First Nations, Inuit, Métis and urban Indigenous communities that support reconciliation. RRI’s activities in Montréal will help advance this commitment and also strengthen the city’s international profile as a global destination where dialogue, partnerships, and a commitment to rights and sustainable development take on their full meaning.” — Soraya Martinez Ferrada, Mayor of Montréal and President of the Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal 

RRI’s expansion is part of a broader initiative to strengthen relationships with Canadian Indigenous organizations, global development partners, and public institutions. 

“First Nations in Canada and rightsholders in other regions confront different realities, but many of their underlying struggles are connected, including protection of their lands and waters, and the ability to lead decisions that affect their communities. RRI’s work in Canada creates an important opportunity to strengthen those connections and build partnerships grounded in Indigenous leadership.” — Jason Rasevych, Member of the Ginoogaming First Nation in Ontario and RRI’s Board of Directors 

Montréal International has played a key role in establishing RRI in the metropolitan area. 

“Montréal is a place where international organizations, public institutions, civil society, and research leaders come together to address global challenges. We are pleased to support RRI as it chooses our city to strengthen its presence in Canada. Their work reflects the kind of global collaboration, indigenous leadership, and rights-based approach that is essential to protecting the planet and advancing its sustainable development.”  — Stéphane Paquet, President and CEO, Montréal International 

As it begins this new chapter in Canada, RRI invites Canadian institutions, funders, and partners to join its global coalition to support communities on the front lines of climate and environmental challenges. 

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About the Rights and Resources Initiative and its CLARIFI initiative 

The Rights and Resources Initiative (RRI) is a global coalition of over 200 organizations advancing the land, forest, and resource rights of Indigenous Peoples, Afro-descendant Peoples, and local communities. RRI works with rightsholders, civil society organizations, governments, donors, and multilateral institutions to advance rights-based approaches for conservation, climate action, and sustainable development. Learn more.  

RRI’s Community Land Rights and Conservation Finance Initiative (CLARIFI) is a global, rightsholder-led funding mechanism created with Campaign for Nature. It provides fiscal sponsorship and other grantmaking support to projects led by Indigenous Peoples, local communities, and Afro-descendant Peoples to advance their formal recognition, livelihoods, gender justice, and sustainable management of their territories.   

Media Contact: Madiha Waris / [email protected]