Redefining rights‐based conservation through philanthropy: The Ford Foundation in Mesoamerica

Abstract The role of the philanthropic sector in climate change mitigation and biodiversity conservation is gaining renewed attention as new pledges to dramatically increase funding for nature‐based climate solutions mount. Despite their significant role in the conservation space, philanthropies are...

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Main Authors: Laura Aileen Sauls, Victor López Illescas
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2023-05-01
Series:Conservation Science and Practice
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1111/csp2.12942
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author Laura Aileen Sauls
Victor López Illescas
author_facet Laura Aileen Sauls
Victor López Illescas
author_sort Laura Aileen Sauls
collection DOAJ
description Abstract The role of the philanthropic sector in climate change mitigation and biodiversity conservation is gaining renewed attention as new pledges to dramatically increase funding for nature‐based climate solutions mount. Despite their significant role in the conservation space, philanthropies are relatively understudied as donors; in particular, the lack of accountability and transparency in philanthropy have made them a “black box”, including in conservation‐related efforts. Based on extensive document and database review alongside interviews with philanthropic grant‐makers and recipients, this article seeks to analyze the conservation‐related efforts of the Ford Foundation—a long‐standing philanthropic actor in international sustainable development. Specifically, we examine how Ford Foundation practices in Mexico and Central America have shifted since 2000 to center Indigenous Peoples and local communities, both in terms of thematic focus and strategic approach. In explaining how Ford Foundation grant‐makers themselves understand the process of change, and their lessons from this process, this article highlights the ongoing challenges to and possible methods for centering inclusive, territorial approaches to produce more effective, lasting conservation outcomes.
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spelling doaj.art-c6e96ea796474a98bb1bb4af3e17f8702023-05-27T14:26:29ZengWileyConservation Science and Practice2578-48542023-05-0155n/an/a10.1111/csp2.12942Redefining rights‐based conservation through philanthropy: The Ford Foundation in MesoamericaLaura Aileen Sauls0Victor López Illescas1Department of Geography University of Sheffield Sheffield UKOffice for Mexico and Central America Ford Foundation MexicoAbstract The role of the philanthropic sector in climate change mitigation and biodiversity conservation is gaining renewed attention as new pledges to dramatically increase funding for nature‐based climate solutions mount. Despite their significant role in the conservation space, philanthropies are relatively understudied as donors; in particular, the lack of accountability and transparency in philanthropy have made them a “black box”, including in conservation‐related efforts. Based on extensive document and database review alongside interviews with philanthropic grant‐makers and recipients, this article seeks to analyze the conservation‐related efforts of the Ford Foundation—a long‐standing philanthropic actor in international sustainable development. Specifically, we examine how Ford Foundation practices in Mexico and Central America have shifted since 2000 to center Indigenous Peoples and local communities, both in terms of thematic focus and strategic approach. In explaining how Ford Foundation grant‐makers themselves understand the process of change, and their lessons from this process, this article highlights the ongoing challenges to and possible methods for centering inclusive, territorial approaches to produce more effective, lasting conservation outcomes.https://doi.org/10.1111/csp2.12942Central Americaindigenous peoples and local communitiesland rightsMexiconature‐based solutionsphilanthropy
spellingShingle Laura Aileen Sauls
Victor López Illescas
Redefining rights‐based conservation through philanthropy: The Ford Foundation in Mesoamerica
Conservation Science and Practice
Central America
indigenous peoples and local communities
land rights
Mexico
nature‐based solutions
philanthropy
title Redefining rights‐based conservation through philanthropy: The Ford Foundation in Mesoamerica
title_full Redefining rights‐based conservation through philanthropy: The Ford Foundation in Mesoamerica
title_fullStr Redefining rights‐based conservation through philanthropy: The Ford Foundation in Mesoamerica
title_full_unstemmed Redefining rights‐based conservation through philanthropy: The Ford Foundation in Mesoamerica
title_short Redefining rights‐based conservation through philanthropy: The Ford Foundation in Mesoamerica
title_sort redefining rights based conservation through philanthropy the ford foundation in mesoamerica
topic Central America
indigenous peoples and local communities
land rights
Mexico
nature‐based solutions
philanthropy
url https://doi.org/10.1111/csp2.12942
work_keys_str_mv AT lauraaileensauls redefiningrightsbasedconservationthroughphilanthropythefordfoundationinmesoamerica
AT victorlopezillescas redefiningrightsbasedconservationthroughphilanthropythefordfoundationinmesoamerica