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...
Main Authors: | , |
---|---|
Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
Published: |
Wiley
2023-05-01
|
Series: | Conservation Science and Practice |
Subjects: | |
Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1111/csp2.12942 |
_version_ | 1797818527983337472 |
---|---|
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. |
first_indexed | 2024-03-13T09:09:14Z |
format | Article |
id | doaj.art-c6e96ea796474a98bb1bb4af3e17f870 |
institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
issn | 2578-4854 |
language | English |
last_indexed | 2024-03-13T09:09:14Z |
publishDate | 2023-05-01 |
publisher | Wiley |
record_format | Article |
series | Conservation Science and Practice |
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 |