The United Nations has launched a new round of funding to help Indigenous peoples attend major international convenings in New York and Geneva next year. Applications are open until October 31 for grants covering travel, lodging, and fees. The initiative aims to amplify Indigenous voices on global issues like health, rights, and climate change.
The United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) will convene annually in New York from April 20 to May 1, 2026. This gathering brings representatives from Indigenous nations worldwide to address challenges including language loss and climate change. This year's theme focuses on the health of Indigenous peoples amid conflict, with discussions planned on a report about Indigenous rights during the climate crisis.
Another key event is the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (EMRIP), set for July 13 to 17, 2026, in Geneva. Composed of seven experts appointed by the U.N. Human Rights Council, EMRIP's annual meeting allows advocates to highlight rights violations.
The U.N. Voluntary Fund for Indigenous Peoples offers limited grants to cover transportation, accommodation, and registration for either event. Priority goes to applicants demonstrating financial need, community representation, and a history of Indigenous rights work. People with disabilities and LGBTQ+ individuals are particularly encouraged to apply.
To apply, candidates must submit an online form with a resume, passport copy, and a letter of recommendation from a community or organizational leader. The deadline is October 31. For details, review the call for applications or contact Morse Caoagas Flores, secretary of the fund, at morse.flores@un.org.
“Your community’s wisdom and advocacy deserve to be heard where decisions affecting Indigenous peoples are made,” states the fund's application call. “This fund exists specifically to ensure financial barriers don’t silence Indigenous voices in international spaces.”
UNPFII, active for over 20 years, provides a rare space for global Indigenous collaboration, as noted by Aquinnah Wampanoag writer Joseph Lee in his book Nothing More of This Land. Training sessions from the U.N. and groups like Project Access Indigenous Partnership prepare participants for effective engagement.