Project to strengthen the collective rights of land and territories of the Indigenous Peoples of Panama

Project Overview

The project aims to consolidate and protect the collective rights (land, forest and water) of Panama’s Indigenous Peoples. Specifically, the project will:

1. Capitalise on existing opportunities with the Government of Panama to accelerate processes of land titling, registry, and conflict resolution, and strengthen governance of indigenous territories.
2. Develop institutional capacity to support the full exercise and protection of indigenous territorial rights.

The project- now completed – achieved important impacts and results in Panama. For instance, COONAPIP made advancements in the titling of 231,328 hectares, the project helped resolved 18 tenure conflicts affecting 223,260 hectares in four territories and 252 women, men and young people were trained in indigenous rights and law.

Likewise, through the project a legal clinic that supports land titling was created and discussions were initiated to establish a diploma at the University of Panama’s Faculty of Law to broaden understanding of Indigenous Peoples’ legal rights under national and international law.

The project also strengthened COONAPIP’s administrative and technical skills and capacity to title indigenous lands. It helped build momentum for faster and more efficient titling by raising awareness of Indigenous Peoples’ rights among government authorities, building relationships among relevant institutions and increasing the confidence of Indigenous Peoples in their power to effect change. It positioned Indigenous Peoples to protect land, forest and water, and improve livelihoods, thereby contributing to global climate change and development goals. And finally, it demonstrated new methods that indigenous communities can use to resolve conflicts among themselves and with government, investors, immigrants, and settlers.