Right Energy Partnership with Indigenous Peoples - REP

26/05/2026

Solar irrigation is not only about access to energy. It is also about food security, climate resilience, and the leadership of women who are shaping solutions in their own communities.

This IPREP Episode 3 features the Tharu Women Upliftment Centre, an Indigenous women-led organization from Bardiya, Nepal, advancing renewable energy, improved cooking solutions, and climate-resilient agriculture.

Join us online on the 29th May from 5PM Nepal | 7:15PM Manila | 2:15PM EAT | 7:15AM New York by registering through https://bit.ly/49HhLxG

26/05/2026

For many communities, renewable energy is discussed as a technology issue. But for Indigenous women, it is also about rights, livelihoods, leadership, and self-determined development.

In Episode 3 of the Indigenous Peoples Renewable Energy Pathfinders Webinar Series, we spotlight Tharu Women Upliftment Centre from Bardiya, Nepal, whose work shows how Indigenous women are moving from participation to power in the energy transition.

Join us online on the 29th May from 5PM Nepal | 7:15PM Manila | 2:15PM EAT | 7:15AM New York by registering through https://bit.ly/49HhLxG

25/05/2026

What does it take to build and sustain community-owned renewable energy systems?

In IPREP Episode 2, Indigenous practitioners from Sintang, West Kalimantan shared powerful lessons from nearly three decades of Indigenous-led micro-hydro development.

The conversation highlighted that sustainable energy systems are not built through technology alone. They require community governance, collective responsibility, long-term maintenance, and deep care for land and water systems.

From feasibility studies and technical installation to committee formation and long-term management, the experience of the Dayak Saberuang communities demonstrated how Indigenous-led renewable energy can strengthen both community resilience and territorial stewardship.

As one speaker reflected: “The responsibility is not only to build.”

As we continue this growing exchange through the Indigenous Peoples Renewable Energy Pathfinders (IPREP), we now look ahead to Episode 3.

The next episode features Tharu Women Upliftment Centre (TWUC) from Nepal, highlighting how Indigenous women are advancing just energy transitions through solar irrigation, improved cook-stoves, climate-resilient agriculture, and local technical leadership.

From Indonesia to Nepal, the conversation on Indigenous led solutions continues on the 29 May 2026 from 5PM Nepal | 7:15PM Manila | 2:15PM EAT | 7:15AM New York

Register through https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/2eKqbpdOQgugThuAdeEUPA

22/05/2026

Tharu Indigenous women in Bardiya, Nepal are not only cultivating crops, they are also helping power a more just and sustainable future. In Episode 3 of the Indigenous Peoples Renewable Energy Pathfinders Webinar Series, meet the Tharu Women Upliftment Centre (TWUC) and learn how women-led solar irrigation, improved cookstoves, and agroecological practice are creating change from the ground up.

Be part of the discussion on 29 May 2026 and hear directly from TWUC about Indigenous women’s leadership in renewable energy transitions.

Register through https://bit.ly/49HhLxG for the session that will be held from 5PM Nepal time, 7:15PM Manila, 2:15PM EAT, and 7:15AM New York. You can learn more through rightenergypartnership.org/

22/05/2026

Terence Hay-Edie of the UNDP-GEF Small Grants Programme highlighted a significant development for Indigenous Peoples and local communities within global climate financing discussions. Speaking during the UNPFII side event, he noted that the GEF-9 replenishment cycle now includes a decision for a 20% earmarking of funding for Indigenous Peoples and local communities.

The discussion reflected growing recognition that Indigenous Peoples are not only frontline communities affected by climate change, but also key actors in advancing biodiversity protection, renewable energy access, and sustainable territorial governance. Increased direct support and financing mechanisms remain critical to strengthening Indigenous-led climate and energy initiatives worldwide.

The intervention also reinforced broader calls raised throughout the session for climate and development finance systems to become more accessible, equitable, and responsive to Indigenous Peoples’ priorities, rights, and self-determined development pathways.

For REP, this reflects the importance of sustained advocacy and partnership-building to ensure Indigenous communities are meaningfully included not only in climate discussions, but also in the financial mechanisms shaping the global energy transition.

22/05/2026

Episode 3 of the Indigenous Peoples Renewable Energy Pathfinders Webinar Series features the Tharu Women Upliftment Centre (TWUC), an Indigenous women-led organization from Bardiya, Nepal advancing solar irrigation, improved cookstoves, and climate-resilient farming in their communities.

From this conversation you will hear how Tharu women are strengthening food security, building technical leadership, and demonstrating what a just energy transition can look like in practice.

Join us on the 29th May 2026 from 5PM Nepal | 7:15PM Manila | 2:15PM EAT | 7:15 New York through the following registration link: https://bit.ly/49HhLxG

Nepali-English interpretation will be available.
Learn more; https://rightenergypartnership.org/iprep-episode-3-highlighting-indigenous-womens-leadership-in-the-energy-transition/

19/05/2026

Terence Hay-Edie of the UNDP Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme reflected on how collaboration with the Right Energy Partnership with Indigenous Peoples (REP) helped expand existing biodiversity-focused work toward Indigenous Peoples’ access to renewable energy under the GEF climate change focal area.

Speaking during the UNPFII side event on Indigenous Peoples’ access to climate and development finance, he emphasized the importance of partnerships that move beyond traditional conservation approaches to also address energy access, climate resilience, and community wellbeing. His remarks highlighted how Indigenous-led renewable energy initiatives are increasingly being recognized as essential components of sustainable development and climate action.

The discussion also underscored a broader challenge raised throughout the session: while Indigenous communities continue to lead innovative and community-centered solutions, access to financing and long-term support remains limited. Expanding partnerships and flexible financing mechanisms remains critical to ensuring these initiatives can grow sustainably and on their own terms.

For REP, this reflects the importance of building equitable collaborations that strengthen Indigenous leadership in renewable energy while ensuring that climate and development financing mechanisms become more accessible, inclusive, and responsive to Indigenous Peoples’ priorities and rights.

Learn more; rightenergypartnership.org

18/05/2026

Indigenous Peoples are sometimes only brought into discussions when the project has already been designed or is already in implementation. That makes it very difficult to stop or change a project. We need to be included at every level."

Melina Tuiravakai of the Indigenous Peoples Advisory Group–Pacific underscored the importance of engaging Indigenous Peoples from the earliest stages of planning through implementation, monitoring, and governance. She emphasized that participation must go beyond consultation after decisions have already been made.

REP’s FPIC Renewable Energy Toolkit further highlights that Free, Prior and Informed Consent is not a one-time consultation or checkbox exercise, but an ongoing process grounded in transparency, participation, respect for Indigenous governance systems, and communities’ right to influence decisions affecting their lands, resources, and futures.

Download your copy, https://bit.ly/49CaFum

17/05/2026

Geo Corneby of Green Empowerment emphasized that Indigenous-led renewable energy initiatives should not be viewed only through the lens of infrastructure costs. While renewable energy systems are often labeled as “expensive,” he noted that such assessments frequently overlook the long-term value these projects create within Indigenous communities.

Speaking during the UNPFII side event on Indigenous Peoples’ access to climate and development finance, Corneby highlighted the broader co-benefits that emerge when communities lead and shape their own energy futures. These include reliable energy access that supports livelihoods, strengthens local education, improves healthcare access, and contributes to food security over generations.

The discussion reflected a broader message repeatedly raised throughout the session: renewable energy transitions cannot be measured solely by financial efficiency or speed of implementation. Indigenous-led initiatives continue to demonstrate that community-centered approaches can produce more sustainable, equitable, and culturally grounded outcomes.

REP continues to advocate for renewable energy systems that recognize Indigenous Peoples not merely as beneficiaries of development, but as leaders, knowledge holders, and decision-makers shaping the future of sustainable energy.

Learn more; rightenergypartnership.org

15/05/2026

“If we only look at Indigenous Peoples through the lens of safeguards, we miss the point…”

During the Asian Development Bank Annual Meeting side event on advancing Indigenous Peoples’ leadership in the energy transition, Bruce Dunn emphasized that Indigenous Peoples should not only be viewed through risk management and compliance frameworks, but as key partners in shaping energy, climate, and critical minerals pathways.

The discussion highlighted the need for development institutions and financing mechanisms to move beyond protection-focused approaches and toward meaningful partnerships grounded in self-determination, rights, and shared opportunities. As the global demand for critical minerals and renewable energy infrastructure grows, participants stressed that Indigenous Peoples must be recognized not merely as stakeholders, but as rights-holders and leaders in determining the future of development on their lands.

Learn more; rightenergypartnership.org/from-policy-to-practice-advancing-indigenous-peoples-leadership-in-the-energy-transition/

14/05/2026