Announced at the Path2Scale event during Climate Week NYC 2025 the newly released State of Funding for Tenure Rights report delivers an urgent message: while international funding for Indigenous Peoples, Local Communities, and Afro-descendant Peoples (IPs, LCs, and ADPs) has grown since the landmark COP26 Forest Tenure Pledge, it still represents less than one percent of total climate aid.

The report shows encouraging progress. Since COP26, annual funding has increased by 46%, averaging $728 million per year, with major donors like Germany and the World Bank doubling their commitments. Importantly, these resources are reaching a broader range of countries, with strong growth in Africa and Asia.

Yet, despite these gains, momentum is slowing. The world is facing a $2.9 billion shortfall to meet the $10 billion Path2Scale target by 2030. The upcoming closure of USAID’s tenure programs deepens the gap by nearly $400 million—leaving communities and ecosystems vulnerable at a time when climate action demands acceleration.

As a proud member of the Path2Scale network, Cadasta echoes the report’s call: donors must not only sustain but expand their commitments. This means scaling up financial support, renewing pledges at COP30, and, most critically, shifting to direct financing for tenure rights. Communities on the frontlines of climate change are the best stewards of land, forests, and ecosystems. Equipping them with the tools to secure land rights and direct resources is one of the most effective climate strategies available.

At Cadasta, we have seen this firsthand through our Strengthening Land and Forest Rights program, which has already supported Indigenous and local communities to document and secure rights to more than 4.4 million hectares of land. Backed by UK International Development, this work demonstrates the transformational impact of investing directly in community-led tenure rights initiatives—strengthening resilience, protecting biodiversity, and unlocking sustainable development.

As COP30 approaches, we join the Rights and Resources Initiative, Rainforest Foundation Norway, and fellow Path2Scale members in calling for renewed commitments to close the funding gap and ensure communities have the resources they need to safeguard our planet.

Explore the full State of Funding for Tenure Rights report here: [Report Link]