International organizations: RRI expands in Montréal

This expansion will enable Canadian institutions to strengthen their collaborations with RRI’s global coalition active in over 40 countries. Building on its longstanding relationships with Canadian institutional, academic, and philanthropic partners, RRI is consolidating its presence by establishing a Canadian entity for its rightsholder-led funding mechanism, CLARIFI (Community Land Rights and Conservation Finance Initiative).

Launched in 2022 in partnership with Campaign for Nature, RRI’s CLARIFI helps make global climate and conservation financing from large public and private funding more accessible to the Indigenous, Afro-descendant, and local communities who steward some of the world’s most critical and biodiverse ecosystems in Asia, Latin America and Africa.

“RRI has long valued its partnerships with Canada’s rich institutional and academic network. Our experience in convening major climate actors, promoting North-South collaboration, monitoring global progress on collective land and forest rights, and catalyzing innovations in climate finance positions us as a key ally to Canada on its global leadership in climate and biodiversity finance as well as sustainable development.”

— Dr. Solange Bandiaky-Badji, President and Coordinator of RRI

For over 20 years, RRI has helped advance legal, policy and market reforms in low- and middle-income countries for communities’ rights to land and natural resources. The collective achievements of its 200+ member organizations have greatly influenced the international development ecosystem, leading to recognition of collective rights as a critical aspect of effective climate action and conservation.

To mark this milestone, RRI gathered Canadian institutions, philanthropic networks, Indigenous leaders, academics, and international organizations in Montréal for a public event on July 9, organized in collaboration with its longtime partner, Montréal International. This gathering will highlight opportunities for collaboration and shared learning among communities, institutions, and partners engaged in climate and conservation issues.

RRI’s expansion is part of a broader initiative to strengthen relationships with Canadian Indigenous organizations, global development partners, and public institutions.

“First Nations in Canada and rightsholders in other regions confront different realities, but many of their underlying struggles are connected, including protection of their lands and waters, and the ability to lead decisions that affect their communities. RRI’s work in Canada creates an important opportunity to strengthen those connections and build partnerships grounded in Indigenous leadership.”

— Jason Rasevych, Member of the Ginoogaming First Nation in Ontario and RRI’s Board of Directors

“Montréal is proud to welcome this expansion project from the Rights + Resources Initiative (RRI). Our city is committed to building respectful and collaborative relationships with First Nations, Inuit, Métis and urban Indigenous communities that support reconciliation. RRI’s activities in Montréal will help advance this commitment, and also strengthen the city’s international profile as a global destination where dialogue, partnerships, and a commitment to rights and sustainable development take on their full meaning.”

— Soraya Martinez Ferrada, Mayor of Montréal and President of the Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal

Montréal International has played a key role in establishing RRI in the metropolitan area.

“Montréal is a place where international organizations, public institutions, civil society, and research leaders come together to address global challenges. We are pleased to support RRI as it chooses our city to strengthen its presence in Canada. Their work reflects the kind of global collaboration, indigenous leadership, and rights-based approach that is essential to protecting the planet and advancing its sustainable development.”

— Stéphane Paquet, President and CEO, Montréal International