In the Peruvian Amazon, Indigenous communities face unique challenges in asserting their territorial rights despite established rights to self-determination (UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, 2007) and the vital knowledge they possess for managing their lands.

Through a mixed-methods approach, the project involves Indigenous communities as equal partners in the research process, ensuring that Indigenous knowledge is recognized and valued. This collaborative approach includes interviews, policy analysis, and participatory methods, with a focus on systems thinking to identify leverage points for sustainable governance. The project also examines the challenges and opportunities for scaling these governance models to other tropical forest regions, creating adaptable frameworks for just and sustainable governance practices. 

Ultimately, the project aims to provide valuable insights and policy recommendations for enhancing Indigenous governance, promoting environmental justice, and safeguarding biodiversity. It hopes to influence global policy by demonstrating the effectiveness of Indigenous-led governance in achieving social and environmental goals. By fostering inclusive research methods and creating scalable governance models, the project looks to support the long-term sustainability of Indigenous territories and the ecosystems they protect.