Samdhana Institute
Taken from the Sanskrit word for healing, unity and peace, Samdhana was formed in 2003 by a group environmentalists, human rights activists and social development practitioners who were the first generation of Samdhana Fellows, who catalysed networks of shared knowledge and traditional wisdom. Today we continue this work of giving back, to support and help capacitate indigenous peoples and local communities, women, young people, and persons with different abilities.
Our Vision
A region where natural, cultural and spiritual diversity are valued, where communities have control over their territories and well-being.
Our Mission
For communities to have land rights for their territories and full recourse to the rule of law; through a combination of independent leadership and organisational support, they will be responsible for their own development and well-being.
OUR VALUES
Respect for individual rights and community perspectives, with full access to the rule of law.
Good governance, built around sustainable resource management and rooted in mutual respect.
Fostering a culture of equality and celebrating the diverse tapestry of our cultural differences.
Open to change, responsive, and committed to providing accurate, timely reports of the work we do.
WHAT WE DO
Climate Change
Focusing on landscapes earmarked for low emissions development, we help secure land rights for indigenous communities so they can take the lead. This involves outreach activities to communicate and clarify rights holders’ understanding of climate change and their roles as guardians of the landscape. Through carbon sequestration initiatives, rights mapping, green development planning, and community REDD+ projects, Samdhana is working alongside IPLCs to mitigate the impacts of climate change.
Natural Resource Governance
Indigenous rights and interests should be integral to policy and resource management. That’s why Samdhana is helping local communities to document, adapt, and implement culture-based systems into modern arrangements; through a combination of land use planning, resource inventory, and leadership development, we help local institutions to integrate their own landscape-seascape management schemes into wider monitoring networks.
Conflict Resolution
In support of cultural security and sustainable development for Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs) across Southeast Asia, Samdhana supports resource conflict resolution and mediation, especially on land tenure and resource governance. Through a combination of understanding, analysis, policy, and management, we advocate for community-based property rights, giving priority to threatened communities and ecosystems.
Social Equality
Samdhana celebrates and elevates the role of women in indigenous communities, highlighting the vital contributions they make to sustainable livelihoods, culture, and community education. We support local women in taking on leadership roles while also expanding social inclusion to involve differently abled people, youth groups, and the elderly. When faced by a multitude of challenges, diversity is our greatest strength.
Leadership Development
Through a combination of peer learning, systems thinking, reflection, and mentoring approaches, Samdhana supports communities’ right to self-determination. We provide governance and leadership programmes that help community leaders, NGOs, and other civil society leaders to reflect upon their experiences and strengthen their skills while also elevating the roles and responsibilities of local leaders.
POLICIES
Our Board Members
Our Staff
