0
+
Institute for Indigenous Affairs and Development
Indigenous-Led Action for Rights, Knowledge and Sustainable Futures
Indigenous-Led Pathways to Sustainable Development
Institute for Indigenous Affairs and Development (IIAD) is an Indigenous-led, non-profit organization established in 2021 to promote the rights, knowledge systems, self-determination, and sustainable development of Indigenous Peoples and local communities in Nepal. Our work focuses on advancing Indigenous Peoples’ rights, customary governance, biodiversity conservation, climate justice, Indigenous knowledge documentation, community-led research, and advocacy for equitable environmental governance. We work closely with Indigenous communities, civil society organizations, government institutions, and international partners to strengthen recognition of Indigenous stewardship of lands, territories, and natural resources.
Indigenous Knowledge Research and Documentation
Community as Curriculum
Promoting Indigenous Food and Economy: Building Economic Resilience and Sustainable Development
Indigenous Peoples Safeguards Compliance
Institutional Sustainability and Partnerships
Indigenous Knowledge Centre
Organizational Systems and Governance
Strategic Ongoing Actions
Our key actions and activities focus on advancing the rights and well-being of Indigenous communities through a range of impactful initiatives. We support the development and implementation of Indigenous Peoples Safeguards Compliance and deliver comprehensive Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) curriculum and processes. Our work includes rigorous research and policy analysis on Indigenous issues, with a strong emphasis on youth-led Indigenous research. We drive sustainable development programs tailored for Indigenous communities and implement Community-Based Monitoring and Information Systems (CBMIS) to enhance local data ownership and decision-making. Through our Indigenous Lab, we provide safe and creative spaces for communities to envision and shape their futures. Additionally, we offer accessible online training courses and certifications to build capacity and empower Indigenous leaders and advocates.
Chepang Indigenous Knowledge Centre
An Indigenous Chepang Knowledge Centre is a community-driven hub established to protect, promote, and revitalize Indigenous knowledge systems, languages, and cultural heritage.
Indigenous Enterprises and Green Skills
We identify and support local villagers to establish their enterprises, creating subsistence marketplaces through social entrepreneurship and startups, leading communities towards sustainability.
Indigenous Knowledge Documentation
Documenting, revitalizing, and promoting Indigenous Knowledge as a living system that is deeply rooted in the cultures, languages, customary governance, and relationships of Indigenous Peoples with their lands and territories.
Our Campaign and Initiatives
The Institute for Indigenous Affairs and Development (IIAD) champions a sustainable, impact-driven approach to uplift Nepal’s Indigenous communities.
Indigenous Knowledge Documentation
IIAD works alongside Indigenous communities to document, revitalize, and strengthen Indigenous knowledge systems, including shamanic traditions, ceremonies, rituals, oral histories, customary laws, languages, and cultural practices that have been passed down through generations. We believe that Indigenous knowledge belongs to Indigenous Peoples and that communities should lead how their knowledge is documented, protected, and shared. Through community-led research, intergenerational learning, storytelling, digital documentation, and cultural mapping, IIAD supports elders, knowledge holders, women, youth, and traditional leaders in safeguarding their living heritage while respecting cultural protocols, Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC), and Indigenous intellectual property rights. By strengthening cultural identity and transmitting ancestral knowledge to future generations, we contribute to Indigenous self-determination, biocultural diversity, and community resilience in the face of social, environmental, and climate change.
Tribal Campings
The Tribal Camp in the Chepang Village offers an immersive learning experience where students, researchers, development practitioners, and visitors engage directly with the Chepang Indigenous community to understand their history, culture, livelihoods, and Indigenous knowledge systems. Through guided village stays, participants learn about traditional farming practices, forest-based livelihoods, ethnobotanical knowledge, customary governance, oral histories, food systems, and the cultural significance of sacred landscapes. The camp emphasizes respectful cultural exchange, experiential learning, and community-led knowledge sharing, ensuring that the Chepang people are recognized as knowledge holders rather than research subjects. By promoting ethical engagement and responsible tourism, the Tribal Camp strengthens cultural preservation, supports local livelihoods, and fosters deeper appreciation of Indigenous worldviews and sustainable living practices.
We Take Action. To Make Better Changes
Through community development, education, and research, IIAD supports cultural preservation and self-determination.
0
+
Sponsored children
0
+
Sustainable enterprises supported
Collaborated Partner
We are proud to work hand-in-hand with local and international partners who share our mission of empowering Indigenous communities. Together, we foster inclusive development, preserve cultural heritage, and support grassroots change across Nepal.
Thank you to our incredible collaborators who help bring our vision to life
Become Our Volunteer
Join our mission to empower Indigenous communities. Whether it’s participating in community outreach, assisting in workshops, or helping with administrative tasks, your contribution is invaluable.