Project
Solidarity with African Environmental and Land Defenders
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Amount Funded
200,061 EUROProject Duration
01 May 2021 - 30 Jun 2023 -
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Lead organisation
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Natural Justice: Lawyers for Communities and the Environment, the lead organisation is a not-for-profit organisation registered in South Africa and Kenya with hubs in Cape Town, Nairobi and Dakar.
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Organisation
Natural Justice: Lawyers for Communities and the Environment, the lead organisation is a not-for-profit organisation registered in South Africa and Kenya with hubs in Cape Town, Nairobi and Dakar.
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Project
Solidarity with African Environmental and Land Defenders aims to support indigenous peoples and local communities and their grassroots organisations in up to seven countries in Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, DRC, Nigeria, Senegal, Uganda and Madagascar)in their efforts to resist and be protected against such threats as they defend their collective lands and territories of life. The actions and forms of support are both defensive and preventative in nature and respond directly to their self-determined needs and priorities, including, inter alia, awareness campaigns, trainings, digital and physical security measures, legal support, and communications platforms for regional and global advocacy.
The project supports indigenous peoples and local communities to remain on their customary lands and territories and continue their self-determined ways of life and livelihoods. In addition, the project supports indigenous peoples and communities, especially those who are routinely marginalised and discriminated against and face multiple intersectional inequalities, to advocate for legal and political recognition for their contributions to conservation and sustainable development and for their rights and collective responsibilities to defend their lands and territories.
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Learning
Defending Our Land, Defending Our Rights: Standing with Environmental Activists in Africa
Across Africa, communities are fighting to protect their forests, rivers, and land from destruction. In Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Senegal, Madagascar, DRC, and Nigeria, environmental defenders are challenging land grabs, mining projects, and deforestation that threaten their homes and livelihoods. But speaking out comes at a cost. Many activists face threats, arrests, and violence—sometimes from the very authorities meant to protect them.
To support those on the frontlines, Natural Justice and local partners have provided emergency legal aid, training, and advocacy support to environmental defenders. This initiative is about more than just responding to crises—it’s about equipping communities with the tools to resist, organize, and push for stronger protections.
The Cost of Speaking Out
For many defenders, standing up for their rights means putting themselves at risk.
- In Uganda, women leading land rights campaigns have faced harassment and legal intimidation.
- In Kenya, indigenous activists resisting deforestation have been forcibly evicted.
- In Madagascar, communities speaking out against illegal mining have faced retaliation.
Through this project, 13 environmental defenders received emergency legal aid to fight unjust charges, prevent forced evictions, and hold authorities accountable. Six of these cases were successfully resolved, proving that legal action can make a difference when communities have access to the right support.
Building Knowledge, Building Power
Beyond legal aid, the project focused on training grassroots defenders to better navigate legal systems and advocate for their rights.
- Legal handbooks were developed and shared across Kenya, DRC, and Madagascar, helping communities understand how to use the law to protect their land.
- Radio programs and webinars expanded access to legal knowledge, reaching thousands of listeners with strategies for resisting land grabs and forced displacement.
- Youth leadership programs helped a new generation of environmental defenders prepare for the challenges ahead.
Having access to legal support isn’t enough—communities need the knowledge and confidence to defend their rights.
Connecting Local Struggles to Global Advocacy
The challenges environmental defenders face are not isolated incidents. Across the region, the space for activism is shrinking, and communities are being displaced in the name of development. This project has helped bring these issues to international attention.
- A formal complaint was submitted to the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders, documenting rights violations in Uganda.
- Policy recommendations were developed for lawmakers in Kenya and Madagascar, calling for stronger legal protections for land defenders.
- Community activists participated in the Africa Land Forum, connecting local struggles to regional and international advocacy efforts.
By amplifying the voices of those on the ground, these efforts push governments and international institutions to take action.
What Comes Next?
While this project has made progress, the fight for environmental justice continues. The next priorities include:
- Expanding emergency legal aid for defenders facing threats and legal challenges.
- Strengthening international protections for environmental activists at risk.
- Broadening advocacy efforts to push for legal reforms that recognize and protect defenders’ rights.
- Training more community leaders to ensure local struggles are supported by strong networks.
The push for environmental justice is long-term, and progress comes through sustained legal action, advocacy, and grassroots organizing. With stronger protections, better resources, and continued support, environmental defenders can continue their work—not just to protect land and resources, but to secure their rights and futures.
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Solidarity with African Environmental and Land Defenders aims to support indigenous peoples and local communities and their grassroots organisations in up to seven countries in Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, DRC, Nigeria, Senegal, Uganda and Madagascar)in their efforts to resist and be protected against such threats as they defend their collective lands and territories of life. The actions and forms of support are both defensive and preventative in nature and respond directly to their self-determined needs and priorities, including, inter alia, awareness campaigns, trainings, digital and physical security measures, legal support, and communications platforms for regional and global advocacy.
The project supports indigenous peoples and local communities to remain on their customary lands and territories and continue their self-determined ways of life and livelihoods. In addition, the project supports indigenous peoples and communities, especially those who are routinely marginalised and discriminated against and face multiple intersectional inequalities, to advocate for legal and political recognition for their contributions to conservation and sustainable development and for their rights and collective responsibilities to defend their lands and territories.
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Defending Our Land, Defending Our Rights: Standing with Environmental Activists in Africa
Across Africa, communities are fighting to protect their forests, rivers, and land from destruction. In Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Senegal, Madagascar, DRC, and Nigeria, environmental defenders are challenging land grabs, mining projects, and deforestation that threaten their homes and livelihoods. But speaking out comes at a cost. Many activists face threats, arrests, and violence—sometimes from the very authorities meant to protect them.
To support those on the frontlines, Natural Justice and local partners have provided emergency legal aid, training, and advocacy support to environmental defenders. This initiative is about more than just responding to crises—it’s about equipping communities with the tools to resist, organize, and push for stronger protections.
The Cost of Speaking Out
For many defenders, standing up for their rights means putting themselves at risk.
- In Uganda, women leading land rights campaigns have faced harassment and legal intimidation.
- In Kenya, indigenous activists resisting deforestation have been forcibly evicted.
- In Madagascar, communities speaking out against illegal mining have faced retaliation.
Through this project, 13 environmental defenders received emergency legal aid to fight unjust charges, prevent forced evictions, and hold authorities accountable. Six of these cases were successfully resolved, proving that legal action can make a difference when communities have access to the right support.
Building Knowledge, Building Power
Beyond legal aid, the project focused on training grassroots defenders to better navigate legal systems and advocate for their rights.
- Legal handbooks were developed and shared across Kenya, DRC, and Madagascar, helping communities understand how to use the law to protect their land.
- Radio programs and webinars expanded access to legal knowledge, reaching thousands of listeners with strategies for resisting land grabs and forced displacement.
- Youth leadership programs helped a new generation of environmental defenders prepare for the challenges ahead.
Having access to legal support isn’t enough—communities need the knowledge and confidence to defend their rights.
Connecting Local Struggles to Global Advocacy
The challenges environmental defenders face are not isolated incidents. Across the region, the space for activism is shrinking, and communities are being displaced in the name of development. This project has helped bring these issues to international attention.
- A formal complaint was submitted to the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders, documenting rights violations in Uganda.
- Policy recommendations were developed for lawmakers in Kenya and Madagascar, calling for stronger legal protections for land defenders.
- Community activists participated in the Africa Land Forum, connecting local struggles to regional and international advocacy efforts.
By amplifying the voices of those on the ground, these efforts push governments and international institutions to take action.
What Comes Next?
While this project has made progress, the fight for environmental justice continues. The next priorities include:
- Expanding emergency legal aid for defenders facing threats and legal challenges.
- Strengthening international protections for environmental activists at risk.
- Broadening advocacy efforts to push for legal reforms that recognize and protect defenders’ rights.
- Training more community leaders to ensure local struggles are supported by strong networks.
The push for environmental justice is long-term, and progress comes through sustained legal action, advocacy, and grassroots organizing. With stronger protections, better resources, and continued support, environmental defenders can continue their work—not just to protect land and resources, but to secure their rights and futures.
- News