This collection highlights just a few stories about our work in this area. To find out more about how AJWS supports organizations that work to defend the natural resource rights of communities, visit our Land, Water and Climate Justice issue page.
Land, Water and Climate Justice: Story Collection
We aid communities and movements organizing to protect the land, water and natural resources that people depend on for their survival.
Activists Up Close: Meet Misael, a Water Defender in Mexico
Misael was born into a family of Indigenous farmers in Oaxaca, Mexico — his connection…
Shuttering a Major Corporate Project in Mexico, ProDESC Scores a Victory for Indigenous Communities
After a five-year struggle, AJWS grantee Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Project (ProDESC) secured a…
A 13-year legal battle culminates in an historic victory for the Ogiek People
“Our food is in the forest. Our medicine is in the forest. The forest takes…
How Can Food Repair the World? Watch this Video and Find Out
Around the world, rural and Indigenous communities are working to repair the world — with food. …
I saw COP26 fail firsthand—here’s what we need for climate justice
Late last year, I flew from my home in Uganda to Scotland to attend the…
On International Day of Forests, a look at the global guardians of our woodlands
Today, we mark the International Day of Forests, a day to commemorate forests and to…
Mobilizing Latin America’s Indigenous Communities on International Day of Action for Rivers
“What these water companies do not want to understand, is that for us, water has…
Land Rights Are Women’s Rights
According to the UN, women in the developing world make up 43% of the agricultural…
On World Environment Day, We Honor AJWS Grantees Fighting to Protect the Environment
AJWS is proud to support activists fighting to protect the environment in countries around the…
“Our vision is for a more just and equitable society”: Reflections from Guatemala
Lesbia Morales is in her early 30s. She was the first woman president of AJWS…
Defending Land Rights in Cambodia’s Highlands: Indigenous Communities take a Rubber Company to Task
In a remote province of northeastern Cambodia sandwiched between Laos and Vietnam, a war is…
Women Lead the Struggle for Land: Reflections from Guatemala
Maria Magdalena Xalcut is in her 60s, but she has more energy than most women…
Women Reaching New Horizons: Reflections from Guatemala
I recently met with Maria Auxiliadora Gualim López, the founder and general coordinator of AJWS…
Working Together to Save the Chixoy River: Reflections from Guatemala
The day began early. We left at dawn to pick up Eridania “Eri” Martinez, founder…
Mayan communities advocate for their land: Reflections from Guatemala
"The Time of Suffering"—what the Q'eqchi' Mayans call the 30 plus years of conflict that…
“I want my children to have our land back”: Reflections from Guatemala
Sandra Caled was born on a day believed to be special on the Mayan calendar:…
The fisherwomen of Nyakakoma: Reflections from the Democratic Republic of Congo
“I came here 23 years ago from Goma to visit my friend, and never left,”…
Safeguarding the Waters in Nyakakoma: Reflections From the Democratic Republic of Congo
Charles Mukandirwa, my colleague in the DRC, had warned me that travel inside the country…
Blood in the Water
Hundreds of Maya Achi people were murdered to make way for a dam in Guatemala.…
The Movement and the Mine
In 2012, Bernardo was shot and killed. Locals allege that he was assassinated by supporters…
Indigenous communities defend their land and way of life
Indigenous communities work together to defend their land and way of life. In Guatemala, indigenous…
Defending Land for Rural Farmers in Burma
Although the majority of Burma’s people live off the land, few Burmese laws give them…
Protecting Indigenous Communities from Mining
The rapid growth of mineral mining across Mexico has ravaged local communities. Poverty and disease…