Global Alliance of Territorial Communities

What Global Alliance of Territorial Communities does

The Global Alliance of Territorial Communities (GATC) is a non-profit political coalition founded in 2014 and headquartered (via fiscal sponsor Rainforest Foundation US) in New York. It unites five regional member organizations — AMAN (Indonesia), AMPB (Mesoamerica), APIB (Brazil), COICA (Amazon Basin), and REPALEAC (Central Africa / Congo Basin) — representing approximately 35 million Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities across 24 countries and 958 million hectares of forest territory. The alliance advocates for land rights, Free Prior and Informed Consent, direct financing, protection of territorial defenders, and recognition of traditional knowledge at international forums including the UNFCCC COPs and Climate Weeks.

GATC's primary product is the Shandia Platform, launched in 2022, which coordinates a network of eight territorial funds (Nusantara Fund, Mesoamerican Territorial Fund, Jaguatá Fund, IPAS Fund, Fonds REPALEAC, Amazon for Life Fund, Podaali Fund, and Rutée Indigenous Fund) that channel direct climate and biodiversity finance to Indigenous communities. The platform aggregates approximately USD 10.1 million in Nusantara Fund commitments through 2029, USD 10 million from the Green Climate Fund via IDB for the Amazon for Life Fund, ~USD 3.8 million in Podaali Fund activity in 2024, and USD 1.88 million in Mesoamerican Territorial Fund investments since 2021.

GATC does not sell products or services. Its business model is grant- and donation-funded, with Rainforest Foundation US serving as fiscal sponsor. It is governed democratically by its member organizations and does not have external investors or equity holders. The organization employs approximately 12 staff and operates a multi-language digital presence (English, Spanish, Portuguese, Indonesian, French) with active social media engagement. Strategic direction is set through collaborative processes, most recently the co-creation of the Strategic Plan 2026 in Panama.

Name

Global Alliance of Territorial Communities

Legal name

Global Alliance of Territorial Communities

Website

https://globalalliance.me

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Global Alliance of Territorial Communities (GATC) is a non-profit coalition uniting five regional Indigenous Peoples' organizations across 24 countries to advocate for territorial rights, direct climate financing, and protection of 958 million hectares of forest land.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Infrastructure

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

GATC operates the Shandia Platform, a financing and advocacy mechanism that channels direct, predictable, and sustainable funding from donors to Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IP&LCs) through a coordinated network of eight regional and national territorial funds. The platform also delivers capacity-building workshops, knowledge-exchange forums, and policy advocacy to advance IP&LC rights, Free Prior and Informed Consent, and territorial governance across Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

Product overview

The Global Alliance of Territorial Communities (GATC) is a political advocacy platform, not a technology product company. Its primary offering is the Shandia Platform, a financing mechanism that facilitates direct funding to Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities. The organization operates a network of eight territorial funds managed by member organizations: Nusantara Fund (Indonesia), Mesoamerican Territorial Fund, Jaguatá Fund (Brazil), IPAS Fund (Asia), REPALEAC Fund (Central Africa), Amazon for Life Fund (Amazon Basin), Podaali Fund (Brazil), and Rutî Indigenous Fund (Brazil). The alliance also includes two movements - Women's Movement and Youth Movement - that advocate for indigenous rights and environmental protection. These products and services are advocacy, financing, and community organizing tools rather than commercial technology products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Shandia Platform A financing and advocacy platform that promotes and facilitates direct, predictable, effective, and sustainable funding for Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities through a network of regional and national territorial funds, capacity-building workshops, experience exchange, and enhanced dialogue with donors and partners. The platform serves Indigenous communities, member organizations, and climate-finance donors globally.

Quantifiable outcome

• 958 million hectares of land protected by member communities
• +2 more outcomes

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core, key, emerging and supporting.

• AMAN (Aliansi Masyarakat Adat Nusantara / Indonesian Alliance of Indigenous Peoples of the Archipelago)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCore member organization representing Indigenous Peoples of the Indonesian Archipelago. AMAN advocates for indigenous rights and protection of territories. Part of the five founding members of GATC.
• AMPB (Alianza Mesoamericana de Pueblos y Bosques / Mesoamerican Alliance of Peoples and Forests)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCore member organization uniting indigenous and community forestry groups in Mesoamerica. Advocates for conservation and inclusion of rights in climate strategies. Part of the five founding members of GATC.
• APIB (Articulação dos Povos Indígenas do Brasil / Articulation of Indigenous Peoples of Brazil)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCore member organization that emerged from Camp Terra Livre in 2005. Unites Indigenous Peoples in Brazil to advocate for rights against threats and aggressions. Part of the five founding members of GATC.
• COICA (Coordinadora de las Organizaciones Indígenas de la Cuenca Amazónica / Coordinator of Indigenous Organizations of the Amazon Basin)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCore member organization representing 511 Indigenous Peoples across 9 countries in the Amazon Basin. Safeguards territories and cultures under the motto 'Living Amazon, Secure Humanity.' Part of the five founding members of GATC.
• REPALEAC (Réseau des Populations Indigènes et Locales pour la Gestion Durable des Ecosystèmes Forestiers d'Afrique Centrale / Network of Indigenous and Local Populations for Sustainable Management of Central African Forest Ecosystems)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEstablished in 2003 in Kigali, Rwanda. Regional organization advocating for rights of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities across nine countries in the Congo Basin. Promotes ecosystem sustainability. Part of the five founding members of GATC.
• Forest Tenure Funders Group (FTFG)keyStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative group of funders working on forest tenure issues. Co-hosts events with GATC including 'The Pledge We Want' session at Shandia Forum 2024. Key partner in advancing policy for direct financing to Indigenous Peoples.
• Forest & Climate Leaders Partnership (FCLP)keyStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational partnership focused on forest and climate issues. GATC seeks to establish itself as a decision-making partner in FCLP, particularly regarding funding for territorial rights in participating countries.
• Nusantara FundkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerTerritorial fund established by three largest civil society organizations in Indonesia (AMAN, KPA, WALHI). Provides direct funding to Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities. Has supported over 420 initiatives with $10.1 million USD total commitment until 2029.
• Mesoamerican Territorial Fund (FTM)keyStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional territorial fund for Mesoamerica. Since 2021, invested USD 1,884,400 with 80% going to direct territorial funding. Supported 32 projects by IP&LCs and 8 women-led organizations across 6 Mesoamerican countries.
• Jaguatá FundkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerFund launched by APIB at Shandia Forum 2024 for Indigenous Peoples of Brazil. Developed through collaborative process led by Brazil's National Forum of Indigenous Leaders and APIB Fund Working Group.
• IPAS Fund (Indigenous Peoples of Asia Solidarity Fund)keyStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional fund for Asia established following 2022 workshop in Cambodia with 26 IPOs from 13 countries. Officially launched in 2023 in Bali. Re-granting in 6 countries, focusing on Indigenous women, youth, and persons with disabilities.
• Fonds REPALEACkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerCentral African Indigenous Peoples and Congo Basin Fund. Aims to sustainably value and conserve nature and forests with participation of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities. Governance is flexible, direct, and accessible to grassroots communities.
• Fondo Amazonia por la Vida (Amazon for Life Fund)keyStrategic or Co-development PartnerFund established by COICA to channel direct climate and biodiversity finance to Indigenous Peoples in the Amazon Basin. Initial USD 10 million contribution from Green Climate Fund through Inter-American Development Bank. Implementation in Peru, Ecuador, Venezuela, Brazil, and Colombia.
• Podaali FundkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerFirst Indigenous Peoples-led funding mechanism for Brazilian Amazon. Created, governed, and managed entirely by Indigenous Peoples. Launched in 2019, has supported 174 initiatives. In 2024, managed approximately $3.8 million USD from 15 donors.
• Rutî Indigenous FundemergingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCreated in 2024 by Indigenous Peoples Council of Roraima (CIR) as internal mechanism to strengthen territorial governance and economic autonomy. In first call, received 145 proposals and supported 25 initiatives.
• TINTA (The Invisible Thread)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal facilitation platform to strengthen Indigenous, local, and frontline community organisations. Collaborated on 'Stories of Resilience' project documenting COVID-19 responses in indigenous communities.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Amazon Watch: Amazon Watch is an Indigenous-led Amazon advocacy organization that works closely with COICA and APIB — two of GATC's founding members — on Amazon protection and Indigenous rights. It is a direct peer in mission, geography, and constituency representation.
• Survival International: Survival International is a global movement for the rights of Indigenous and tribal peoples. It is a direct peer because it advocates for the same constituencies on land rights, protection from violence, and FPIC, with comparable global reach and donor base.
• Cultural Survival: Cultural Survival is an Indigenous-led organization advocating for Indigenous Peoples' rights globally, including land tenure, self-determination, and Free, Prior and Informed Consent. It is a direct peer in advocacy scope, constituency, and international policy engagement.
• Rainforest Foundation US: Rainforest Foundation US is GATC's fiscal sponsor and a direct peer in Indigenous-led forest protection. It funds land-rights advocacy for Indigenous and traditional communities across the same tropical geographies and shares overlapping donor networks, including joint engagement on the Forest Tenure Funders Group.
• Indigenous Environmental Network: Indigenous Environmental Network is an Indigenous-led organization working on climate, environmental justice, and Indigenous rights in North America and internationally. It is a direct peer because it shares GATC's coalition model, advocacy priorities at COPs, and constituency-driven governance approach.
• Forest Peoples Programme: Forest Peoples Programme is a UK-based NGO that supports Indigenous Peoples' rights over their forests and works with similar communities in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. It is a direct peer because it advocates for the same Free, Prior and Informed Consent norms and partners with overlapping community networks.
• Rights and Resources Initiative: Rights and Resources Initiative is a global coalition focused on forest tenure and Indigenous land rights. It is a direct peer because it advances the same policy agenda — securing legal recognition of community forest rights — and engages the same multilateral forums and funder base as GATC.

Broad incumbents

• World Wildlife Fund (WWF): WWF is one of the largest global conservation organizations, active in forest protection across the same regions as GATC's member organizations. It is a broad incumbent because it addresses overlapping conservation goals but at much larger scale and without GATC's Indigenous-led coalition model.
• Conservation International: Conservation International is a large global environmental NGO operating in many of the same tropical forest geographies as GATC. It is a broad incumbent because it overlaps on forest protection and climate funding but does not focus specifically on Indigenous-led direct financing or FPIC.

Emerging players

• Forest Stewardship Council: FSC is a forest certification and standards body advancing sustainable forest management. It is an emerging-adjacent peer because it increasingly engages Indigenous rights standards within its certification framework and overlaps with GATC's member organizations in the same tropical forest geographies.

Market position

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/globalalliancet
• Facebookfacebook.com/globalalliancet
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/global-alliancet
• Instagraminstagram.com/globalalliancet

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Global Alliance of Territorial Communities