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Community development

Empowering
Local Communities

Iwokrama is exceptional among conservation organisations because of its deep-rooted partnership with local communities.
Every aspect of our work—from cutting-edge forest research to sustainable business ventures, is designed to ensure social and economic benefits for the people who call the forest home.

Community-Led Conservation & Sustainable Development ​

Iwokrama is committed to a participatory approach to management of the Forest and its natural resources, and business development in the general Iwokrama Ecosystem.

Our approach is fully participatory, involving local stakeholders in the management of the Iwokrama Forest and the wider ecosystem.

Today, we work closely with 21 Indigenous communities in the North Rupununi region—home to more than 8000 people—ensuring that conservation and community development go hand in hand.

Empovering
the Next Generation

The Bina Hill Institute, officially known as the Bina Hill Youth Learning Centre, is a pivotal educational institution located in Annai.  Since its founding in 2001, BHI has partnered with Iwokrama, the North Rupununi District Development Board (NRDDB), and other key organisations to deliver transformative training, research, and leadership programmes.

BHI’s mission is to equip Indigenous youth with the skills, knowledge, and confidence needed to positively impact their communities.

Through a comprehensive two-year residential program, students receive hands-on education in:

  • Natural resource management
  • Forestry and wildlife conservation
  • Agriculture and tourism
  • Business and entrepreneurship
  • English, mathematics, and computer literacy
  • Life skills and traditional knowledge

 

In addition to classroom learning, students participate in practical agricultural projects—including livestock rearing and crop cultivation—that promote self-sufficiency and reinforce real-world experience.

Strengthening Local Leadership: The NRDDB ​

North Rupununi District
Development Board (NRDDB)

A major success of this partnership was the formation of the North Rupununi District Development Board (NRDDB) in 1996.

Entirely community-based, the NRDDB plays a key role in managing the region’s wetlands and savannahs and is a key voice in conservation decision-making.

The NRDDB is represented on Iwokrama’s International Board of Trustees, and is active through both staff and volunteer contributions.

Building Local Capacity

The NRDDB began in 1996 and has developed substantial capacity for management in the North Rupununi Wetlands and Savannahs. The NRDDB is represented on Iwokrama’s International Board of Trustees, as well as the staff and volunteer corps.

In 2004, Iwokrama and the NRDDB formalized their partnership with a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)—a key agreement that formalized the objectives and relations between the two parties, guides joint initiatives and community-driven enterprises.

Makushi Research Unit (MRU) – established in 1995, this group primarily composed of Makushi women, work to document, preserve, and revitalize Makushi culture, language, and traditional ecological knowledge.

Wildlife Clubs –community-based youth organisations in the North Rupununi established to advance environmental stewardship and conservation leadership among young people