BaiAni Foundation, along with ten other organizations, has signed a grant agreement for the USAID Investing in Sustainable Partnerships for Inclusive Growth and Regenerative Ecosystems (INSPIRE) Project. The signing ceremony took place at National Museum of the Philippines, marking a significant milestone in the collaborative efforts towards environmental protection and biodiversity conservation.

Out of more than 120 applicants, BaiAni Foundation was among the 11 shortlisted organizations. Their proposal, titled "Landscape Partnership towards Building Regenerative Communities in Davao Oriental," aims to foster landscape-scale goals by bringing together various key players and stakeholders, including the business sector. The partnership seeks to address crucial objectives such as preventing deforestation, building resilience in the face of climate change, conserving biodiversity, and improving livelihoods.

Photo from Davao Oriental State University

In April 2023, the Gerry Roxas Foundation facilitated the co-development process for BaiAni's full proposal. Stakeholders involved in the implementation of the project came together for an event that included a site visit to the Municipality of Tarragona and a three-day workshop at Davao Oriental State University. The workshop was attended by faculty members from DOrSU, the Provincial Tribal Council (PTC), and Indigenous Peoples Structure (IPs) from different Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT) holders in Davao Oriental.

During the co-development, Provincial Tribal Council Chair, Eleuterio “Terry” Manaytay expressed that the project is anticipated to inspire the indigenous peoples and participating stakeholders and he hoped that the project's influence would extend beyond its immediate scope, fostering their transformation into more effective stewards of the environment.

The Landscape Partnership will consist of core members from Davao Oriental State University, the Provincial Tribal Council, municipal tribal councils, and BaiAni Foundation. Their collective efforts will focus on enhancing food security and production through smart and regenerative agriculture, protecting and restoring forests to prevent further degradation, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and strengthening landscape governance by indigenous communities and local stakeholders in Davao Oriental.

With the grant signing, BaiAni Foundation and its partners are committed to promoting sustainable development and creating a more resilient and prosperous future for Davao Oriental. The project signifies an important step forward in addressing environmental challenges and fostering community engagement in the region.

Arnel Astillero, the Executive Director of BaiAni Foundation, expresses hope that the USAID INSPIRE project will bring about a lasting impact on the province. Astillero envisions the project creating long-term solutions for environmental conservation, economic development, and social well-being. The collaboration between BaiAni Foundation and its partners is expected to set a precedent for other regions aspiring to achieve similar sustainable goals in the future.

About the INSPIRE Project

INSPIRE is a five-year project that aims to improve natural resource resilience and security through the increased participation and engagement of civil society organizations (CSOs), media, academe, and local communities. It envisions to expand civil society participation and influence in natural resource governance for greater accountability and better results and complementation of local conservation and climate change mitigation actions. The Gerry Roxas Foundation (GRF) is the lead implementing partner for INSPIRE. https://gerryroxasfoundation.org/