2025 Earth Fund Grantees: Partners in Arts and Indigenous Language Restoration
In the ongoing UN Decade of Indigenous Languages (2022-2032), various projects are being implemented worldwide to strengthen Indigenous languages and cultures. One such organisation making a significant impact is The Keepers of the Earth Fund (KOEF).
In 2025, KOEF supported 65 Indigenous projects and collectives with a total funding of $531,000 across 26 countries. The funds were distributed directly to Indigenous communities and organisations, emphasising projects that align with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
One of the key areas KOEF focused on was the revitalisation of ancestral arts and crafts. For instance, the Napu Manka Warmi Association in Ecuador, composed of ceramicist families, received support to promote artisanal ceramics with ancestral Amazonian designs. This initiative not only raises awareness about the negative impacts of the extractive industry but also strengthens cultural identity and provides a sustainable economic alternative for the Quijos community.
KOEF also encouraged the strengthening of Indigenous languages through grassroots projects supporting cultural and linguistic preservation. Although specific details on language projects from 2025 were not elaborated in the sources, it is clear that KOEF is committed to this cause.
In addition to these efforts, KOEF-supported activities included educational and cultural initiatives such as an Agroecological Vacation School teaching Indigenous youth environmental stewardship and cultural practices like basketry.
In summary, KOEF's 2025 goals and achievements centre on empowering Indigenous communities financially and culturally. By funding self-designed projects that revitalise traditional arts, protect languages, and bolster community-led advocacy and development globally, KOEF is making a significant contribution to the preservation and revitalisation of Indigenous cultures.
Education and self-development were key priorities for KOEF in 2025, as evidenced by their support for various cultural and educational initiatives. For instance, they funded an Agroecological Vacation School that taught Indigenous youth environmental stewardship and traditional crafts like basketry.
