Investigation Uncovers Misleading Forest Finance Schemes Affecting Indigenous Communities

June 11, 2025 - 18:55

Mongabay contributor Glòria Pallarès has received an honorable mention in the 2025 Trace Prize for Investigative Reporting, as announced on May 28. Her investigative work shed light on the troubling tactics used to mislead Indigenous communities in Peru, Bolivia, and Panama into relinquishing their rights to vast areas of forest land.

The investigation, published in January 2024, titled "False Claims of U.N. Backing See Indigenous Communities Misled," revealed how these communities were exploited through deceptive claims of support from international organizations. Pallarès meticulously documented the complex web of misinformation that led to the erosion of Indigenous land rights, highlighting the urgent need for transparency and accountability in forest finance initiatives.

This recognition underscores the critical importance of investigative journalism in protecting vulnerable populations and ensuring that their rights are upheld. Pallarès' work not only informs the public but also serves as a call to action to safeguard the rights of Indigenous communities facing exploitation in the name of environmental finance.