Overview
African Community Resource Rights Alliance (ACRRA) is a South Africa–registered, Indigenous-led organisation working to protect the rights of Indigenous Peoples in Africa. ACRRA advocates for their ability to access, manage, and benefit from their biocultural heritage and natural resources. The organisation uses legal empowerment and innovative approaches to support Indigenous-led conservation, sustainable resource management, and the protection of traditional knowledge.
Status
Active (2025 - 2026)Thematic Area
Data collection / monitoring
Governance
Social enterprise / wildlife economy
Supporting Human Centered Conservation
Sustainable Use
Overview
African Community Resource Rights Alliance (ACRRA) is a South Africa–registered, Indigenous-led organisation working to protect the rights of Indigenous Peoples in Africa. ACRRA advocates for their ability to access, manage, and benefit from their biocultural heritage and natural resources. The organisation uses legal empowerment and innovative approaches to support Indigenous-led conservation, sustainable resource management, and the protection of traditional knowledge.
Status
Active (2025 - 2026)Thematic Area
Data collection / monitoring
Governance
Social enterprise / wildlife economy
Supporting Human Centered Conservation
Sustainable Use
Objectives
- Advocacy – supporting African Communities, especially Indigenous Peoples’ rights to conserve, manage and sustainably use their customary natural resources in accordance with international and regional and national laws.
- Solidarity – supporting coalitions of indigenous Peoples and local communities around their customary natural resources.
- Education – supporting the efforts of vulnerable communities in line with the education rights of indigenous peoples.
- Legal Empowerment – developing Indigenous law-making approaches in support of Indigenous Peoples’ resource rights.
1 - No Poverty
10 - Reduced Inequalities
11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities
12 - Responsible Consumption and Production
14 - Life Below water
15 - Life on Land
16 - Peace Justice and Strong Institions
2 - No Hunger
3 - Good Health and Wellbeing
4 - Quality Education
5 - Gender Equality
6 - Clean Water and Sanitation
8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth
SDGs
CBD Targets
”ACRRA remains committed to support African communities at the interface of their right to their biodiversity conservation efforts and their cultural existence, which are often intimately interlinked. We therefore apply a human rights-based approach to Indigenous Peoples' rights efforts at biodiversity conservation.
Lesle Jansen
Managing Director
Results/Impact
ACRRA’s work is expected to contribute to the development of a well-governed Southern African institute dedicated to supporting Indigenous Peoples in securing their lands, territories, and natural resources, as affirmed in Article 26 of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. By applying innovative legal approaches, ACRRA aims to promote and protect the biocultural rights of Indigenous communities, strengthening their ability to govern and safeguard their heritage for future generations.
