Our People, Our Resources

This report presents a brief discussion
of indigenous peoples’ development as evidenced in a select
number of case studies about World Bank financed projects
that had a positive impact on indigenous peoples’
communities. The main objective of this study is to identify
and document good practices and lessons learned that can be
shared with World Bank staff, borrower governments, and
Indigenous Peoples’ organizations to help improve the design
and implementation of projects that trigger the World Bank’s
Operational Policy on Indigenous Peoples and/or are
primarily oriented toward the sustainable development of
indigenous peoples. World Bank activities with regard to
indigenous peoples have been primarily focused on applying
OP 4.10 to ensure that indigenous peoples receive social and
economic benefits that are culturally appropriate and gender
and age inclusive, and to mitigate possible adverse impacts
associated with Bank-financed projects. The policy itself
encourages Bank engagement and financial support for a
variety of initiatives that go beyond projects, engaging in
broader dimensions of country relationships that improve the
circumstances of indigenous peoples. As a result, the Bank
increasingly addresses issues concerning indigenous peoples
through: (1) country economic and sector work/analysis, (2)
dialogue and technical assistance, and (3)
capacity-building. This report is an initial attempt to
document good practices and lessons learned through results
with regard to indigenous peoples’ development. It is
intended to support the ongoing engagement process with
indigenous peoples and to inform the process of finding
better ways to promote sustainable development that will
positively affect indigenous communities.