International Sustainable Development Research Articles

Bridging Global Mandates and Local Realities: Intermediary Clusters and Interorganizational Collaboration for International Development

Addressing international sustainable development is an urgent and critical challenge. Existing research has focused on the role of individual intermediary organizations in supporting and shaping inclusive local markets to enhance development. However, it has overlooked how clusters of organizations act as intermediaries to build development capacity, and how they do so through local public institutions. This study focuses on the United Nations (UN) system and examines a specific transnational governance arrangement (Delivering as One) that envisioned the creation of local clusters of UN organizations to facilitate institutional capacity-building in developing countries. By comparing the evolution of the eight pilot UN arrangements, we distil a model of how intermediary clusters facilitate local capacity-building through a process of contextual bridging driven by interorganizational collaboration within the cluster. Our findings identify four mechanisms of contextual bridging. The first two—functional amalgamation of operations and development of a cohesive collective voice—strengthened internal collaboration among cluster members; subsequently, sharing authority with local stakeholders and the local calibration of interorganizational collaboration (IOC) allowed the entrenchment of IOC into the local context. Our work contributes to the literature on interorganizational collaboration and transnational governance in the face of global challenges.

Aligning stakeholder goals: Implications for inclusive urban sustainability

The implementation of local sustainability policies is often hampered by differences between multi-level policy goals and the development priorities of local stakeholders. This study evaluates how an assessment of the differences between public, national, and international sustainable development priorities, such as the SDGs, might inform inclusive sustainability policies at the local level. Specifically, this paper aims to demonstrate the use of multi-stakeholder goal-alignment assessment through content analysis and public opinion surveys administered in three cities across Henan Province, China. The findings 1) draw from the systematic assessment of stakeholder priorities to identify three typologies of goal-alignment or misalignment that have implications for the design of initiatives that offer co-benefits and for the mediation of trade-offs in meeting sustainability goals, and 2) demonstrate an integrative approach to developing urban sustainability policies and programs using both top-down prescriptive sustainability goals and human-centered experiential priorities.

Saudi Digital Library Services in the Light of the National and International Sustainable Development Goals

The study aimed to identify the concept of sustainable development, and to explore the role of digital libraries in achieving SDGs, by shedding light on the reality of the SDL in terms of financial, technical and human capabilities to achieve the Kingdom’s 2030 vision for sustainable development. The study revealed that digital libraries play an active role in achieving SDGs through secure and diverse technical infrastructure, and a variety of digital information sources. Digital libraries enhance the level of information awareness among users. Among digital libraries worldwide, SDL is distinguished in terms of knowledge resources acquired, its platforms, and through the large number of beneficiaries of its services, representing all segments of the academic community in Saudi Arabia's higher education institutions. Based on a solid network, and Saudi Arabia vision 2030, SDL succeeded to link higher education institutions through a huge amount of information sources, and facilitated their access, and provided equal opportunities for all. The study recommended that in order to be the national digital platform and effective development partner, SDL must expand the scope of services to include trade and industrial private and public sectors, and raise the level of research awareness and ethics among Arab scholars and researchers.

Imagining with imaginable: A Holistic Approach to Futures Thinking

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought attention to how interconnected and dependent the globe is, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive and team effort to address local, regional, and international sustainable development issues. The ability to receive and understand data from the outside world, our inner world of emotions, and our memories is known as imagination. It serves as a display for rational evaluation, introspection, and imaginative creation of our instincts, perceptions, emotions, thoughts, and conceptions. The capacity for creative imagination is the capacity to combine sensations and notions to create original ideas that are not always logical or true. We need to be conscious of the three filters that imagination uses to analyze information: the emotional, the intellectual, and the creative. We may create a more comprehensive and integrated approach to problem-solving and decision-making by comprehending these filters and how they interact. The "Theory of Imagination and Imaginables" and the "Model of Imaginables" are presented in this work using an interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary approach. We may design sustainable, just, and compassionate futures by practicing creativity and using a multidisciplinary approach to problem-solving. In addition to contributing to the emerging field of future studies, this study offers a valuable framework for people and organizations trying to understand the intricacies of our linked world.

Environmental sustainability among workers in Ghana: The role of green human resource management

The study examined the role of green human resource management (HRM) practices on environmental sustainability (ES) among workers in Ghana. An explanatory research design was adopted for the study. Using a structured questionnaire, data was drawn from 221 workers from various sectors. Data gathered was analysed with Partial Least Square-Structural Equation Modelling. The study found that there is a direct link between green HRM and ES behaviour among workers in Ghana. The novelty of the findings of this study relates to workers’ perspectives across multiple sectors in Ghana and is the first study to have applied value alignment theory to argue for green HRM and ES from the Global South. The study offers insights into how organisations in Ghana can integrate sustainable practices into human resource management strategies, fostering a more environmentally conscious workforce and contributing to national, regional and international sustainable development goals.

Factors affecting the protection of data rights in sports events: a configurational analysis

The development of algorithms and the spread of digital infrastructure have contributed significantly to the productivity of the digital economy. Data has come to be known as the “oil of the digital economy”. At the same time, data has begun to participate more deeply in the production activities of the global sports industry chain, and the international discussion on how to protect the rights of sports event data has been increasing. Based on the configurational theory and fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis, this study discusses the factors affecting the protection of sports event data rights. The study found three configuration paths for achieving high enterprise data protection effectiveness and two for achieving low enterprise data protection effectiveness. The results of this study provide theoretical support for governments to address the issue of sports event data rights. They will also facilitate the safe use of data in sports, promote the global sports industry and humanitarian action development, and contribute to international sustainable development.

Governing soils sustainably in India: Establishing policies and implementing strategies through local governance

Years of chemical-intensive agricultural practices following the Green Revolution in the late 1960s have led to extensive soil degradation in India. This has implications for food security, farmers’ incomes, and the country's economy. However, domestic top-down policy mandates in recent times have favoured practices like natural farming with a view to slow down and eventually halt soil degradation. This is in line with the international Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), one of which is focused on restoring degraded lands (SDG 15.3 aims to strive achieve land degradation neutrality). Taking cue from recent policy mandates on soil and land, this chapter posits the historical significance of the Panchayat — a village-level administrative institution in India — and argues for its involvement in policy implementation for soil rehabilitation at the village level, The article also makes a case for the introduction of an overarching National Soil Policy to encourage natural farming practices and biofertilizer use.

Protocol for an observational study of working conditions and musculoskeletal health in Swedish online retail warehousing from the perspective of sex/gender and place of birth.

European and International sustainable development agendas aim to reduce inequalities in working conditions and work-related health, yet disparate occupational health outcomes are evident between both men and women and domestic- and foreign-born workers. In Sweden, major growth in online retail warehousing has increased occupational opportunities for foreign-born workers. The rapid change has left research lagging on working conditions, i.e., employment conditions, facility design, work organisation, physical and psychosocial work environment conditions, and their effects on worker health. Further, no known studies have considered patterns of inequality related to these factors. The overall aim of this study is to describe working conditions and musculoskeletal health in online retail warehousing, determine the extent to which differences exist related to sex/gender and place of birth (as a proxy for race/ethnicity), and examine factors at the organisational and individual levels to understand why any differences exist. Three online retail warehouses, each employing 50-150 operations workers performing receiving, order picking, order packing and dispatching tasks will be recruited. Warehouses will, to the extent possible, differ in their extent of digital technology use. Employment conditions, facility design (including digital tool use), work organisation, physical and psychosocial work environment conditions and worker health will be assessed by survey, interview and technical measurements. Analysis of quantitative data stratified by sex and place of birth will consider the extent to which inequalities exist. Focus group interviews with operations employees and in-depth interviews with managers, union and health and safety representatives will be conducted to assess how employee working conditions and musculoskeletal health are related to inequality regimes of sex/gender and/or race/ethnicity in organisational processes and practices in online retail warehousing. The study is pre-registered with the Open Science Framework. This study will describe working conditions and health in online retail warehouse workers and consider the extent to which patterns of inequality exist based on sex/gender and place of birth.

Editorial Notes

The International Sustainable Development Research Society (ISDRS) is a global network of academic and sustainable development experts. ISDRS will organise an annual conference to allow practitioners, researchers, academics, and students to network and share their latest research, case studies, experiences, and accomplishments within the context of sustainable development.Halfway through Agenda 2030, and amid the COVID-19 pandemic to endemic transition, people from every walk of life are experiencing changes in their lives. Governments worldwide are aligning their goals and targets to fit in the new ‘norms.’ Against this background, researchers were invited to share their work, which assesses the progress of SDGs, at the 29th ISDRS Conference from 11th to 13th July 2023 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.The Malaysia conference took place in the mid of Agenda 2030, seven years and a half after SDGs was first launched in 2015, and seven years and a half more towards 2030. It goes without saying that the most appropriate theme for the 2023 conference was “Half-way through Agenda 2030: Assessing the 5Ps of SDGs (people, planet, prosperity, peace and partnership)”. Below are the commitments made by country leaders worldwide to the 5P back in 2015: People We are determined to end poverty and hunger in all their forms and dimensions and to ensure that all human beings can fulfil their potential in dignity and equality and in a healthy environment. Planet We are determined to protect the planet from degradation, including through sustainable consumption and production, sustainably managing its natural resources and taking urgent action on climate change so that it can support the needs of the present and future generations. Prosperity We are determined to ensure that all human beings can enjoy prosperous and fulfilling lives and that economic, social and technological progress occurs in harmony with nature. Peace We are determined to foster peaceful, just and inclusive societies which are free from fear and violence. There can be no sustainable development without peace and no peace without sustainable development. Partnership We are determined to mobilise the means required to implement this Agenda through a revitalised Global Partnership for Sustainable Development, based on a spirit of strengthened global solidarity, focused in particular on the needs of the poorest and most vulnerable and with the participation of all countries, all stakeholders and all people. The Faculty of Law, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, UKM (or the National University of Malaysia), was proud to be the main organiser of the 29th ISDRS Conference. Other co-organizers were IDEA Centre UKM, Institute of Fuel Cell UKM, Institute of Visual Informatic UKM, Institute of the Malay World and Civilization UKM, UKM-Graduate School of Business, Hadhari Institute UKM and UKM Strategy Center.

Genesis of Organic 3.0 agro-technologies to increase regional sustainability

Organic 3.0 agro-technologies have been gaining popularity over the last decades in light of the search for solutions for sustainable environmental management and sustainable development of territories. The International Sustainable Development Goals recommend the transfer and search for new agro-technologies of gentle impact on the environment in order to maximize resource conservation and minimize anthropogenic impact on nature for future generations. The trend of transition of many countries to organic production requires additional investment and building new mechanisms of interaction in the sphere of agro-industrial complex. The paper studies the established market of organic products, assesses its structure and makes a forecast of its future expansion. Climate change and the reduction of areas suitable for the production of food raw materials impose an additional burden on agricultural production, which should use more effective methods and technologies to increase productivity in the current conditions. The conclusions are drawn about the key role of Russia in the development of the organic trend of agro-industrial complex as a country with vast agrarian territories and resources.

Foreign Aid’s Effect on Political Risks for Foreign Direct Investment: A Literature Review

The last decade has seen an increasing focus on the involvement of the private sector in international sustainable development, particularly in high-risk jurisdictions. This involvement encompasses a broad spectrum, incorporating innovative private sector instruments—now acknowledged as ODA-eligible by the OECD—as well as traditional tools of external official support to developing countries, which remain the primary contributors to ODA flows. This literature review aims to consolidate the academic exploration of the enduring classic foreign aid tools' impact on the political risks associated with foreign direct investment (FDI), and identifies prevalent limitations while suggesting approaches to overcome these challenges.The first section delineates the central theme and rationale behind the literature selection process, utilizing the Google Scholar database to contextualize the research within a comprehensive framework. The subsequent section categorizes and compares the most relevant studies based on formal criteria and methodological parameters. Sections three and four critically assess the scholarly contributions in conceptualizing the mitigating influence of foreign aid in general, focusing on its impact on specific political risks such as expropriation, terrorism, and corruption. The concluding section delves into studies that explore foreign aid and foreign direct investment flows from China, the largest non-Western donor.A bibliometric analysis reveals a noteworthy disparity between research attention and policymaking focus on the subject matter. Notably, the selected papers fail to comprehensively cover the full spectrum of primary extra-legal and legal-governmental political risks for transnational businesses. Scholars' assessments of foreign aid's mitigating effect often lack differentiation between grants and loans or between flows directed to different sectors, as well as the distinction between aid routed through public institutions and bypassing them. Notably absent is a comprehensive analysis encompassing the complete range of 'established' Western and emerging non-Western aid providers, or an exploration of aid flows from non-OECD countries other than China. Most research focuses on Africa and fails to differentiate between recipients based on fragility, income levels, or other relevant categorizations. Moreover, the researchers have yet to delve into data post the COVID-19 outbreak, a critical period that significantly altered perceptions of political risk, foreign aid, and FDI flows. The literature review illuminates a research gap awaiting substantial exploration.

Assessment of a Francis Micro Hydro Turbine Performance Installed in a Wastewater Treatment Plant

The purpose of this research work was to examine the hydroelectric potential of wastewater treatment plants by harnessing the kinetic and/or potential energy of treated wastewater for electricity generation. Such a concept encapsulates the essence of renewable energy and resonates with international sustainable development mandates and climate change adaptation strategies. The primary objective was to analyze the performance parameters of the Francis turbine, a key component of this energy generation system. An experimental analysis encompassed model tests on the Francis turbine, simulating varied flow conditions using the GUNT turbine. Additionally, historical data from the Toruń Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) 2018 annual wastewater discharge were employed to validate the findings and shed light on real-world applications. The tested efficiency of the Francis turbine peaked at 64.76%, notably below the literature-reported 80%. The turbine system’s overall efficiency was approximately 53%, juxtaposed against the theoretical value of 66.35%. With respect to the Toruń WWTP data, the turbine’s power output was highest at 24.82 kW during maximum wastewater flow, resulting in a power production of 150.29 MWh per year. The observed turbine efficiencies were consistent with the previously documented range of 30% to 96%. The turbine displayed optimal outputs during heightened flow rates and maximized production at more frequent, lower flow rates throughout the year. Implementing such turbines in wastewater treatment plants not only aligns with global renewable energy goals but also boasts lower construction costs and environmental impacts, primarily due to the utilization of existing infrastructure. Furthermore, wastewater flow consistency counters the seasonal variability seen in conventional water treatment plants. These findings pave the way for more energy-efficient design recommendations for turbines within wastewater treatment and hydropower plants.

THE NEXUS OF LAW AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN SOUTH WEST NIGERIAN PUBLIC POLICY: A REVIEW OF MULTIDISCIPLINARY APPROACHES IN POLICY FORMATION

This research delves into the intricate relationship between law and sustainable development within South West Nigerian public policy context. The aim was to critically assess the multidisciplinary approaches in policy formation, particularly focusing on the interplay of law and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the region. Utilizing a multidisciplinary research methodology, the study examined a plethora of policy documents and legal provisions, underpinned by a comprehensive analytical framework. Results from the research highlighted the historical evolution of sustainable policies in South West Nigeria, emphasizing the pivotal role of legal frameworks in steering development. The study revealed the transformative nature of policy research and development in the region, influenced by both domestic legal paradigms and international sustainable development agendas. In conclusion, while South West Nigeria has made commendable progress in aligning its policies with sustainable development imperatives, there remain inherent challenges. These challenges, deeply rooted in the region's historical and socio-political fabric, necessitate a multidisciplinary approach for effective mitigation. Recommendations from this study underscore the importance of continuous stakeholder engagement, regular policy reviews, and fostering international collaborations. Such measures ensure that the region's policies remain attuned to the dynamic global sustainable development landscape, addressing the unique challenges and harnessing the opportunities inherent in South West Nigeria's development trajectory.
 Keywords: South West Nigeria, Sustainable Development Goals, Public Policy, Legal Frameworks, Multidisciplinary Approaches, Policy Research.

Integrating Renewable-Based Solar Energy into Sustainable and Resilient Urban Furniture Coupled with a Logical Multi-Comparison Study of Cyprus and Saudi Arabia

The purpose of this research is to analyze and evaluate the urban furniture in the public space of Dr. Fazil Kucuk Park in Nicosia and compare it with a logical Saudi Arabian case study. As such, the focus is on sustainability and renewable energy sources, especially the application of solar energy technologies in urban furniture, in order to determine the feasibility of using sustainable energy to operate the park. A qualitative research approach was chosen, using both secondary and primary data, along with images from the park. The data were analyzed using descriptive analysis, and this applies to both primary and secondary data used in this study. This research used six types of urban furniture, which are lighting, public art, benches, trash cans, bike stands, and billboards. The study showed that only the lights are efficient in using solar energy in the garden, while the rest of the furniture does not have it. The study assesses the integration of solar energy technologies in urban furniture at Dr. Fazil Kucuk Park in Nicosia, contrasting it with a Saudi Arabian case. The study’s scope encompasses six urban furniture types, emphasizing sustainability. The findings suggest actionable insights for enhancing furniture to align with international sustainable development standards. Therefore, it was concluded that more efforts are needed to upgrade the urban furniture in Dr. Fazil Kucuk Park to meet international standards to achieve sustainable development.

Renewable energy, economic growth and sustainable development: A model development in the light of empirical insights

AbstractWe construct a sustainable development model by examining the short‐run relationship, long‐run relationship and causality between renewable energy consumption and economic growth. We consider a sample of 142 countries for 1991–2019 and employ time series analysis. The study noticed the long‐run and short‐run relationship between economic growth and renewable energy consumption in the case of all Countries Groups and regions such as Europe and Central Asia, Middle East and North Africa, Sub‐Saharan Africa and low‐income economies. Overall, we conclude that renewable energy consumption positively influences economic growth, which can motivate countries to achieve sustainable development goals. A nation cannot only focus on economic development when growing environmental and climatic concerns exist. What is essential is the prioritisation of sustainable development goals. The constructed model will help the countries plan, modify and implement national and international sustainable development policies. The results will also be helpful to intergovernmental organisations for channelling countries' efforts towards sustainable development.

Governing the Extraterritorial: Global Environmentalities of China’s Green Belt and Road Initiative

This article proposes a global environmentality framework to critique efforts to “green” the Belt and Road Initiative (or Green BRI) by examining the Chinese state’s environmental governance of extraterritorial spaces. The article transcends a focus within governmentality studies on domestic processes to reveal the relations between governance techniques and environmental subjects, including state and nonstate actors, beyond sovereign borders. Drawing on interviews, observations, and analysis of policies and reports, we identify three ways in which global environmentalities operate and are negotiated through the Green BRI. First, the Chinese state is embracing international sustainable development criteria to gain global legitimacy while seeking to export its domestic environmental governance model, making the Green BRI a dialectic policy. Second, the state is targeting and disciplining BRI participants, including Chinese financial institutions, construction companies, the renewable industry, and foreign state actors in BRI countries. Third, Chinese and BRI partner country participants’ variegated subjectivities arise out of the negotiation of their own interests, Chinese state interests, and BRI host country concerns. Our analysis contributes to understanding of how China, as a rising power, engages in global environmental governance and produces extraterritorial environmental subjects.

Technological Aspects and Potential Cutaneous Application of Wine Industry By-Products

The biomass of vinification results in up to 20% by-products (seeds, skins, pulp, and/or stems) that can be used in the production of diverse functional food, nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic ingredients, mainly due to their high polyphenol content. Conventional polyphenol extraction techniques are based on the use of solvents that are harmful to health and to the environment, creating a demand for sustainable complementary initiatives that mitigate part of the environmental effects and offer consumer safety. Current advances in these technologies allow for the recovery of valuable antioxidants from winemaking by-products free of hazardous solvents, biocompatible, and in compliance with international sustainable development guidelines. Nanotechnology has gained prominence in the development of green technologies to reduce or eliminate toxic agents and improve the stability and bioavailability of waste polyphenols. These efforts have led to the application of bioactive compounds from wine by-products in the development of more efficacious sunscreens, as a skin protection approach, and improvements in the antioxidant effectiveness of nanocarriers with potential use in the promotion of cutaneous health. We aimed to present different extraction and encapsulation technologies for biologically active compounds from wine by-products (Vitis vinifera L.). We also focused on a particular application of such compounds towards the development of value-added skin protection products aligned with a sustainable circular economy.

Identifying sustainability assessment parameters for genetically engineered agrifoods

Societal Impact StatementA diverse portfolio of genetically engineered food crops, as well as animal livestock and fish, are currently being developed and commercialized. To ensure their contributions to long‐term sustainability, a broad range of environmental, health, ethical, and societal parameters should be used in their evaluations. This paper proposes a set of parameters to evaluate the sustainability of genetically engineered food and agriculture products and discusses mechanisms to improve their governance and oversight. With such holistic evaluations, genetic engineering applications that are deemed beneficial to sustainable agriculture could be identified in an effort to foster sustainability.SummaryTo achieve international sustainable development goals, food and agricultural production need to rely on sustainable and resilient practices. Traditional breeding as well as the use of new agricultural technologies, including genetic engineering and gene editing, have the potential to help achieve sustainable agrifood production. Although numerous oversight mechanisms exist to guarantee the secure and sustainable advancement and utilization of genetically engineered agrifoods, the majority of these mechanisms heavily depend on a narrow set of parameters to assess risks and safety concerning human health and nontarget organisms. However, a more comprehensive range of parameters should be considered to promote environmental and social sustainability in a more holistic manner. This Opinion article argues that to achieve a more sustainable agrifood production that relies on genetic engineering, governance systems related to new agrifood biotechnologies should incorporate a broader array of environmental, health, ethical, and societal factors to ensure their sustainability in the long‐term. To facilitate this process, we propose a set of parameters to help evaluate the sustainability of agrifoods that rely on genetic engineering. We then discuss major challenges and opportunities for formalizing sustainability parameters in US governance policy and decision‐making systems. Overall, this work contributes to further developing a more comprehensive assessment framework that aims to minimize potential risks and maximize potential benefits of agrifood biotechnology while also fostering sustainability.

A Model of ESG-Transparency Index in Corporate Reporting

The increasing importance of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) assessments in advancing the international sustainable development agenda necessitates the disclosure of ESG reporting information by public companies. Such disclosure plays a crucial role in facilitating effective global business communication with stakeholders and enhancing the credibility of ESG transparency measurements. The primary objective of this study is to develop and validate a robust model for a business transparency index. By leveraging mathematical tools, this model quantitatively measures the level of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) transparency, taking into account the requirements of stakeholders and evaluating a public company's ability to disclose comprehensive information.The research hypothesis posits that assessing ESG transparency in public company reporting based solely on the "quantity" of estimated values, while neglecting the critical factors of "quality" and "reliability," undermines the accuracy and reliability of the results. By utilizing existing mathematical tools, a business value management model is constructed, incorporating a balanced system of "quantity," "quality," and "reliability" factors present in the ESG information disclosed in public company reports.The research methodology adopts a comprehensive approach, combining logical and structural analysis, mathematical modeling, and content analysis methods. A thorough examination of the regulatory framework, international and Russian practices, and scientific research in ESG disclosure reveals the emergence of authoritative professional standards and frameworks between 2000 and 2023. These standards and frameworks play a pivotal role in shaping the disclosure of financial and non-financial information related to sustainable development in corporate reporting. However, a significant gap exists in established practices for determining ESG transparency levels. Current "transparency indices" fall short in incorporating these factors, leading to methodological incomparability and gaps in assessing the "quality" and "reliability" of estimated values.To address this gap, the authors propose a novel mathematical model for the ESG transparency index in corporate reporting. This model effectively integrates the factors of "quantity," "quality," and "reliability" within the disclosed information of public companies. Through a comparative analysis of disclosure and verification practices across various types of activities within Russian public joint-stock companies (PJSCs), the established model enables the creation of an industry rating gradation. This rating gradation assists in determining the level of information disclosure about public companies' activities, fulfilling societal (state) requirements and optimizing business objectives.

Redefining rights‐based conservation through philanthropy: The Ford Foundation in Mesoamerica

AbstractThe role of the philanthropic sector in climate change mitigation and biodiversity conservation is gaining renewed attention as new pledges to dramatically increase funding for nature‐based climate solutions mount. Despite their significant role in the conservation space, philanthropies are relatively understudied as donors; in particular, the lack of accountability and transparency in philanthropy have made them a “black box”, including in conservation‐related efforts. Based on extensive document and database review alongside interviews with philanthropic grant‐makers and recipients, this article seeks to analyze the conservation‐related efforts of the Ford Foundation—a long‐standing philanthropic actor in international sustainable development. Specifically, we examine how Ford Foundation practices in Mexico and Central America have shifted since 2000 to center Indigenous Peoples and local communities, both in terms of thematic focus and strategic approach. In explaining how Ford Foundation grant‐makers themselves understand the process of change, and their lessons from this process, this article highlights the ongoing challenges to and possible methods for centering inclusive, territorial approaches to produce more effective, lasting conservation outcomes.