Key Concepts

Indigenous Peoples
The term Indigenous Peoples (also often referred to as "indigenous ethnic minorities," "tribal groups" and "scheduled tribes") describes "social groups with a social and cultural identity distinct from the dominant society which makes them vulnerable to being disadvantaged in the development process." Key characteristics identifying Indigenous Peoples:

• a close attachment to ancestral territories and their natural resources;
• self-identification and identification by others as members of a distinct cultural group;
• an indigenous language, often different from the national language;
• presence of customary social and political institutions; and
• primarily subsistence-oriented production.

Vulnerability
Specific social and historical characteristics of groups of people which make them particularly susceptible to risk posed by state-driven or private sector-financed development projects. These characteristics may include: (a) conditions of extreme poverty and depravation; (b) forms of ethnic cultural or gender discrimination; (c) strong dependency on natural resources for subsistence and livelihood; and (d) lack of access to political power and decision making.

Ethnic Identity (Ethnic Minorities)
Groups of people who distinguish themselves in terms of their heritage, cultural, linguistic and/or religious affiliation. Within pluralistic societies, there are often dominant ethnic groups in terms of their population size, political power, and access to economic resources; and other groups which are in a minority status. However, there are some societies where ethnic groups who form the demographic majority are often treated either in terms of law or in fact as sociological minorities.

Traditional Rights to Land and Natural Resources
Customary principles for allocating property rights, for resolving conflicts over land and natural resources and for transmitting such rights which are often not codified in national legal systems. Increasingly, such rights are being recognized by domestic and international legal regimes.

Common Property Resources
Land, water, forest and other resources which are held in common and often used collectively by specific groups of people. Such resources often exist side by side with private or family-held resources.

Indigenous Knowledge
Knowledge possessed by indigenous and other local peoples which is transmitted orally and often shows a sophisticated understanding of natural and other processes, typical examples are traditional medicinal plant, agricultural, ethno-veterinary, and other forms of knowledge. May also include such knowledge as usually related to broader cultural values and beliefs of indigenous and other traditional peoples.

Indigenous Institutions
Those norms, values and social arrangements which indigenous peoples possess for organizing political, economic and social activities. Examples include: traditional kinship groups, ceremonial societies, leadership institutions such as elders councils and chieftanships, voluntary organizations, women's groups and the like.

Indigenous Organizations
Groups formed by indigenous peoples to promote local community development or to represent their interest before national governments and international organizations. Such groups may be ethnically, regionally or nationally based, and are usually distinct from non-indigenous NGOs organized to represent the interests of the indigenous peoples.

Indigenous Peoples Plans (IPPs)
Formal plans required under Bank-financed projects to tailor benefits to Indigenous Peoples in a culturally appropriate way, and to mitigate the potential adverse effects of development activities on Indigenous Peoples. Such plans are prepared in free prior and informed consultation with affected indigenous communities, include services, and may have special programs for the recognition and regularization of traditional rights to land and natural resources.

Informed Participation
Methods for involving indigenous communities in development planning which take account of their linguistic and cultural characteristics, and make use of indigenous institutions and organizations.

"Culturally Appropriate" Services
Providing health, education, family planning, agricultural and credit, and other social services as well as technical assistance which takes into account indigenous knowledge, language characteristics and institutions.