In April, Awana Digital Executive Director Emily Jacobi joined leaders from across the climate, conservation, and social impact sectors at the Skoll World Forum to discuss approaches to protecting forests and supporting the communities that defend them.
One of the highlights of the gathering, Emily shared, was the opportunity to go deeper in conversation with organizations already doing the long-term work of supporting Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities protecting tropical forests.
"In the wake of all the disruptions to the nonprofit sector over the past year, I think more and more groups are recognizing that social justice work is inherently collaborative," Emily reflected. "We're turning away from individual hero stories and toward a deeper understanding of the ecosystems of people, organizations, and communities that make lasting change possible."
That shift resonated strongly with Awana Digital's own approach. For more than a decade, we have worked alongside Indigenous and frontline communities to co-design technologies that support territorial defense, environmental monitoring, and community-led conservation. What began as a collaboration with Indigenous partners in the Amazon has grown into a global network of organizations adapting and using these tools in diverse contexts around the world.
"I'm really proud of the role we are playing as part of a broader ecosystem," Emily shared, "and the way that what we originally co-built with Amazonian communities is now being adopted and adapted by groups in other regions."
As conversations continue about the future of climate justice, conservation, and technology, one message from Skoll felt especially clear: lasting impact depends on collaboration, trust, and supporting the leadership of the communities closest to the challenges—and the solutions.
Watch the full panel discussion below.