Sec. 314. Empowering Afro-descent and indigenous communities in international development and conservation
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The Secretary, in coordination with the Administrator and the heads of other relevant Federal departments and agencies, as appropriate, shall develop and implement a strategy and related programs that— supports the empowerment and inclusive economic development of Afro-descendant and indigenous communities around the world; focuses on the Western Hemisphere and island nations; increases the participation of individuals from Afro-descendant and indigenous communities in existing bilateral initiatives and in educational and cultural exchange programs of the Department of State and USAID; increases access to finance, credit, and grants for small- and medium-sized businesses owned by Afro-descendant and indigenous entrepreneurs, organizations, and communities; provides technical assistance to local governments to formulate and enact local development plans that invest in indigenous and Afro-descendant communities; connects rural agricultural, fishing, forestry, and other environmental networks, including indigenous and Afro-descendant networks, to consumers in urban centers and export markets, including through infrastructure construction and maintenance programs that are subject to audits and carefully designed to minimize potential environmental harm; and partners with local governments, the private sector, and local civil society organizations, including organizations representing marginalized communities, to provide skills training and investment in economically viable initiatives.
The Administrator, in coordination with the Secretary and the heads of other relevant Federal departments and agencies, shall develop and implement programs and enhance existing programs, to the extent necessary and appropriate, that— improve ecosystem conservation and enhance the effective stewardship of natural resources by Afro-descendant and indigenous communities; provide technical assistance to governments to safeguard national parks and protected forests and protected species, while promoting the participation of Afro-descendent and indigenous communities in such process, as applicable; strengthen the capacity of Afro-descendent and indigenous communities to access the right to prior consultation encoded in laws, executive decrees, administrative acts, and ministerial regulations; support indigenous and Afro-descendant communities as they raise awareness of threats to biodiverse ancestral lands, including through support for local media in such communities and technical assistance to monitor illicit activities; partner with governments and Afro-descendant and indigenous communities to support reforestation and improving river, lake, and coastal water quality; provide assistance to communities affected by mining and deforestation; and foster mechanisms for cooperation on emergency preparedness and rapid recovery from natural disasters, that include Afro-descendant and indigenous communities in planning, establishing, and staffing regional preparedness, recovery, and emergency management centers to facilitate rapid response to survey and help maintain planning on regional disaster anticipated needs and possible resources.