A facility supporting rights and tenure of coastal and shoreline communities

Turning Tides is an international, value-led, facility dedicated to supporting the tenure and rights of local communities, small-scale fishers and fish workers, and Indigenous Peoples.

When tenure is secure and resource rights are recognized, communities thrive, environments are protected, and economies are inclusive and strong.

So why are we Turning Tides? Because collective rights are still being eroded by weak commitments, powerful interests, narrow views of tenure, and tokenistic efforts toward participation.

This is how we turn the tide

Latest from Turning Tides 


Supporting rights and tenure of local communities, small- scale fishers, fish workers, and Indigenous Peoples 

This strategy informs theory of change, pathways and mechanism how Turning Tides supporting rights and tenure to 2030

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Accounting for existing tenure and rights over marine and freshwater systems 

This report will prime an informed discussion among duty-bearers and rights-holders on what recognizing and strengthening tenure entails in different coastal contexts, and for other people.

Read More

Lessons Learned for Community Rights-Based Recognition and Management of Land, Coastal and Marine Areas 

Lessons Learned for Community Rights-Based Recognition and Management of Land, Coastal and Marine Areas.

Read More
More updates here

Rights

Environmental stewardship

Community-led

Leadership and agency

Fair laws and policies

Our values

Center power with partners.

Ensure that the power to make decisions about strategic direction and resource distribution rests with partners and communities who are closer to the issues that need to be addressed.

Uphold lived experiences and traditional knowledge.

Recognize that deep understanding comes from lived experience. Create learning environments that respect and value all forms of knowledge equally.

Base work on trust, responsiveness, and service.

Driven by trust and honest relationships – actively listening, responding to community needs, and serving with integrity.

Prioritize transparency & accountability.

Commit to transparency and shared accountability in all aspects of the work. Openly discuss power dynamics throughout the process of building relationships and collaboration

Foster solidarity and protect civic spaces.

Acknowledge that a strong civil society—composed of leaders, organizations, networks, and movements—is central to advancing collective goals.

Prioritize and plan for self-determination and independence.

Acknowledge that two-way independence is necessary for true empowerment. We commit to preventing the undue influence of external priorities and ideologies on partners.

Commit to humility and reflexivity.

Recognize the collective wisdom and expertise needed to address challenges, fostering humility and reflexivity as keys to continuous growth and positive change.

Our values

Center Power with Partners.

Ensure that the power to make decisions about strategic direction and resource distribution rests with partners and communities who are closer to the issues that need to be addressed.

Our values

Uphold Lived Experiences and Traditional Knowledge.

Recognize that deep understanding comes from lived experience. Create learning environments that respect and value all forms of knowledge equally.

Our values

Base Work on Trust, Responsiveness, and Service.

Driven by trust and honest relationships – actively listening, responding to community needs, and serving with integrity.

Our values

Prioritize Transparency & Accountability.

Commit to transparency and shared accountability in all aspects of the work. Openly discuss power dynamics throughout the process of building relationships and collaboration

Our values

Foster Solidarity and Protect Civic Spaces.

Acknowledge that a strong civil society—composed of leaders, organizations, networks, and movements—is central to advancing collective goals.

Our values

Prioritize and Plan for Self-Determination and Independence.

Acknowledge that two-way independence is necessary for true empowerment. We commit to preventing the undue influence of external priorities and ideologies on partners.

Our values

Commit to Humility and Reflexivity.

Recognize the collective wisdom and expertise needed to address challenges, fostering humility and reflexivity as keys to continuous growth and positive change.

“Let’s all work toward strengthening the conditions that enable tenure security – this offers us all avenues for improved environmental stewardship, food and livelihood security, and greater social equity”.

Community Echoes: Stories from our partners 


Support given by TT

[…] Turning Tides’ support makes it possible to safeguard the community’s rights to manage their own territory”

Indonesian Marine Conservation Foundation

Explore more stories here
Connect and collaborate!
info@turningtidesfacility.org

Where does Turning Tides work?

We have pilot projects ongoing in Honduras, Senegal, Guinea-Bissau, Gambia, Bangladesh, Thailand, and Indonesia. Additionally, we are co-developing strategies for Latin America, Africa, and Asia.

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