Land Defenders Appeal

Across Mexico and Central America, young women are leading the fight for Climate Justice — standing against deforestation, pollution, water scarcity and land seizure. In communities where patriarchal traditions prevent young women’s voices from being heard, they face isolation, threats and enormous challenges. But they refuse to back down.

We’re thrilled to have secured £8,000 in match funding from the Big Green Give. That means every pound donated between midday on 22nd April and midday on 29th April will be doubled (up to £8,000).

 

Land Defenders
Fighting for Climate Justice

Born from over 30 years of experience in climate adaptation and women’s empowerment in Nicaragua, the Amos Trust Climate Fellowship supports young female activists — Land Defenders — through training, seed funding and networking. We help them gain the skills and resources they need to take climate action, challenge injustice and lead grassroots environmental projects in their communities.

These women are determined to protect their lands, preserve ancestral knowledge, and build sustainable futures — but what they need are the tools, funding and networks to amplify their work and strengthen their impact. That’s why we created our Climate Fellowship.

In 2024, 12 young women received training and grants to launch projects that promoted Indigenous knowledge, restored natural habitats, fought industrial polluters and protected endangered woodlands. The next cohort — 14 remarkable women from Mexico, Guatemala, Panama and Nicaragua — will soon begin their journey. Many of them come from Indigenous communities on the frontlines of the climate crisis.

“Without a doubt, exchanging experiences with other women defending the land and fighting for climate justice has been one of the most enriching parts of this journey.” Lucia Rodríguez — Climate Fellowship 2024

Your support goes twice as far

We’re thrilled to have secured £8,000 in match funding from the Big Green Give for our 2025 Climate Fellowships. That means every pound donated between midday on 22nd April and midday on 29th April will be doubled (up to £8,000).

Meet Xananine

Xananine Calvillo — from Amos Trust's Climate Fellowship 2025

Under Threat: Xananine’s project focuses on preserving ancestral farming knowledge, increasing women’s participation in climate action and defending Indigenous territories. Photograph: Diana Rey Melo
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Xananine belongs to the Indigenous Ngiwe people in central-southern Mexico. Today, their land is under threat from industrial agriculture, agribusiness and the climate crisis — causing water shortages, soil erosion and the loss of cultural traditions.

Her project focuses on preserving ancestral farming knowledge, increasing women’s participation in climate action and defending Indigenous territories. By passing down traditional wisdom — like the sustainable use of native plants, grains and wild cacti — she is helping her community fight climate change and restore their food systems.

“To begin creating a world where many worlds can coexist, we must build networks of resistance, solidarity and exchange between movements.” Xananine Calvillo — Climate Fellowship 2025

What your donation will do

With your help, young women like Xananine will:

  • receive training to develop and lead grassroots projects tackling climate change in their communities
  • get a £2,000 startup grant to fund their climate initiatives
  • join an in-person Learning Circle in Isla Arena, Mexico, alongside 26 Climate Fellows from across the region
  • play a key role in building a network of women-led environmental change projects in Mexico and Central America.

Will you stand with them?

These women are breaking through barriers of inequality to defend their land and protect their communities from the worst effects of the climate crisis. But they can’t do it alone. Donate between midday on 22nd April and midday on 29th April and your gift will be doubled.

Together, we can help them continue the fight.

amos trust works all around the world

We work alongside grass-roots partners in Palestine, South Africa, Nicaragua, Burundi, India and Tanzania.

Street Justice

Reaching children on the streets, addressing their trauma, working with them and their families to reintegrate them into their homes, to realise their rights and recover their future.

Palestine Justice

Working with local and international peace activists, and partnering with grass-roots projects, to call for a just peace, reconciliation and full equal rights for all Palestinians and Israelis.

Climate Justice

Addressing the impact of climate change and the causes of extreme poverty, building sustainable rural communities and empowering them to realise their rights.

Amos Travel

Bringing people together to meet our partners from around the world, visiting the communities they work in and seeing their projects in action — building solidarity and lasting friendships.

CONTACT US

Amos Trust
7 Bell Yard, London
WC2A 2JR
UK

Telephone:
+44 (0) 203 725 3493
Email:
[email protected]
Registered Charity No.

1164234

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