We are excited to welcome the Indigenous Movement for Peace Advancement and Conflict Transformation (IMPACT) to our 2026 Matchbox Program. IMPACT champions Indigenous rights and self-determination in Kenya.
Who they are
IMPACT is an Indigenous-led non-profit organization working with Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs) of Northern Kenya—specifically in Laikipia, Isiolo, Samburu, and Marsabit counties, where the majority of communities are pastoralists.
The organization is dedicated to advocating for and safeguarding the rights of Indigenous Peoples. IMPACT promotes collective rights, inclusive policies, participatory decision-making processes, as well as research, documentation, and incorporation of indigenous traditional knowledge into peacebuilding. It also supports the development of sustainable livelihoods and ecosystems.
IMPACT works to build and strengthen the capacity of communities and their local institutions, enabling them to understand, claim, and defend their individual and collective rights as enshrined in the Kenyan Constitution. Its goal is to foster grassroots social movements in which Indigenous Peoples are empowered to protect their human, land, and natural resource rights, contributing to a secure, just, and inclusive society for all.
What we will work on together
IMPACT implements community-centered interventions that focus on securing community lands, influencing policies that affect Indigenous communities, strengthening livelihoods, and revitalizing degraded rangelands to enhance climate change resilience. Their work also includes research and documentation of indigenous traditional knowledge, as well as fostering collaborations for peaceful coexistence, advocacy and development.
A key focus of this work is enhancing climate change resilience by increasing understanding of environmental and climatic change, supporting the development of land use plans, rehabilitating degraded rangelands, and clearing invasive species.
The data collected through these efforts is vital in responding to and potentially reversing environmental change. It also captures the important role of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs) as custodians of their land, supporting efforts to secure their land rights.
Through our collaboration, IMPACT is interested in developing a community-based monitoring information system that enables them and the Indigenous communities they serve, to draw insights from various monitoring projects while preserving Indigenous knowledge.
Our Matchbox partnership will involve:
- Secure platform development: Co-creating an accessible and sustainable digital platform for community-based monitoring.
- Digital security measures: Implementing robust data protection policies and protocols that safeguard community-based monitoring data.
- Capacity building: Strengthening IMPACT staff capacity in platform management, secure data handling, and responsible data practices.
If you want to know more about IMPACT’s work, please visit their website.
Interested in Matchbox?
If your organization is looking fordata or tech support, get in touch or schedule aLight Touch Support call. We’re always eager to collaborate with groups committed to social change.
Stay tuned to ourblog and social channels for more on our partnership as we share and celebrate milestones with IMPACT.