Initiative for Transnational Justice (IJT)
Focus Area:
Legal
Key Lever:
Community mobilization, Policy & regulation
Grant Region:
South America
Grant Country:
Chile
Grant Start Year:
2024
Project name
Defending global commons of indigenous communities in southern Chile
Project summary
The Pilmaykén river (meaning “woodswallow” in Mapuche language) has been the target for the construction of several hydropower dams, pushed by the Norwegian company Statkraft. Around 150 Mapuche-Williche communities, which were defending the river prior to Statkraft buying the local company. Statkraft is pursuing the construction of the “Los Lagos” project, despite the indigenous communities articulating clear concerns relating to their sacred territories, land, and livelihoods for decades.