Home Planet Fund Emphasizes Direct, Realistic Support for Indigenous Conservation Projects

Home Planet Fund, an independent Indigenous‑led nonprofit, is reshaping conservation finance by directing money straight to local communities worldwide. Founder and executive director Dilafruz Khonikboyeva, who grew up in Soviet‑occupied Tajikistan, stresses that funding must be grounded in local knowledge and realistic expectations. She warns funders against the illusion that projects can always meet predetermined timelines and deliverables. Instead, the fund champions a flexible model that acknowledges disasters, shifting needs, and the necessity of caring for people on the ground. By encouraging donors to accept uncertainty and adapt, the Home Planet Fund seeks to make conservation projects more resilient and truly community‑driven.