Care for Country standard

The Caring for Country Standard seeks to place cultural and community outcomes at the centre of project design and credit generation.

Eligible actikvities are expected to be those that deliver meaningful benefits for First Nations people and Country, including:

• Ranger programs and on-Country activities that support customary custodial responsibilities.
• Cultural knowledge transfer and intergenerational learning.
• Projects that strengthen community wellbeing, resilience and fulfilment of culture.
• Leadership development and capacity-building opportunities for First Nations peoples.
• Other culturally appropriate activities identified through co-design with Traditional Owners and First Nations knowledge holders.

All projects will be required to demonstrate additionality, free, prior and informed consent, and alignment with an approved methodology developed under the Standard. Projects may also be able to generate biodiversity, water quality or carbon credits, allowing cultural outcomes to be recognised alongside environmental outcomes .

The  Standard is being designed to measure cultural and social outcomes in ways that are robust, transparent and culturally appropriate. Measurement approaches will be determined through methodologies developed in partnership with Traditional Owners and First Nations leaders.

Potential measures may include:

• Time spent caring for Country.
• Participation in cultural activities and governance.
• Cultural knowledge sharing and intergenerational transfer.
• Community wellbeing and resilience indicators.
• Demonstrated fulfilment of cultural obligations and responsibilities to Country.