Community-Led Sustainability Models Based on Indigenous Ecological Knowledge

This paper presents a theoretical examination of community-led sustainability models grounded in Indigenous Ecological Knowledge (IEK). In the context of growing ecological crises and the limited effectiveness of centralized and technocratic sustainability approaches, the study argues for the relevance of indigenous knowledge systems as alternative and complementary frameworks for sustainable development. Indigenous Ecological Knowledge is understood as a holistic, place-based, and intergenerational system of understanding that emphasizes balance, reciprocity, and ethical relationships between humans and nature. The paper conceptually explores how community agency, collective decision-making, and local governance structures enable sustainability models that are environmentally sound, socially inclusive, and culturally rooted. By linking IEK with key dimensions of sustainability environmental, social, cultural, and economical the study highlights how community-led approaches promote long-term ecological resilience rather than short-term growth. The analysis also contrasts IEK-based models with mainstream sustainability paradigms, demonstrating their potential to address issues of equity, participation, and ecological responsibility. The paper further discusses theoretical challenges in integrating indigenous knowledge into formal sustainability discourse, including epistemic marginalization and ethical concerns. Overall, the study contributes to sustainability theory by emphasizing the importance of indigenous epistemologies and community-led governance in shaping more just and sustainable futures.