The objective of this briefing paper is to highlight the values, potential and needs as well as concerns and threats to the livelihoods of indigenous peoples 1 and local communities and their contributions to addressing the impacts of climate change and to reaching the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in particular SDG targets 2.4, 13.1 and 15.2. The deliberations and exchange of experiences during a workshop on ‘Cultures of Resilience’ held in Octo-ber 2017 at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Centre for Rural Development (SLE), Germany, are reflected below. The paper does not claim to capture all of the complex realities of indigenous peoples and local communities practicing, developing and struggling to maintain their traditional livelihoods in the face of climate change and environmental degradation. Rather it focuses on what research and development partners should pay attention to while discovering cultures of resilience.