Supporting Climbing Communities Worldwide

Around the world, climbing is growing and catalyzing unique positive impacts. In some places, it’s creating sustainable tourism in rural areas. In others, it’s a powerful source of healing for people recovering from trauma or searching for community. But many local climbing leaders face barriers, such as lack of gear, training, or funding, that prevent their communities from maximizing the true potential of this sport.

The Global Climbing Initiative(Se abre en una ventana nueva) (GCI) exists to change that. By distributing climbing gear around the world, awarding grants for projects led by local climbing organizations, and leading educational trainings, we invest in local climbing communities that rarely have access to funding or industry resources.

Osprey is an enthusiastic partner in this mission, helping GCI create change on a global scale. Starting in 2023, Osprey donated a dozen Transporter Duffel Bags to help us transport hundreds of pounds of climbing shoes, harnesses, helmets, ropes, and more around the world. Since 2024, Osprey has generously sponsored our Social Impact Grants, funding innovative projects that expand access to climbing and create opportunities for communities that have historically been left out of the sport.

Through this partnership, we’ve witnessed the creativity and innovation of climbing leaders worldwide. In India, Indigenous honey harvesters(Se abre en una ventana nueva) who scale towering cliffs for their livelihoods receive rope skills and first aid training from local climbers. In Chile’s Atacama Desert, women and LGBTQ+ climbers are gathering for outdoor workshops that create both technical knowledge and a sense of belonging. In Ghana, community-led trainings are opening new climbing areas at Krobo Hills and Asubone, expanding opportunities for local climbers. And in Brazil, youth who might not otherwise access climbing are traveling together to festivals, experiencing the sport in ways that foster confidence and connection.

All of these projects, and many more, demonstrate what happens when local leaders are given the tools and trust to shape their climbing communities, enabling this sport to build environmental stewardship, youth development, individual empowerment, and social change on a global scale.

Cover photo by Climb Like A Woman / Gayatri Juvekar