alinea’s whistleblower policy

1.1 Purpose

The following Whistleblower Policy has been established to provide guidance to Alinea International employees and sub-contractors on how to deal with known or suspected improper conduct within the organization. The objectives of this Policy are to:

Create awareness of the Policy and available whistleblower protections
Act as a reference guide to potential whistleblowers wishing to make a disclosure
Define the structure of the whistleblower system, including reporting and investigation procedures, whistleblower protections, and confidentiality, among others
Improve the communication and transparency in the processes associated with whistleblowing and assure protection against derogatory consequences, namely reprisals and detrimental action
Complement the current communication channels between employees, sub-contractors and immediate managers, and hierarchical channels flowing to the President and Senior Management team
Provide guidance to all parties involved in either whistleblowing or whistleblower protection.

1.2 Scope

Alinea requires all employees and sub-contractors to observe high standards of business and personal ethics in the conduct of their duties and responsibilities. All employees and sub-contractors of Alinea are required to comply with applicable laws and regulations of Canada and the countries where we operate. Any allegations of known or suspected improper conduct or mismanagement of organizational resources will be dealt with in accordance with this Policy, and reasonable steps will be taken to protect those who come forward with allegations. Alinea’s Whistleblower Policy covers both internal and external whistleblowing, and establishes the controls and procedures for dealing with allegations of malpractice, fraud and violations of our code of ethics and/or laws or regulations that govern our operations. This Policy is intended to encourage employees and sub-contractors to report known or suspected improper conduct or mismanagement of organizational resources and to enable Alinea’s Senior Management team to address and correct inappropriate action. It is the responsibility of all Board of Directors’ members, the Senior Management team, employees and sub-contractors to report concerns about known or suspected malpractice, fraud and violations of our code of ethics and/or laws or regulations that govern our operations. This Policy is applicable to all employees and sub-contractors of Alinea International.

1.3 Reporting Procedures

Alinea recognizes the value of transparency and accountability in its administrative and management practices and supports the making of disclosures that reveal improper conduct or mismanagement of organizational resources. Our internal controls and operating procedures are intended to detect and prevent malpractice, fraud and violations of our code of ethics and/or laws or regulations that govern our operations. As detailed in Alinea’s Employee Policy and Onboarding manuals, employees and sub-contractors are encouraged to share complaints and/or concerns regarding ethical or legal violations with their immediate managers. If the employee or sub-contractor is not comfortable speaking with their immediate manager or is not satisfied with the response, they are encouraged to speak with the Gatineau or Calgary Office Managers, the Vice Presidents or, as required, the Chief Financial Officer. All members of the Senior Management team are required to report complaints and/or concerns about suspected ethical or legal violations in writing to Alinea’s Ethics Committee who has the responsibility to investigate all reported complaints and/or concerns. In the event that the complaint and/or concern is about the President, it should be raised by the employee or sub-contractor to their immediate manager or the Ethics Committee who will determine how the investigation will proceed. All reports will be promptly investigated and appropriate corrective measures will be taken if warranted by the investigation. Alinea’s Ethics Committee is responsible for acknowledging receipt of the suspected violation and notifying the whistleblower of the outcome of the investigation. Anyone filing a written complaint concerning suspected improper conduct or mismanagement of organizational resources must be acting in good faith and have reasonable grounds for believing the information disclosed indicates a violation. Personal grievances or complaints related to employment are not covered under Alinea’s Whistleblowing Policy. For cases such as this, employees and sub-contractors are advised to first refer to Alineas Employee Policy and Onboarding manuals when considering a disclosure under the Whistleblowing Policy. Any allegations that prove not to be substantiated and which prove to have been made maliciously or knowingly to be false will be viewed as a serious disciplinary offense.

1.4 Confidentiality

Maintaining confidentiality is crucial to ensure reprisals are not made against the whistleblower. Alinea is committed to safeguarding the identity of the whistleblower and to protecting the whistleblower against detrimental action taken in reprisal for allegations of suspected improper conduct or mismanagement of organizational resources. The Ethics Committee is responsible for ensuring whistleblowers are protected from direct and indirect detrimental action, and that the culture of the workplace is supportive of suspected allegations being made. Any employee who retaliates against someone who has reported a violation in good faith is subject to discipline up to and including termination of employment.

1.5 Review

Alinea is committed to implementing ‘best practice’ policies and procedures for dealing with allegations of suspected improper conduct or mismanagement of organizational resources (as defined by this Policy) and the management and protection of whistleblowers making allegation(s). This Policy will be reviewed periodically to ensure it meets the objectives of relevant legislation and remains effective for Alinea, and may be changed at the discretion of the Board of Directors at any time. For allegations of fraud, securities law, or human rights concerns, or when you are not satisfied or uncomfortable with following the Company’s open door policy, individuals should contact the Company’s Ethics Committee directly.

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La experiencia de Alinea International llega a la Cumbre Mundial sobre Turberas

Lima, Perú, julio de 2026. El liderazgo de las mujeres indígenas en la conservación de los humedales altoandinos fue uno de los principales mensajes presentados por Alinea International durante la Cuarta Reunión de los Socios de la Iniciativa Global sobre las Turberas (Global Peatlands Initiative – GPI), realizada del 30 de junio al 4 de julio en Lima y Loreto, Perú. Organizado por el Programa de las Naciones Unidas para el Medio Ambiente (PNUMA) y el Ministerio del Ambiente del Perú (MINAM), el evento reunió a representantes de gobiernos, pueblos indígenas, organizaciones internacionales, instituciones de investigación y especialistas técnicos para intercambiar conocimientos y lecciones aprendidas sobre la conservación y el manejo sostenible de las turberas, ecosistemas fundamentales para los medios de vida tradicionales, la conservación de la biodiversidad, la seguridad hídrica y la acción climática.

Alinea International estuvo representada por la Ing. Marcelita Ponce de León, Gerente Regional de Campo, y la Blga. Yenny Ihue, Coordinadora de Implementación en Arequipa (Perú) del proyecto Mujeres Guardianas de la Biodiversidad y la Resiliencia Climática en Bofedales y Paisajes de Turberas. Financiada por Global Affairs Canada, esta iniciativa se implementa entre 2024 y 2029 en sitios Ramsar estratégicos de Bolivia, Ecuador y Perú, con el objetivo de fortalecer el liderazgo de las mujeres indígenas en la conservación y la gobernanza de estos humedales de importancia mundial.

Como parte del programa técnico, Marcelita Ponce de León participó como panelista en las sesiones “El papel de los pueblos indígenas y sus comunidades” y “Gestión comunitaria y cogestión con pueblos indígenas”. En estos espacios compartió la experiencia del proyecto junto con representantes del Gobierno de Colombia, el Servicio Nacional de Áreas Naturales Protegidas por el Estado (SERNANP), el Instituto del Bien Común (IBC) y The Nature Conservancy (TNC). En conjunto, el panel destacó que la participación activa de los pueblos indígenas y de las comunidades locales es indispensable para garantizar la conservación a largo plazo de las turberas y de otros humedales de importancia global.

Durante su presentación, Ponce de León destacó que el proyecto promueve un enfoque participativo de gobernanza ambiental que reconoce a las mujeres indígenas como lideresas, titulares de derechos y guardianas de los conocimientos ecológicos tradicionales. Mediante la coproducción de conocimientos, el fortalecimiento del diálogo intercultural y el compromiso con los derechos de los pueblos indígenas y de sus territorios, el proyecto respalda iniciativas impulsadas desde las propias comunidades para la protección y el cuidado de los bofedales y otros humedales altoandinos. De esta manera, reconoce y pone en valor las prácticas de manejo y cuidado del territorio que los pueblos indígenas y las comunidades locales han desarrollado durante generaciones, así como los conocimientos y vínculos culturales que mantienen con estos ecosistemas, elementos esenciales para su conservación y para enfrentar el cambio climático.

“La conservación de las turberas no puede entenderse sin las personas que han protegido estos ecosistemas durante generaciones. Fortalecer el liderazgo de las mujeres indígenas también significa fortalecer la resiliencia frente al cambio climático, la gobernanza territorial y el futuro de estos ecosistemas vitales.”

La presentación también subrayó que las iniciativas de conservación son más efectivas cuando son lideradas por las propias comunidades y se sustentan en sus identidades culturales, lenguas, sistemas de gobernanza y conocimientos. Bajo este enfoque, el proyecto ha adoptado metodologías inclusivas y participativas que promueven la participación de mujeres de distintas generaciones y crean espacios seguros y éticamente adecuados para su involucramiento, procurando no incrementar de manera desproporcionada sus cargas de trabajo y responsabilidades.

Asimismo, la presentación reflexionó sobre las principales lecciones aprendidas durante los dos primeros años de implementación del proyecto, destacando la importancia de promover un diálogo basado en el respeto mutuo y el aprendizaje compartido, así como de articular los conocimientos científicos con los saberes de los pueblos indígenas para fortalecer su papel en la conservación y la gobernanza sostenible de los humedales. También se enfatizó que fortalecer la resiliencia frente al cambio climático y avanzar en la conservación requiere no solo reconocer los derechos, conocimientos y aportes de los pueblos indígenas y las comunidades locales, sino también garantizar su participación equitativa en los beneficios sociales, económicos y ambientales derivados de las acciones de conservación.

Alinea International también compartió acerca de un reciente intercambio internacional realizado en Canadá, en el que mujeres indígenas de Perú, Ecuador y Bolivia se reunieron con representantes de las Primeras Naciones de Canadá y con líderes comunitarios de África para intercambiar experiencias sobre gobernanza ambiental participativa, reconciliación, liderazgo de las mujeres y conservación de humedales. Este intercambio fortaleció capacidades, amplió las redes de colaboración y generó aprendizajes valiosos que actualmente están siendo incorporados en la implementación del proyecto.

La participación de Alinea International en la Cuarta Reunión de los Socios de la Iniciativa Global sobre las Turberas reafirma el compromiso de la organización con un enfoque de conservación basado en derechos, que promueve la inclusión, el liderazgo comunitario y el reconocimiento del papel fundamental que desempeñan los pueblos indígenas en el cuidado de sus territorios. A través del proyecto Mujeres Guardianas de la Biodiversidad, Alinea International continúa fortaleciendo capacidades locales, impulsando alianzas estratégicas y apoyando soluciones lideradas por las propias comunidades para proteger algunos de los ecosistemas de humedales más valiosos del mundo.

Alinea International’s Women as Guardians project showcases its experience at the Global Peatlands Summit

Lima, Peru, July 2026. The leadership of Indigenous women in the conservation of high Andean wetlands was one of the key messages presented by Alinea International during the Fourth Meeting of the Partners of the Global Peatlands Initiative (GPI), held from June 30 to July 4 in Lima and Loreto, Peru. Organized by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and Peru’s Ministry of the Environment (MINAM), the event brought together government representatives, Indigenous Peoples, international organizations, research institutions, and technical experts to share knowledge and lessons learned on the conservation and sustainable management of peatlands which are key ecosystems for traditional livelihoods, biodiversity conservation, water security, and climate action.

Alinea International was represented by Eng. Marcelita Ponce de León, Regional Field Manager, and Biol. Yenny Ihue, Implementation Coordinator in Arequipa (Peru) for the Women Guardians of Biodiversity and Climate Resilience in Bofedales and Peatland Landscapes project. Funded by Global Affairs Canada, the initiative is being implemented from 2024 to 2029 across strategic Ramsar Sites in Bolivia, Ecuador, and Peru, with the goal of strengthening Indigenous women’s leadership in the conservation and governance of these globally important wetlands.

As part of the technical programme, Marcelita Ponce de León served as a panelist in the sessions “The Role of Indigenous Peoples and Their Communities” and “Community Management and Indigenous Co-management.” She shared the project’s experience alongside representatives from the Government of Colombia, Peru’s National Service of Natural Protected Areas (SERNANP), the Instituto del Bien Común (IBC), and The Nature Conservancy (TNC). Together, the panel highlighted how the active participation of Indigenous Peoples and local communities is essential for the long-term conservation of peatlands and other wetlands of global importance.

During her presentation, Ponce de Leon highlighted that the project promotes a participatory approach to environmental governance that centers Indigenous women as leaders, right holders, and custodians of ecological knowledge. Through the co-production of knowledge, the strengthening of intercultural dialogue, and a commitment to Indigenous and territorial rights, the project supports locally driven efforts to protect and care for bofedales and other highland wetlands. In doing so, it recognizes and values the longstanding stewardship practices of Indigenous People and local communities, whose knowledge and relationships with these territories are essential to their conservation and climate action.

“Peatland conservation cannot be understood without the people who have protected these ecosystems for generations. Strengthening the leadership of Indigenous women also means strengthening climate resilience, territorial governance, and the future of these vital ecosystems.”

The presentation also underscored that conservation efforts are most effective when they are community-led and grounded in the cultural identities, languages, governance systems and knowledge. Guided by this approach, the project has adopted inclusive and participatory methodologies that foster the engagement of women across generations and create ethical spaces for their involvement without overburden them. The presentation further reflected on key lessons form the first two years of implementation remarking the cultivation of dialogue based on mutual respect and learning, and the weaving together of scientific and Indigenous knowledge systems to support their role and the sustainable governance of the wetlands. It also highlighted that climate change resilience and conservation requires not only recognition of Indigenous Peoples’ and local communities’ rights, knowledge and contributions, but also their equitable participation in the social, economic, and environmental benefits derived from conservation efforts.

Alinea International also shared insights from a recent international exchange held in Canada, where Indigenous women from Peru, Ecuador, and Bolivia met with representatives of Canada’s First Nations and community leaders from Africa to exchange experiences on participatory environmental governance, reconciliation, women’s leadership, and wetland conservation. The exchange strengthened participants’ capacities, expanded collaboration networks, and generated valuable lessons that are now being integrated into the implementation of the project.

Alinea International’s participation in the Fourth Meeting of the Global Peatlands Initiative Partners reaffirms the organization’s commitment to a rights-based approach to conservation that promotes inclusion, community leadership, and Indigenous stewardship. Through the Women Guardians of Biodiversity project, Alinea International continues to build local capacities, foster strategic partnerships, and support community-led solutions to protect some of the world’s most valuable wetland ecosystems.