For almost a decade now, the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF) has been supporting efforts to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD+), in the global fight against climate change. A key component of this work has been to ensure the full and effective participation of indigenous peoples (IPs) and civil society organizations (CSOs) in REDD+ activities. One of the most successful FCPF initiatives on this front has been its Capacity Building Program for Forest-Dependent Indigenous Peoples and Southern Civil Society Organizations.Since 2009, the Capacity Building Program (CBP) has helped dozens of projects engage with local communities across Africa, Asia Pacific and Latin America and the Caribbean. The aim has been to provide forest-dependent IPs, other forest dwellers (OFDs) and southern civil society organizations with information, knowledge and awareness to enhance their understanding of REDD+, and by extension their ability to engage more meaningfully in the implementation of REDD+ readiness activities. With $1.9 million in funding for 27 projects, Phase 1 of the CBP wrapped up in June 2016. The second phase began in July 2016 and will end June 30, 2018. This report presents the results of activities implemented under the first phase of the CBP, which supported seven projects in Africa, six in Asia Pacific and 14 in Latin America and the Caribbean. Based on reports from participating organizations of the CBP, this report highlights key examples that illustrate how the Program’s objectives were met.
Innovative CBP projects helped to enhance the understanding of climate change and REDD+ among forest-dependent IPs, OFDs, and southern CSOs, and improve their participation in the preparation of REDD+ strategies, and in the implementation of REDD+ programs. CBP projects also sought to enhance the participation of IPs and local communities in international discussions on the role of REDD+ in climate change mitigation. This work brought about a greater awareness and understanding of the views of forest-dependent IPs, OFDs and southern CSOs related to REDD+ and the FCPF.