The Hummingbird Effect on Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC)
- Wildlife Works
- May 12
- 2 min read
Updated: May 14
Written by Javier Mancera, Wildlife Works Director of Community Engagement
Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) is the right of Indigenous Peoples and local communities to give or withhold approval for projects that may affect their lands, resources, or livelihoods. When a community must decide on a project or initiative that could impact them for years, viewing the process of Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) as a single event oversimplifies its power and deeper purpose. FPIC is more than just a safeguard for communities’ rights—when integrated as an ongoing participatory process throughout a project’s lifecycle, it fosters trust, strengthens cooperation, and maximizes social benefits.
In the context of community-driven climate change projects, FPIC should be seen as a continuous, evolving process rather than a fixed, one-time occurrence. It thrives on information exchange and is shaped by the relationships between diverse stakeholders—each with unique expectations, interests, and levels of engagement. Like the agile flight of a hummingbird, the FPIC process moves unpredictably, adapting to shifting social dynamics and project conditions.
The trajectory of FPIC within a project is not linear; it can shift direction, accelerate, slow down, or even reverse based on the flow of information and changing local circumstances. As it unfolds, FPIC connects stakeholders to key moments in consultation and participation, anchoring them through dialogue and collective decision-making.
By allowing FPIC to develop organically—adapting to local rhythms, traditions, leadership changes, and communication protocols—it becomes a truly human-centered process. The collective effort to create spaces for discussion, debate, and consensus not only strengthens project cohesion but also generates lasting value for all involved.
