WILDLIFE WORKS’ APPROACH TO Free, Prior and Informed ConsenT (FPIC)
Wildlife Works' current Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) implementation framework represents the guiding principles we strive to uphold in our work. Due to the complexities of project development in diverse environments, ranging from deforestation risks to political dynamics and land tenure landscape, we exercise sound judgment and adaptability in applying these principles to uphold equity in our partnerships.
Our ultimate goal remains steadfast: to establish highly successful partnerships that enable co-creation founded on trust building, mutual agreement and consent, executed respectfully and effectively throughout the lifetime of the project.
THE CONTINUOUS, NON-LINEAR FPIC CYCLE
For Wildlife Works, FPIC is not a single moment in time or a linear process. It’s a living, breathing process, an ever-changing rhythm of dialogue, trust, and collective will. Like the hummingbird’s flight, it moves fluidly, shifting direction with the currents of community needs, information flows, and evolving relationships. When embraced as an ongoing journey rather than a fixed event, FPIC fosters deep cooperation, weaving stakeholders into the fabric of decision-making. It is not just consent, it is connection, adaptation, and the heart of community-driven change. Read more about the FPIC hummingbird effect.
PROJECT PARTNERSHIP MODEL:
CONTINUOUS COMMUNITY CONSENT, FEEDBACK AND COMMUNICATION
STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT:
STAKEHOLDER IDENTIFICATION AND CULTURAL EXCHANGE
PRINCIPLES
Build relationships founded in trust through cultural and interpersonal exchange to understand and respect the communities' culture, traditions and laws.
IDENTIFY
Identify all landowners, rights and customary use holders and other stakeholders who would be impacted by the conservation project.
Identity national legal requirements and guidelines for engagement to adhere to.
UNDERSTAND
Develop a shared understanding of local context and cultural gaps through pre-consultation cultural exchange meetings.
Map customary lands and holders of land rights.
Document and respect traditional or local knowledge within the communities, including existing development plans.
Respect existing customary decision-making, mediation, and conflict resolution, as well as any unofficial leaders or influencers who are important in community decision-making.
BRIDGE THE GAPS
Bridge understanding on all rights, resources, lands and territories based on customary law through participatory mapping.
If deemed necessary, include assessment of land tenure or verification of the status of the land.
Ensure meaningful participation of women and marginalized or vulnerable groups whilst conforming to the local cultures and norms.
VALIDATE
Validate with the community that they have established, through customary decision-making mechanisms, individuals or institutions that will represent them throughout the FPIC process.
WILDLIFE WORKS BEST PRACTICES IN ACTION
FPIC as the Foundation of Long-Term Partnership in Brazilian REDD+ Projects
ESTABLISH EQUITABLE ACCESS TO INFORMATION
PRINCIPLES
Work with community stakeholders to co-create and share the information needed for their informed decisions on starting and shaping a REDD+ project.
EQUALIZE ACCESS TO INFORMATION
Deliver and facilitate transparent, complete and equal access to information for all stakeholders on the proposed REDD+ process and expectations, ensuring it is provided or co-designed in the appropriate and requested forms to all segments of the community.
Use debiased surveys to confirm that the community feels confident in its technical capacity to effectively participate in the FPIC process.
Co-create additional trainings or workshops if necessary.
ESTABLISH SHARED UNDERSTANDING
Affirm with the community that cross-cultural understanding exists for a fair consultation process.
Use the community’s established governance structures for consent to engage in the FPIC process
Carefully manage cross-communications to establish shared agreements between the government and community.
Facilitate FPIC to happen both vertically (government to community levels) and horizontally (within and amongst communities).
VALIDATE
Interview community members using debiasing techniques and facilitate self-assessment surveys to confirm they felt prepared to participate effectively.
WILDLIFE WORKS BEST PRACTICES IN ACTION
The Use of Play in Learning and Participating in REDD+
ENABLE CO-CREATED PROCESSES AND AGREEMENTS
PRINCIPLES
Build equitable partnerships in developing the process and outcomes.
FOSTER TRANSPARENCY
Document, share and make all steps, activities and decisions accessible to the community and stakeholders.
Support transparent communication between community representatives and all community members. This may be facilitated through relevant community organizations and associations.
FACILITATE EQUITABLE DECISION-MAKING
Uphold local governance and democratic processes, while strengthening existing governance structures, inline with national laws and human rights safeguards.
Collaborate to design the engagement and decision-making process with Indigenous Peoples, local communities and other rights holders that will be implemented at each stage, throughout the life of the project.
BUILD CAPACITY & PARTNERSHIP
Engage support organizations (e.g., cultural facilitators, legal and financial advisors) and establish a community negotiation committee as needed. When appropriate or upon request, finance expertise development and knowledge-sharing initiatives.
Strengthen local decision-making systems or institutions through the formation or reinforcement of local committees, always ensuring meaningful participation by women and marginalized groups.
Utilize the community’s Theory of Change process as the foundation of equitable project partnership.
VALIDATE
Interview community members using debiasing techniques and facilitate self-assessment surveys to confirm they felt prepared to participate effectively.
WILDLIFE WORKS BEST PRACTICES IN ACTION
Communities Take the Lead in Forest Conservation using the “Theory of Change” Framework
TRANSPARENT, INCLUSIVE COMMUNICATIONS
PRINCIPLES
Coming to an agreement follows clear protocols for inclusive, equitable communication and negotiations and cross-stakeholder validations.
DISTRIBUTE
Create open communication, and widely disseminate culturally appropriate materials, through various channels accessible to all groups, including those marginalized.
FOSTER COLLECTIVE ACTION
Respect the consensus process as an iterative, incorporating methods to learn from all FPIC activities.
Follow the community-led consensus process based on their needs, with sufficient feedback loops, flexibility, and accountability.
Allow adequate time for discussion, feedback and consensus activities.
AGREE & SIGN
Confirm community consent for negotiation on project approval, implementation, and revenue sharing, informed by impact evaluation (SBIA) results.
Co-design the negotiation and validation of the REDD+ project agreement, using international and local languages as jointly agreed.
VALIDATE
Confirm with communities:
- The decision was taken without any coercion.
- The agreement was negotiated in accordance with the agreed-on process.
- They understand their rights, including the right to say no.
- They feel that they had sufficient institutional and technical capacity to negotiate the agreement.
- They considered the FPIC process to be culturally appropriate and inclusive of all community members.
- All community members understand all aspects of the negotiated agreement and its implications.
- They are fully aware of the risks, responsibilities, and obligations that accompany the execution of the agreements.
WILDLIFE WORKS BEST PRACTICES IN ACTION
FPIC at the Gerbang Barito REDD+ Project in Indonesia
MONITORING & FEEDBACK FOR CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT
PRINCIPLES
Continuous feedback and improvement
CREATE INDEPENDENT OVERSIGHT
Establish a community-led, independent process to monitor project implementation and manage intra community agreements and mediation. Ensure the community’s continuous consent throughout the lifetime of the project.
ESTABLISH GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES
Agree with the community on culturally appropriate feedback, arbitration, and monitoring processes for implemented agreements.
Establish an accessible grievance mechanism for reporting anonymous feedback.
FACILITATE OPEN DIALOG
Establish a mechanism for facilitating ongoing, open and two-way dialogue between the community and the project developer so that FPIC is a continuous process.
WILDLIFE WORKS BEST PRACTICES IN ACTION
Steering the Ship of Sustainable Development: Community Governance at the Kasigau Corridor REDD+ Project