22 February 2013: The UN Collaborative Programme on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation in Developing Countries (UN-REDD) has released the final working version of its Guidelines on Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC).

Recognizing that seeking FPIC is a key component of effective stakeholder participation, UN-REDD engaged in two years of international and regional consultations, analysis, pilot programming and reviews in order to clarify issues concerning FPIC as they relate to REDD+.

The Guidelines define FPIC and provide an overview of the UN-REDD FPIC policy with regard to FPIC requirements during national programme planning and document preparation, readiness and implementation. The guidelines further discuss the operational framework for seeking FPIC and issues related to national-level grievance mechanisms.

Finally the Guidelines propose steps for seeking FPIC in REDD+ including: identifying indigenous peoples and local communities with land and/or use rights; identifying representative institutions; carrying out participatory consultations; negotiating the process; and drafting and signing the agreement. Throughout the entire process, the Guidelines stress the need to seek and check agreement from the community for a REDD+ project. [Publication: UN-REDD Guidelines on Free, Prior and Informed Consent]