4 December 2014: Reflecting on the important role of indigenous peoples and local communities in preserving forests, a World Bank feature story explores examples of community participation in REDD+ projects in Mexico, Nicaragua and Peru.

In Mexico, the World Bank highlights its partnership with the National Forestry Commission (CONAFOR) to expand the community forest management system, which reflects the communal management of forests in a majority of the country. The partnership is intended to further engage indigenous peoples and local communities in decision-making on REDD+ and support equitable benefit-sharing.

Efforts to engage local communities are also in place in Peru where the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF) and the Forest Investment Program (FIP) are supporting the Government of Peru in the convening of workshops, round-tables and other methods of engagement that have, to date, involved over a thousand stakeholders.

Finally, in Nicaragua, local engagement is facilitated through a participatory platform within the country’s forestry strategy. The platform coordinates local communities as well as sub-national bodies in decision-making and policy discussions. [World Bank Feature Story]