Earlier this year, the “Climate Protection Through Avoided Deforestation” (CliPAD) project took a significant step towards implementing the Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) process in Oudomxay, Luang Namtha and Bokeo provinces of Laos. FPIC ensures that communities voluntarily consent to project activities after thorough consultations. Inclusive training sessions were held for FPIC teams from various organizations, with 65 women and 163 men participating.
The training aimed to strengthen FPIC teams by providing detailed information about project policies and guidelines and the implementation approach. The teams can now carry this knowledge to the districts. Three pilot villages, home to ethnic groups such as Khamu, Leu, Ho, and Lao, were selected to be the first to give their consent to the new project phase, with active community participation in the consultation meetings.
Today, FPIC district teams have completed consultations in 77 villages and plan to finish by July 2024. Follow-up activities, including Participatory Land Use Planning, Sustainable Agricultural Practices, and Village Forest Management Planning, will begin after completing the FPIC process. This not only ensures social acceptance but also fosters trust and cooperation between stakeholders and communities.
Date
May 2024
Location
Provinces of Oudomxay, Luang Namtha and Bokeo in Lao PDR
Contact Person
