For almost a decade now, the World Bank’s Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF) has been supporting efforts to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD ), in the global fight against climate change. A key component of this work has been to ensure the full and effective participation of indigenous peoples and civil society organizations in REDD activities. One of the most successful FCPF initiatives on this front has been its Capacity Building Program for Forest-Dependent Indigenous Peoples and Southern Civil Society Organizations. Since 2009, the Capacity Building Program (CBP) has helped dozens of projects engage with local communities across Africa, the Asia Pacific and Latin America, and the Caribbean. The aim has been to provide forest-dependent IPs, other forest dwellers, and southern civil society organizations with information, knowledge, and awareness to enhance their understanding of REDD, and by extension their ability to engage more meaningfully in the implementation of REDD readiness activities. With $1.9 million in funding for 27 projects, Phase 1 of the CBP wrapped up in June 2016. The second phase began in July 2016 and will end on June 30, 2018. This report presents the results of activities implemented under the first phase of the CBP, which supported seven projects in Africa, six in the Asia Pacific, and 14 in Latin America and the Caribbean. Based on reports from participating organizations of the CBP, this report highlights key examples.
