November 2016

This case study focuses on…a forest conservation project developed by private sector investors in partnership with the NGO Fauna & Flora International under the international REDD+ framework…During these preparatory phases of the project…[o]ne important issue related to the implications on community livelihoods for proceeding with the REDD+ project...The only mechanisms that had actually been used by communities…were project-based consultation and informed consent processes, together with informal grievance channels associated with the project development process. International grievance mechanisms linked to project funders were available, but had not been utilised…This case offers a number of constructive lessons regarding how project-level consultation and grievance handling can support community rights. However, it also highlights the limits of what can be achieved…[T]he project was not in the end able to go ahead on the terms to which communities expressed their consent. The project became stalled for an extended period and was ultimately discontinued…