Strengthening the REDD+ National Policy and its benefit-sharing programme in Ecuador

 

The project addresses key challenges in Ecuador’s National REDD+ Strategy implementation. This includes: unlocking critical financial flows, limited access to and understanding of financial mechanisms, insufficient stakeholder engagement, and governance issues, particularly regarding transparency and equitable benefit distribution to Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs), Afrodescendants (ADs) and other stakeholder groups. To support the effective strategy implementation, the project prioritises institutional capacity-building, equitable financial distribution, and fostering inclusive participation. 

The project seeks to strengthen Ecuador’s Ministry of Environment, Water, and Ecological Transition (MAATE) to operationalise a Benefit Sharing Plan (BSP), promoting transparency, inclusion, and gender equality. A key component will develop guidelines that integrate technical, social, and environmental criteria, emphasising IPLCs’ rights and participation in decision-making processes, in line with the Cancun safeguards and national regulations.

Capacity-building and experience-sharing sessions will empower IPLC and AD leaders and other stakeholders to ensure meaningful participation in future REDD+ decision-making.

Main countepart of this project is: Ministry of Environment, Water and Ecological Transition (MAATE)