Safeguard D: Full and effective participation of relevant stakeholders

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REDD+ activities ensure the full and effective participation of relevant stakeholders, in particular forest-dependent indigenous peoples and local communities.

  • Stakeholders are identified and mapped for all REDD+ strategies, plans and activities
  • Stakeholders including forest-dependent indigenous peoples, local communities, youth and minorities are consulted effectively in REDD+ strategies, plans and activities
  • Stakeholders including forest-dependent indigenous peoples, local communities, youth and minorities participate effectively in REDD+ strategies, plans and activities
  • Stakeholders participate in REDD+ strategies, plans and activities through legitimate and accountable representatives
  • Stakeholders have the information that they need about the REDD+ strategies, plans and activities to participate effectively
  • REDD+ strategies, plans and activities promote and enhance gender equality
  1. The following structures that provided platforms for engaging forestry stakeholders from government institutions, academia, CSOs, NGOs, indigenous people, private sector, cultural institutions, and individual experts ensured transparent and effective engagement of forestry stakeholders
    • REDD+ Steering Committee
    • National Technical Committee
    • Taskforces
  2. The REDD+ process involved establishment of and consultations with “Participatory” Structures at subnational levels (Districts) and for forest dependent people. Consultations were preceded by capacity building on issues of REDD+.
  3. REDD+ Process engaged a vibrant communication and outreach mechanisms by the REDD+ Secretariat and through print and audio media platforms. This effort included disclosure processes via websites, workshops /meeting and dissemination of published materials.
  4. The development and approval of REDD+ Strategy and implementation frameworks (BSA, FGRM, ESMF, SIS, etc.) were developed with sufficient consultations and inputs by stakeholders at national and subnational levels. The REDD+ Strategy was reviewed and approved through the stashed mechanisms, involving the Steering Committee and decisions making processes under the Lead ministry.
Relevant Ugandan policies, laws and regulations

There are a number of policies, laws and regulations that provide for effective participation of relevant stakeholders including:

  • Uganda National Forestry Policy (2001)
  • National Forestry and Tree Planting Act (2003)
  • The Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations (1998)
  • The National Environment Act (2019)

Forest sector co-ordination structures proposed under the Uganda Forestry Policy, 2001 provide for wide stakeholder participation and coordination across a wide range of stakeholders from all relevant sectors. These structures have representation from central government ministries involved in the forest sector, local governments, the private sector and civil society.

A national consultative forum provided for by the Uganda Forestry Policy, 2001 allows the public, international partners and all interested countries to contribute to a regular debate on the forest sector, to improve sector coordination and inform national priorities.

Existing government and non-governmental coordination structures are avenues through which effective stakeholder participation in REDD+ can be achieved. For example, the Policy Committee on Environment (PCE), and the National Climate Change Advisory Committee/Inter-ministerial technical committee on climate change should be used to ensure effective coordination of government agencies while the
Environment and Natural Resources Civil Society Organisations Network as well as the Uganda Forestry Working Group – a network of civil society organisations involved in forestry issues – can be used to ensure
effective participation of non-governmental actors.

Recommendations
  •  Enforce EIA regulations to  improve stakeholder participation in REDD+ activities