Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) – An indigenous peoples’ right and a good practice for local communities

INTERNATIONAL TRAINING ON FREE, PRIOR AND INFORMED CONSENT (FPIC) – AN INDIGENOUS PEOPLES’ RIGHT AND A GOOD PRACTICE FOR LOCAL COMMUNITIES
COURSE BACKGROUND

When development projects impact indigenous peoples and local communities, their rights are often overlooked. A critical principle for ensuring fair and respectful engagement is Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC). However, many project developers and implementers lack the practical knowledge to effectively apply FPIC throughout a project’s lifecycle, leading to conflicts and undermining sustainable outcomes.

ECAS Institute recognizes FPIC as a fundamental right for indigenous peoples and a crucial best practice for all local communities. We aim to bridge the gap between FPIC principles and real-world application. This course will equip professionals with the step-by-step guidance needed to operationalize FPIC in their projects.

This training is designed to provide practical skills for implementing FPIC, ensuring respectful and ethical engagement with affected communities. It will cover the core concepts, regulatory frameworks, and a detailed six-step process, including communication, mapping, and monitoring. By mastering FPIC, participants can build trust, avoid disputes, and achieve more equitable and sustainable project results.

COURSE OBJECTIVES OF THE TRAINING

Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to:

  1. Define and explain what Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) is.
  2. Understand the regulatory framework and the importance of indigenous peoples’ rights in the context of FPIC.
  3. Build the required skills to seek FPIC and mainstream it through each phase of the project cycle.
  4. Learn how to roll out each of the steps of the FPIC process.
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

This course focuses on how to practically operationalize the indigenous peoples’ right to Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) throughout all stages of the project cycle. The course describes each of the recommended six steps of the process and the related actions to be undertaken. You will learn:

  • What is Free, Prior, and Informed Consent.
  • Understand the regulatory framework and the importance of indigenous peoples’ rights.
  • Build the required skills to seek FPIC and mainstream it through each phase of the project cycle.
  • How to roll out each of the steps of the FPIC process.
DURATION AND PROGRAM

This is a structured training course, consisting of 8 lessons. The program is designed to provide practical, step-by-step guidance on operationalizing Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) throughout the project cycle. The detailed program schedule, including specific session timings, practical exercises, and case study discussions, will be communicated prior to the training commencement.

TARGET PARTICIPANTS

The course is primarily intended for professionals directly engaged in the development and implementation of projects involving indigenous peoples. In particular, the following individuals would particularly benefit from taking the course:

  • Project managers;
  • Project designers;
  • Trainers;
  • Social mobilizers.
TRAINING MODULES

The course consists of 8 detailed lessons, guiding participants through the practical application of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) across the project lifecycle:

No Module Details
1. Fundamentals of Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) This module introduces the core concept of FPIC, its historical context, ethical foundations, and its recognition as an indigenous peoples’ right.

  • Definition and core principles of FPIC (Free, Prior, Informed, Consent).
  • Historical context and evolution of FPIC.
  • Ethical and human rights basis for FPIC.
  • FPIC as a right for indigenous peoples and a good practice for local communities.
2. Identifying Indigenous Peoples Concerned and Their Representatives This module focuses on the crucial initial steps of identifying the indigenous peoples potentially affected by a project and recognizing their legitimate representatives for FPIC processes.

  • Criteria for identifying indigenous peoples and affected communities.
  • Understanding diverse community structures and traditional leadership.
  • Recognizing legitimate and representative spokespersons and decision-making bodies.
  • Challenges in identification and engagement.
3. Conduct Participatory Mapping This module covers the practical technique of participatory mapping as a tool to understand the land use, resources, and cultural territories of indigenous peoples, essential for informing the FPIC process.

  • Introduction to participatory mapping methods and tools.
  • Importance of mapping traditional lands, lands and territories, and resources.
  • Using mapping to understand potential project impacts and community concerns.
  • Ensuring community ownership and validation of maps.
4. Preparing a Participatory Communication Plan This module guides participants in developing an inclusive and effective communication strategy to ensure information is provided to indigenous peoples in a culturally appropriate, accessible, and understandable manner throughout the FPIC process.

  • Principles of effective and culturally appropriate communication for FPIC.
  • Assessing community information needs and preferred communication channels.
  • Designing and adapting communication materials (language, visuals, formats).
  • Strategies for ensuring information is genuinely “informed” and understood.
5.
 Reaching Consent This module delves into the critical phase of negotiation and decision-making, exploring strategies for achieving genuine consent based on mutual respect and shared understanding.

  • The process of negotiation and dialogue in FPIC.
  • Establishing timelines and clear decision-making processes.
  • Addressing concerns, mitigating risks, and identifying benefits.
  • Documenting consent (or non-consent) and agreements.
  • Strategies for managing disagreements and conflict resolution.
6. Conducting Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation This module focuses on involving indigenous peoples in the ongoing monitoring and evaluation of project impacts and FPIC adherence, ensuring their perspectives are continuously integrated.

  • Why ongoing monitoring is crucial for FPIC.
  • Methods for involving communities in monitoring project implementation and impacts.
  • Developing community-driven indicators for success.
  • Establishing feedback mechanisms for adaptive management
7. Documenting Lessons Learned and Achievements This module emphasizes the importance of systematically documenting the FPIC process, including successes, challenges, and lessons learned, to inform future projects and best practices.

  • Importance of thorough documentation throughout the FPIC process.
  • Methods for recording decisions, agreements, and community input.
  • Analyzing successes and challenges for future learning.
  • Reporting and sharing lessons learned with internal and external stakeholders.
8. Reflecting FPIC in Your Organization This final module encourages participants to consider how the principles and practices of FPIC can be institutionalized and integrated into their organization’s policies, procedures, and culture.

  • Integrating FPIC principles into organizational policies, guidelines, and procedures.
  • Building internal capacity and training staff on FPIC.
  • Developing an organizational culture that respects indigenous peoples’ rights.
  • Ensuring accountability and continuous improvement in FPIC application.
TRAINING STYLE

The modules will be taught through PowerPoint presentations, and lectures and will include a case study/field visit, breakout sessions, case studies and other interactive discussion components.

The course will also include a few guest speakers, both in person and via Zoom and other online learning platforms for overseas speakers. This provides useful real-world insights alongside the more theoretical aspects of the course.

The conference faculty shall consist of experienced decision makers, as well as practitioners and representatives from established educational and research institutions active around climate change, engineering and international development. Throughout the course, theoretical presentation of concepts will be moderated and more group discussions and plenary engagements will be optimized. PowerPoint presentations will be made by facilitators and resource persons, to highlight key concepts before embarking on group work.

GENERAL NOTES
  • Training manuals and additional reference materials are provided to the participants.
  • Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be issued with a certificate.
  • We can also do this as a tailor-made course to meet organization-wide needs. Contact us to find out more: info@ecasiafrica.org.
  • Payment should be sent to our bank account before the start of training and proof of payment sent to: info@ecasiafrica.org.
ABOUT ECAS INSTITUTE

The ECAS Institute designs and delivers independent and targeted training, research, and consulting services. Our work focusses on climate change and resilience building, carbon markets, renewable energy, nature-based solution, biodiversity conservation, agriculture and food systems, We are located in Nairobi Kenya and work across the African region. We have implemented training and research assignments in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, South Sudan, Somalia, Malawi, Rwanda, Congo, and South Africa. Globally, we have supported our partners from the UK, Denmark, Italy, Sweden, Germany, and USA.

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