Social aspects of the Pilot Project for Jurisdictional Certification of the Ecuadorian Amazon: a preliminary review

 

This document reports the main findings and lessons arising from the approach and implementation of social aspects in the pilot project for the Jurisdictional Certification of the Ecuadorian Amazon (CJAE). This review places an emphasis on the rights to land and resources; participation; Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC); as well as the

established governance systems, monitoring and verification. 

 

Download the review in English (also available in Spanish)

This research focused on the CJAE case in Ecuador is part of a broader review process carried out by the Forest Peoples Programme (FPP) looking at pilot projects in Seruyan, Kalimantan province in Indonesia, and in Sabah in Malaysia, with the aim of making inputs to the construction of RSPO Jurisdictional Certification from a rights-based perspective.

The RSPO certification process in Ecuador formally began in 2017 with the signing of a memorandum of understanding between stakeholders in the public and private sectors and civil society. However, it was not until 2019, following a preparation process, that actions finally began to be implemented under the CJAE pilot process.

Given that this pilot initiative does not have a long history, this research has attempted to collect the lessons arising from the available plans and procedures. It complements this information with perceptions and points of view from various stakeholders regarding the project’s process and operation.

It must also be highlighted that many of the interviewees were unaware of this initiative, which is why this review has sought to gather information from them to shape the development of the pilot project. In view of the project’s short trajectory, the conclusions, findings and preliminary analysis are based on these interviews and the little documentation available at the time when the report was due to be completed at the end of 2019