PORTUGUESE version of Indigenous Peoples Sustainable Self-Determined Development (IPSSDD): A Training Course for Community Trainers 

This training course for community trainers was conceptualized to answer the particular needs of indigenous communities as they tighten their framework for development, based on their self-determination, by providing venues for trainers to come and learn together. First piloted among Tebtebba partners in October 2011, the course has since been shared by the partners with their respective communities (Nicaragua, Africa Tanzania, Kenya, and Nepal). This was also tested with global partners in Chiangmai, Thailand on July 14, 2013. During the community pilot tests, the partner facilitators were able to adjust the course guide into localized modules using their local languages and take into consideration the particular needs of the community.

With the establishment of the ELATIA Indigenous Peoples’ Training Institute in 2018, this training course underwent further review and revision with additional inputs coming from
key individuals in the ELATIA Partnership. Key contents, messages, and methodologies are thus enriched.

After the series of pilot tests and a facilitators’ training in 2019, the lessons that were learned enriched this framework. Given the affirmative results of the community trainings
on the integrated holistic approach, this training course will further be used and improved based on the practices and actual experiences of indigenous communities on the ground.

SPANISH version of Indigenous Peoples Sustainable Self-Determined Development (IPSSDD): A Training Course for Community Trainers 

This training course for community trainers was conceptualized to answer the particular needs of indigenous communities as they tighten their framework for development, based on their self-determination, by providing venues for trainers to come and learn together. First piloted among Tebtebba partners in October 2011, the course has since been shared by the partners with their respective communities (Nicaragua, Africa Tanzania, Kenya, and Nepal). This was also tested with global partners in Chiangmai, Thailand on July 14, 2013. During the community pilot tests, the partner facilitators were able to adjust the course guide into localized modules using their local languages and take into consideration the particular needs of the community.

With the establishment of the ELATIA Indigenous Peoples’ Training Institute in 2018, this training course underwent further review and revision with additional inputs coming from
key individuals in the ELATIA Partnership. Key contents, messages, and methodologies are thus enriched.

After the series of pilot tests and a facilitators’ training in 2019, the lessons that were learned enriched this framework. Given the affirmative results of the community trainings
on the integrated holistic approach, this training course will further be used and improved based on the practices and actual experiences of indigenous communities on the ground.

This training course for community trainers was conceptualized to answer the particular needs of indigenous communities as they tighten their framework for development, based on their self-determination, by providing venues for trainers to come and learn together. First piloted among Tebtebba partners in October 2011, the course has since been shared by the partners with their respective communities (Nicaragua, Africa Tanzania, Kenya, and Nepal). This was also tested with global partners in Chiangmai, Thailand on July 14, 2013. During the community pilot tests, the partner facilitators were able to adjust the course guide into localized modules using their local languages and take into consideration the particular needs of the community.

With the establishment of the ELATIA Indigenous Peoples’ Training Institute in 2018, this training course underwent further review and revision with additional inputs coming from
key individuals in the ELATIA Partnership. Key contents, messages, and methodologies are thus enriched.

After the series of pilot tests and a facilitators’ training in 2019, the lessons that were learned enriched this framework. Given the affirmative results of the community trainings
on the integrated holistic approach, this training course will further be used and improved based on the practices and actual experiences of indigenous communities on the ground.

The continuing endeavor to strengthen the indigenous peoples and their communities toward a more holistic approach to development inspired various initiatives to implement programs meant to increase the capacities of indigenous leaders especially the second-generation ones. One of these is the establishment of the ELATIA Indigenous Peoples’ Training Institute in 2018 that took off from earlier training programs not only by Tebtebba but by other partner institutions, as well. Resource materials and training guides for both trainers and facilitators have been developed and produced by indigenous peoples themselves for the use of the Training Institute. This simple guide for facilitation of trainings, with indigenous learners as participants, can greatly aid trainers and facilitators.

This guide will enhance the skills of facilitators, trainers, and resource persons as they aim to meet, respond and, if necessary, adapt to the contexts of their respective audience. The learners of the trainings will consist of indigenous peoples with a broad spectrum and depth of knowledge, skills, expertise, and limitations.

This guide also contains basic principles in effective facilitation, the qualities of an effective facilitator, and helpful tips in achieving a successful and fulfilling learning experience. This guide is enriched with experiences from conducting trainings and workshops in indigenous communities together with various partners.

Indigenous peoples (IPs) and other forest dependent communities have been the inherent rights holders and custodians of the forests and all the natural resources therein. They have managed, protected and used the forest and natural resources sustainably for generations using their traditional knowledge systems and practices and customary governance long before the UNFCCC considered REDD+ as a climate change mitigation measure.

The forest and its natural resources are the subject of REDD+. IPs have and continue to depend on the forests for social and economic livelihoods, and cultural and spiritual well-being. With no recognition of their contributions to sustainable use and management of forest and its natural resources on their customary lands and territories for decades, they asserted their right to participate fully and effectively in REDD+. They intimated governments, donors and other stakeholders that REDD+ will fail without the full and effective engagement of IPs and other forest communities.

The Conference of Parties (COP) of the UNFCCC adopted decisions that respect and recognize IP rights and the contributions of IPs and forest dependent communities in enhancing traditional knowledge systems and sustainable forest management and to support their full and effective participation in REDD+.

TRAINING OBJECTIVES

This manual aims to improve the knowledge of IPs and forest communities on REDD+, introduce them to forest carbon measurement and monitoring and guide them to transfer the knowledge primarily to IPs and forest communities.

It is intended for community facilitators who are indigenous peoples and/or forest dwellers who have basic knowledge and understanding on climate change including REDD+. The participation of women and youth and gender balance among participants is highly recommended. This training manual can also serve as reference for IPs and forest dwellers who:

• are currently conducting Community-based Monitoring and Information Systems (CBMIS) and want to include forest carbon monitoring;
• are working in the area of forestry and climate change who want to understand forest carbon accounting in the context of REDD+;
• want to contribute ground data to their national government for their National Forest Monitoring System (NFMS) or verify data of their NFMS;
• and others who might find this manual useful.

At the end of the course, participants should have enhanced understanding and are enabled to deliver trainings on the following: 

• Indigenous Peoples and REDD+;
• Role of participatory carbon monitoring (PCM) in REDD+;
• Basis of forest carbon accounting;
• Setting up field plots to collect information from the forest;
• Forest measurements required for estimating all carbon pools;
• Calculations used to estimate forest carbon stocks and uncertainty from the field measurements; and
• Quality assurance and quality control.

CBMIS is a process where indigenous peoples are able to generate information for the analysis, monitoring, and use of the community. It is geared towards community organizing, community empowerment and the realization of indigenous peoples’ sustainable, self-determined development.

Indigenous Peoples' Sustainable, Self-Determined Development (IPSSDD) puts indigenous peoples’ rights in the center of development and ensures protection and management of natural resources, support for traditional livelihoods, respect for cultural diversity and recognition of the vital role of indigenous women and youth.

The remaining forests in many developing countries also happen to be part of the ancestral domain of indigenous peoples. These forests have been maintained and managed by indigenous peoples...through their indigenous knowledge, systems and practices. The extent to which the forests and biodiversity are maintained are, therefore, determined by the degree of indigenous peoples’ control over their land and resources.