Countries engaging in REDD+ are confronted with the need for technical and functional competencies to prepare, implement and benefit from REDD+. The UN-REDD Programme, through UNEP, is contributing to capacity needs assessments and has launched parallel studies in Asia and Africa aimed at fostering a better understanding of what countries require to move forward with REDD+.

Women working in a tree nursery, Bangladesh Credits: Roberto Faidutti

The Africa Study is being led by the African Network for Agriculture, Agroforestry and Natural Resources Education (ANAFE).  Its conceptual framework addresses the issues around institutional arrangements, leadership, knowledge and accountability.    The study focuses on the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Kenya and Tanzania and potential teams from these countries came together in Nairobi in September to discuss a feasible methodology and framework to assess the entities that provide information, learning events and processes on REDD+.  The study will assess gaps in terms of core technical competencies needed for REDD, as well as the issues related to delivering these including quality and availability of data, infrastructure and enabling policy and institutional frameworks.
The Asia Study is being led by the Centre for People and Forests - RECOFTC in Cambodia, Indonesia, Philippines and Viet Nam.  Four national study teams are currently identifying and mapping the organizations involved in capacity building in each country. For the leading capacity building organizations in each country, data is being collected on the main capacity building themes they address, their skills and experience, the type of services they provide, their target beneficiaries and examples of best practice.  A next step will be to assess gaps and make recommendations related to strengthening and coordinating the actions of the various service providers.

Context
There are a number of issues developing countries and practitioners consider as they are getting ready for REDD+, such as how REDD+ can be included in integrated land use planning at various scales; what standards need to be adhered to; what benefit sharing mechanisms can be employed; how are trade-offs addressed whilst planning development objectives; what governance and legal frameworks are needed for REDD; and how can the multiple benefits from REDD+ be measured and valued.

In more than 40 developing countries, a myriad of initiatives and institutions have been rising to address capacity development needs.  Knowledge sharing and training has been provided by a range of actors at various levels including international NGOs to advance the understanding and practical needs for developing REDD+ at national and sub-national levels. Multilateral initiatives such as UN-REDD and FCPF embed capacity building within their programmes as a fundamental element.  Bilateral initiatives abound to prepare countries’ rise to the REDD+ challenge.

With the benefit of 2-3 years of REDD+ hindsight, it is an opportune time to contribute to a better understanding of the capacity building needs in terms of existing strengths and abilities as well as assessment of gaps based on a ‘desired standard and level’ of capacity and competencies. Training needs assessments are being carried out at the national level such as in countries like Tanzania and the Alliance for Global REDD+ Capacity (AGRC) also hopes to carry out further work.

The two studies will present preliminary findings at COP17 in Durban in December. For more information contact Wahida Patwa Shah.