Community guidelines for accessing forestry voluntary carbon ... - FAO

Chapter 2: VCM project types and standards
Certified projects cover over 5 000 smallholders and community groups,
a total of 22 771 ha and have resulted in over USD 5 million of funds
being channeled to the forest owners.
Forest managers may consider using Plan Vivo when they operate in
developing countries to promote sustainable rural livelihoods; plan
to work with small-scale producers to deliver ecosystem services,
specifically long-term carbon sequestration; and wish to promote the
protection and/or planting of native tree species.
According to Plan Vivo, land-use change initiatives will only succeed and
have permanent impacts where they meet local needs. The Plan Vivo
System ensures livelihood needs are built into the project design, and
that local income sources are diversified to reduce poverty and tackle
the root causes of deforestation and degradation. Supporters of the
projects can be confident that funds will reach the grassroots level.
Projects are monitored to check that an equitable proportion of project
finance reaches communities, and that funds being held in trust are
secure.
The Plan Vivo System and Standard are designed to be simple where
possible, in order to ensure that they are accessible to developing
country organizations. It is important for the system to achieve a
balance between robust technical requirements and flexible, minimum
standards that ensure projects can improve as they develop and scaleup.
Plan Vivo projects also promote the restoration of native ecosystems,
improve biodiversity and protect watersheds.
Procedures
The steps towards accreditation under Plan Vivo are as follows:
1. Submit the Project Idea Note (PIN) to the Plan Vivo organization for
review. The PIN defines the main elements of a proposed project
and how it will contribute to sustainable livelihoods.
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