Institutional Mechanisms for REDD+ - Case Studies Working Paper

5.5 LESSONS LEARNED FROM THE KATINGAN REDD+ PROJECT
AND RUPES/RIVERCARE PROJECT
5.5.1 LEGAL AND POLICY FRAMEWORK FOR LAND TENURE AND ACCESS TO
BENEFITS
The two cases described above demonstrate that the choice of tenure mechanism has significant implications
for community access to benefits. In the case of HKm, the main benefit provided is secure long term rights
to the land and forest. This benefit is highly desirable for communities because it offers an opportunity for a
secure livelihood. Becoming a legal user of the land also creates opportunities to access NGO or government
sponsored forestry and agricultural programs, which may bring an additional set of benefits or incentives. The
RiverCare pilot program is one example of this approach, which could be extrapolated for REDD+. Since
communities hold the land rights, their participation is always voluntary.
On the other hand, the Katingan REDD+ project does not secure any formal rights for communities.
Instead, it provides long-term certainty and clarity regarding the land use. This certainty could be seen as
beneficial for communities, but only so long as they have access to adequate income generating opportunities
that are also consistent with forest conservation. Otherwise, the project could be seen as significantly limiting
their choices over the long-term. Once the ERC is granted, the communities have limited power to alter the
terms of the project or to negotiate the types and quantity of benefits that they will receive. Even if they agree
to the project terms at the outset (likely through a legal contract), it is probable that their development needs
and aspirations will change over the 95 year lifespan of the concession. At this stage it is unclear whether
communities will have any legal standing from which to renegotiate their rights and responsibilities under the
project over time.
5.5.2 GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
In both cases, intermediaries play a crucial role in realizing the project. In Sumberjaya, ICRAF–followed up
by the HKm Forum–empowered communities to work with local government to implement the HKm
program. They also provided the technical training and skills to establish RiverCare. In the Katingan project,
Yayasan Puter is helping to prepare the community for future negotiations and engagement with PT-RMU.
The heavy reliance on NGOs to play this intermediary role is a constraint to scaling up both approaches. In
both cases, the community members interviewed expressed a feeling that local government should play a
greater role in educating and supporting communities to improve their land management practices and to
identify opportunities for sustainable livelihoods.
The Sumberjaya and Katingan cases also revealed common insights regarding community level governance.
Elite capture of community resources was an identified risk in both communities, which was mitigated by
relatively close oversight–by the HKm Forum in one case and by the sub-district government in the other.
Both communities required institutional capacity building and training to be able to manage communal funds
transparently and through a bottom-up decision making process. Having this training in advance of project
implementation enhances the likelihood that communities will be able to successfully participate. Strong
community ―leaders‖ are also pivotal in organizing and facilitating agreement within the community. These
individuals may not start out as formal leaders (i.e., recognized or elected representatives of the community),
but they typically command the respect of their peers. In Mantaya Sabrang village, Syamsu was respected due
to his age and deep knowledge of the area‘s history. In Buluh Kapur, Darsono‘s motivation and personal
effort brought the community together to form the HKm group.
5.5.3 COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Engagement under the HKm model is inherently community driven. ICRAF played a crucial facilitating role
between the communities and the government. In the Katingan REDD+ project, the project is owned by
PT-RMU and communities are to be engaged through an FPIC process. The fact that the FPIC training
PRRGP INSTITUTIONAL MECHANISMS FOR REDD: CASE STUDIES – WORKING PAPER 109