Institutional Mechanisms for REDD+ - Case Studies Working Paper

� The size and composition of aggregates created for REDD+ should be based on socially sustainable and
manageable units, taking into account local governance factors, instead of focusing solely on ecological
factors or on minimizing transaction costs.
Another key factor emerging from experiences with the Enduimet WMA and the Suledo Forest is the role of
facilitation agencies, their expertise, and their interests. Most WMAs were established with the facilitation of
international conservation NGOs. They focus their support on the aggregate institution in charge of
managing wildlife, thereby strengthening its operational capacity. An unintended consequence of this strategy
was a growing capacity gap with village government and a dynamic where upward accountability (to the
District and the facilitation NGO) is greater than downward accountability (to village government and
villagers). This trend was not observed in the WMAs and the VLFRs established with agencies more focused
on poverty alleviation, like ORGUT Consulting with Suledo Forest and Africare with Ipole and Uyumbu
WMAs (Nelson et al., 2006). These organizations focused more on strengthening village government and
communication with the aggregate institution.
Recommendations:
� Facilitating organizations that will support the establishment of new aggregate institutions for REDD+
should focus on strengthening village government and support local development support.
68 PRRGP INSTITUTIONAL MECHANISMS FOR REDD: CASE STUDIES – WORKING PAPER