81318803-Improve conditions for access to and implementation of REDD+ in Brazil

The contract"s terms require the contractor to achieve Output 3 goals and support others, focusing on enhancing capacities for accessing and managing forest protection finance. Key targets include updating Brazil-wide REDD+ fund standards via CONAREDD+, enabling four Amazon states to meet financial access goals, supporting IPLC groups to launch 12 gender-sensitive projects, and supporting the increasing of the Amazon Fund"s disbursement. Output 1 strengthens subnational systems with states and municipalities setting targets and preparing gender-sensitive proposals. Output 2 assists IPLC umbrella organizations in capacity building and project submissions with a gender focus. Output 3 drives the Fund to lead gender-sensitive innovation and create information-sharing platforms with other climate finance entities. Additional indicators monitor the adoption of recommendations, improved finance access, greenhouse gas reductions, and increased beneficiaries of forest protection efforts. These are the three work packages (WP): Work Package 1 focuses on enhancing subnational readiness for inclusive climate finance and carbon market participation. It directly contributes to key outcome and output indicators. Action 1: Strengthen subnational incentive systems and legal readiness for carbon finance. The goal is to build capacity in states and municipalities to design inclusive socio-environmental incentives (e.g., payment for environmental services) aligned with REDD+ and carbon market standards. A toolkit will be developed covering legal foundations, benefit-sharing, market alignment, and strategic coordination. Activities include supporting Amazon states with benefit-sharing strategies, legal frameworks, and linking incentives to carbon market standards. Action 2: Align and operationalize climate financing mechanisms with REDD+ priorities. This involves aligning public and private financing with REDD+ strategies, ensuring institutions manage resources effectively. Products include a policy report and a technical document for CONAREDD+. Activities include supporting CONAREDD+ in revising finance standards, facilitating dialogue among stakeholders, capacity building on climate finance governance, and communication material development. Action 3: Strengthen governance and participation in REDD+ and climate finance. This aims to build leadership and inclusive governance capacity in public agencies and IPLCs. A governance and capacity-building package will be created with modules on governance analysis, leadership development, and best practice systematization. Activities include supporting working group analyses, facilitating leadership programs, and compiling lessons learned. Milestones include delivering toolkits, legal assessments, technical assistance, policy renewals, training, and final governance packages. Work Package 2 focuses on inclusive access and capacity building for Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLC) in REDD+ governance, climate finance, and carbon market engagement, contributing directly or indirectly to several key indicators. Action 1: Participatory development of REDD+ procedures (Benefit Sharing, Safeguard Information Systems, FPIC, Governance) alongside the CONAREDD+ Communication Plan. This includes co-creating guidelines and communication materials tailored for IPLC engagement, ensuring transparency and legitimacy in REDD+ financial mechanisms. Action 2: Strengthen Payment for Environmental Services (PES)-integrated financing mechanisms focusing on gender and youth inclusion. Activities include assessing financial mechanisms, developing gender-sensitive PES guidelines, and consulting IPLC groups to ensure ownership and relevance. Action 3: Build IPLC capacities for REDD+ and carbon market participation through training, practical tools, and support for FPIC consultation processes in Amazonian states. This action also systematizes lessons from consultations to improve participatory REDD+ governance and benefit-sharing strategies. Action 4: Empower IPLC with direct access to climate finance by strengthening community funds, supporting eligibility, and facilitating community-led proposal calls. Training and technical support enhance IPLC readiness to access national and international climate finance. Milestones include delivering assessments, technical guidance, training courses, consultation support, and direct access tools. Work Package 3 aims to enhance the Amazon Fund"s impact through innovation, carbon finance, and strategic learning, directly contributing to key performance indicators. Action 1: Improve Monitoring, Evaluation, and Strategic Learning by developing a more agile, transparent Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) system focused on climate impact, REDD+ safeguards (gender, youth), and readiness for results-based and carbon market finance. This includes refining the Fund"s Logical Framework indicators, enhancing the project evaluation dashboard, and supporting adaptive management aligned with IPLC initiatives. Action 2: Strengthen operational effectiveness via innovative finance and international knowledge exchange. Activities include a study of financial mechanisms (e.g., blended finance, green bonds), a technical report with strategic recommendations for carbon market opportunities and alignment with national/international standards (ENREDD+, Verra, UNFCCC) and support the establishment of two formal knowledge-sharing mechanisms with other funds. A tailored capacity-building toolkit and training materials will support institutional readiness and stakeholder engagement. Action 3: Systematize and share best practices in project design and execution, especially for IPLC and community-based projects with carbon benefits. This involves producing a guidance package with diagnostic findings, design guidelines for improving project quality and scalability, and technical annexes on carbon market readiness and safeguards compliance.