Training Workshop on Social and Environmental Soundness of REDD+ Programming and Implementation

The primary goal of the workshop was to improve the social and environmental soundness of USAID and partner programs in Southeast Asia on REDD+ and related USAID Sustainable Landscapes programs. This objective was achieved by integrating key principles, approaches, and applications for social and environmental soundness into relevant natural resource management sectors. The workshop approach was highly interactive and participatory, drawing from participants' own experiences and expectations. Interactive sessions included World Café, panel discussions, stakeholder engagement exercises, and country working groups. The workshop was designed in two parts: the SES training workshop on days 1 to 4, and day 5, which was targeted to USAID staff and programming requirements, open to non-USAID participants as observers. Preparations for the workshop were extensive, with consultants preparing country profiles, studies of stakeholder engagement, and "lessons learned" from community forestry. Logistical arrangements, particularly travel arrangements, were also handled. A total of 34 participants from 8 countries attended the workshop, with more than 40% being female. Resource people included 5 from UN-REDD, RECOFTC, SNV, and FCMC, while the training and facilitation team consisted of 6 from USAID and FCMC. The participant breakdown included 10 government representatives, 5 academicians, 4 civil society representatives, 10 LEAF/LEAD participants, and 5 USAID staff members. Participants were encouraged to actively participate in all sessions, discuss key SES terms in country teams, and provide feedback and suggestions on daily sheets. Suggested house rules emphasized recognizing peers in individual capacity, avoiding English as a barrier, being bold and thinking "out of the box," helping manage time, avoiding being "online" during sessions, and having fun. The workshop aimed to apply key principles, issues, lessons, approaches, and applications to country-specific situations and actions. By the end of the workshop, participants were expected to have a better understanding of social and environmental soundness in REDD+ programming and implementation. The workshop's interactive and participatory approach facilitated the sharing and learning of experiences and lessons among participants.