The Ministry of Environment and Energy announced on April 1 that it held a regional meeting in Quito focused on the distribution of benefits from the REDD+ program. The event brought together representatives from national governments, Indigenous peoples, Montubio and Afro-descendant communities, civil society organizations, and other local actors to discuss the design and implementation of Ecuador’s REDD+ Benefit Distribution Plan.
The gathering aimed to strengthen processes for distributing resources derived from climate policies in an equitable and transparent manner. Discussions included eligibility criteria, financial mechanisms, institutional arrangements, and participatory processes for managing REDD+ benefits.
Over two days, participants exchanged experiences regarding progress and challenges in benefit-sharing arrangements in countries such as Costa Rica, Brazil, and Peru. The agenda featured virtual presentations and thematic panels analyzing outcomes and lessons learned to advance more effective systems for managing climate-related resources.
A central focus was placed on technical analysis of financial mechanisms already implemented in the region—such as results-based payment agreements and direct grants—as well as governance models intended to channel resources efficiently to local territories. Challenges related to transparency, information traceability, and accountability were also discussed during the sessions.
Ecuador presented updates on its own participatory process for developing its Benefit Distribution Plan for REDD+, highlighting the involvement of communes, communities, Indigenous peoples, Montubio people, and Afro-descendant groups. This event concluded a series of dialogues led by the ministry designed to gather input from territorial actors and strategic sectors.
The regional exchange took place within the first year of an initiative aimed at strengthening Ecuador’s National REDD+ Policy. This effort is financed by the United Kingdom through UK PACT funding with technical support from Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), and Climate Law and Policy (CLP). The government reaffirmed its commitment “to consolidating public policies that guarantee equitable participation across all sectors of society,” emphasizing “the fundamental role played by local communities…in forest conservation…and sustainable management of natural resources.”
