The key lessons learnt from this project are as follows:

• This project has successfully demonstrated that effective and meaningful participation of CSOs and LCs can be enhanced in the REDD+ process through targeted capacity building, providing relevant technical knowledge, and strengthening networks of LCs and CSOs.  With capacity building activities at the community level and initiatives to safeguard community’s concerns in policy processes, the project has raised awareness among these communities about their ability to access benefits from ERP. In Nepal, certain communities have already been equipped with the necessary technical details to access benefits from ERP once it becomes operational. Given that the emission reduction payment is yet to be fully implemented, ongoing capacity building activities for LCs and CSOs during this phase are crucial. Specifically, training on the procedures to access benefits from ERP and the development of technical skills to create proposals will be essential. Sustained capacity building on REDD+, ERP and BSP to LCs, especially for women and youth along with the local governments/agencies are also necessary.

• To ensure long-term effectiveness, capacity building projects should be extended in duration, and there should be increased investments in both formal and informal capacity building measures. This includes providing training on new developments at national and global levels, such as emission reduction programs, benefit sharing mechanisms, carbon rights, and carbon markets. Additionally, relevant technical skills development, such as carbon monitoring and alternative livelihoods, should be emphasized for LCs and other stakeholders.

• Recognizing that the capacities of CSOs vary across regions, with CSOs in East Asia and South Asia having stronger capabilities compared to those in the Pacific region, it is crucial to design specific capacity building programs for local CSOs in the Pacific. These programs should focus on enhancing their technical and administrative capacities to effectively carry out capacity building initiatives within local communities.

Key lessons and best practices of the sub-projects are given in following Table. 

	Nepal	Vietnam	Fiji
Best Practices	1. District level multi-stakeholder’s forums on REDD+ established synergy between government line agencies and CSOs regarding the sharing of information and lessons learnt about REDD+. 2. The collaboration among civil society organizations (CSOs) contributed to advancing other advocacy efforts of FECOFUN, such as safeguarding community rights within Forest Regulations. More than 12 CSOs came together and issued a joint statement about the issues posed by Forest Regulations 2079. 3. Local communities found visual illustrations were useful to understand the key messages during training. 4. The sub-project closely collaborated with similar initiatives, including the World Bank’s EnAble project, resulting in increased synergy, especially during the development of pertinent resource materials on ERP and REDD+.	1. Appropriate training programs were developed based on the training need assessment focusing on the local knowledge and information collected through community level consultations.   2. Engage experienced partners to facilitate capacity building activities in new locations. Seek local partners as valuable resources, including relevant stakeholders, capable and enthusiastic individuals, experts, and projects. 3. Providing content that is directly relevant to the concerns of CSOs will attract effective participation and contributions of all parties. 4. Establish relationships between stakeholders in the same issue to share information and work in an effective way. 5. PanNature complemented the government program through its in-depth field knowledge and practices.	1. GTM changed their timing of community visitation to 7-9pm in the evenings. This appeared to be an ideal time to talk to the communities in a relax mood to get the maximum information out of them. 2. The capacity-building activities involved the use of traditional/ indigenous approaches, such as the Talanoa sessions to share perspectives on REDD+ and ERP, and traditional/indigenous terminology meaning ecological restoration such as “Vakabulavanua” equating with REDD+. 3. GTM used the established forums, such as faith-based forums to convey the REDD+ message to the community people, and also to explore the potential of the forums to contribute to Fiji’s REDD+ program. 4. Partnering with the government as did by GTM with the Provincial Conservation Officer (during orientation to the village heads of Nadroga Navosa Province) can be replicated for the improved results of capacity building programs.
Key Lessons	1. The cascading approach of training communities on REDD+ through the trained local resource persons was helpful in increasing outreach to a greater number of beneficiaries.    2. The training materials should be developed in local languages for effective information dissemination. 3. Partnering with other projects with similar objectives adds value to the project.	1. Ensure diligent oversight of the development and implementation of relevant  policies, and take action in response to the progress of policy promulgation. 2. Work closely with local authorities in the process of policy advocacy and policy implementation. Involving these stakeholders in the project implementation process to support the main targeted groups of the project.   3. By deliberately choosing partners and regions with limited experience in the domain of payment for forest environmental services, the project’s interventions will generate significant interest and yield positive outcomes.	1. Additional capacity building is required to the local communities at the household level to address fundamental and crucial topics such as Access and Benefit Sharing, Social Inclusion, and Carbon Proprietary Right Ownership. 2. Enhanced collaboration among government stakeholders (with different areas of jurisdiction) is essential to ensure their active participation in capacity building and community awareness initiatives. This collaboration becomes crucial for addressing sector-specific issues that may arise during community-level capacity building forums. 3. Tribal and religious leaders could serve as the champion for Fiji’s future ERP capacity building awareness campaigns. 4. The sustained direct involvement of the Indigenous (iTaukei) Ministry in community-level capacity building activities holds significant importance.

Sub-projects have also yielded some common lessons: 

1. Increased synergy and collaboration with FCPF, local governments and other projects with similar objectives will increase the quality and outreach of the outcomes.
2. Direct involvement of IPLCs can be fostered by developing training materials in local languages; and using effective visual media, interactive tools.
3. Development of trainers at the local level, who could be used for training and capacity development activities, is instrumental to the success of REDD+.
4. Employing participatory training techniques that incorporate visual and interactive tools leads to enhanced learning outcomes with greater impact.