Equitable Origin, in partnership with the Coordinating Organization of Indigenous Peoples of the Amazon Basin (COICA) and the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB), is currently leading an innovative and collective effort to examine the issue of Indigenous Peoples’ right to Free, Prior and Informed Consent, or FPIC, and how it is applied in the context of voluntary sustainability standards.
With support from the ISEAL Innovation Fund, this project has the goal of providing a practical guidance for FPIC that is developed in partnership with Indigenous Peoples and can be used by standard-setting bodies and assurance providers.
Building on our history of engagement of indigenous peoples in the Amazon, EO led the first FPIC workshop in Mocoa, Putumayo in Colombia in October of 2017. Twenty-two leaders participated in the knowledge-sharing and consultation on international sustainability standards and FPIC practices, with a particular focus on community empowerment and participation in FPIC processes.
The workshop was conducted in collaboration with the National Association of Indigenous Peoples from the Colombian Amazon (OPIAC) and the Putumayo Regional Indigenous Organization (OZIP).
EO will conduct two additional workshops in 2018 in Ecuador and Peru, which aim to capture Indigenous People’s main concerns, concepts and needs regarding effective application of FPIC in projects that take place on and/or affect their territories and through the use of international voluntary sustainability standards.
For more information about this project, please contact us: contact@equitableorigin.org
About COICA: The Coordinating Organization of Indigenous Peoples of the Amazon Basin
COICA is an organization that fosters the promotion, protection and security of indigenous territories through indigenous ways of life, principles and social, spiritual and cultural values. Their work is framed in the defense of life and the Amazon to preserve the forests for a living planet that will ensure the continuity of our present and future generations. COICA has been a partner of EO for several years and contributed to the development of the EO100™ Standard for Responsible Energy Development. For additional information: www.coica.org.ec
About RSB: The Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials:
The RSB is a global, multi-stakeholder independent organization that offers trusted, credible tools and solutions for sustainability and biomaterials certification that mitigate business risk, fuels the bio economy and contributes to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. For additional information: www.rsb.org
About OPIAC: The National Association of Indigenous Peoples from the Colombian Amazon
OPIAC is a nonprofit organization of indigenous special status that politically represents the indigenous organizations of the Amazon territories in front of international, national and local authorities. Its main objective is the protection and promotion of the collective and individual rights of the indigenous peoples of the Colombian Amazon. For additional information: http://www.opiac.org.co/
About OZIP: The Putumayo Regional Indigenous Organization
OZIP combines the Indigenous Peoples of the Municipalities of Mocoa, Puerto Guzmán, Villagarzón, Puerto Caicedo, Puerto Asís, Orito y Puerto Leguizamo, Sibundoy, Santiago, San Francisco, San Miguel y Valle del Guamuez. As a grassroots indigenous organization, it represents the interests and concerns of the inhabitants of the Putumayo region. For additional information: http://ozip.org.co