Policy brief: Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) - Indigenous peoples-driven development pathways

Indigenous peoples hold valuable knowledge, traditions, and practices that provide solutions to major challenges. When development projects value and build upon the distinctiveness of indigenous peoples’ communities, development effectiveness is likely to be achieved.

At the same time, indigenous peoples have the right to self-determination and the right to participate fully and effectively in decision-making processes that affect them. 

IFAD has a duty to ensure they can exercise these rights – and that includes ensuring free, prior and informed consent (FPIC) for our grant and loan recipients.

This policy brief explains what FPIC is, how IFAD seeks FPIC, and examples of how IFAD and indigenous peoples are working together with FPIC.

Read our call-to-action for the full and effective participation of indigenous peoples through FPIC.