Eight countries have been selected as FIP pilots. The MDBs are now planning joint missions to each pilot country to support the government’s development of an investment strategy that is aligned with REDD-plus priorities.

FIP investment strategies will be crafted in close consultation with the following groups: national, state, and local authorities; NGOs and civil society organizations, including indigenous peoples and local communities; the UN-REDD Programme, Forest Carbon Partnership Fund (FCPF), and other forest-relevant organizations; other UN agencies, the Global Environment Facility (GEF), and development partners; and an array of diverse stakeholders. FIP builds on the readiness activities supported by FCPF and UN-REDD.

The FIP, FCPF, and UN-REDD programs are working together to define both short- and long-term opportunities to enhance cooperation and coherence among REDD-plus institutions in support of country-level REDD-plus activities. From joint delivery and planning meetings, to harmonizing procedures and developing a joint delivery platform with common standards, the three organizations are actively exploring pragmatic options to foster collaboration among existing REDD-plus institutions. Among the lessons learned: 

• At the country level, FIP resources can be used to match existing funding sources with country needs.

• Countries that have identified national REDD-plus priority actions, with FCPF and UN-REDD support, have a definite advantage: They can attract large-scale external investments and offer incentives to national stakeholders to enhance collaboration.

• The effective involvement of forest-dependent indigenous peoples and local communities is critical to the success of program development and the deployment of FIP resources.

• South-South cooperation and increased collaboration between bilateral and multilateral donors should be emphasized.

• Private sector investments require stable enabling environments, clear institutional arrangements, and transparent financial structures.