IGNARM

Network on indigenous peoples, gender
and natural resource management




Guidelines for Practitioners

Integrating Indigenous and Gender Aspects in Natural Resource Management

PART 1
I. Introduction
►Aim and purpose of guidelines
►How to use the guidelines
►Sources leading to the recommendations
►Hopes for the impact of the guidelines
►Acknowledgements

II. Case Stories
 ►Examples of the consequences of including or excluding gender and indigenous concerns in natural resource management activities

III. Gender Aspects in Indigenous Peoples’ Natural Resource Management
 ►Arguments for excluding gender
►Reasons for including gender and indigenous concerns
►Gender and natural resource management
►Culture and natural resource management
►Natural resource management and institutional issues

PART 2
IV. Key Issues and Questions within the Project Cycle
1. Project identification
2. Project preparation
►Macro level context analysis
►Micro level context analysis
►Partner consultations and assessment
3. Project design
►Composition of the design team
►Type of project
►Defining objectives
►Project activities
►Defining indicators for monitoring and evaluation
►Project budget
4. Project implementation
►Establishing project management systems
►Securing a gender approach
5. Project monitoring and evaluation

ANNEXES
I. Short description of the IGNARM network
II. Types of natural resource management interventions
III. Literature references and Glossary
IV. References to international agreements regarding gender, indigenous peoples and natural resource management

 

PART 2

IV. Key issues and questions within the Project Cycle

A number of NGOs, networks, donors, researchers and consultants all over the world have developed a variety of very valuable guidelines, manuals and tools for preparing, designing, implementing and evaluating activities related to natural resource management with indigenous peoples, with non-indigenous peoples or with a gender perspective.

However, there seems to be a gap in existing materials regarding the inclusion of both indigenous and gender aspects in natural resource management activities. This is the gap we are trying to fill with these guidelines.

The suggestions below are not meant to be exhaustive, but intended to pinpoint some of the crucial issues that are important to consider from the very start of the process of working with the five main steps of the project cycle:

  1. Project Identification

  2. Project Preparation

  3. Project Design

  4. Project Implementation

  5. Project Monitoring and Evaluation.

The involvement of, and ongoing consultations with both target groups and the various stakeholders are considered to be a key methodology during the entire project cycle.

We are aware that the reality in project design and management often does not allow practitioners to comply with all of our recommendations, which are both time and resource intensive. However, we think that the benefits to be derived from adapting at least some of our approaches and integrate our recommendations, will justify the effort.

 

 

 

1. PROJECT IDENTIFICATION

Very often fundamental decisions with respect to project design are taken – consciously or unconsciously – at the very early idea phase of the process and often on the basis of discussions with officials, NGOs and perhaps local – male – leaders. This obviously implies a risk that projects may not be relevant to those whose perspective have not been consulted nor included.

From a gender and indigenous peoples’ perspective it is therefore important to ensure that perspectives of men and women, indigenous and non-indigenous are heard and included already at the very early stages of project preparation before the first ideas are formulated on the contours of a project.

Let us imagine an environmental oriented NGO wishing to contribute to the sustainable natural resource management of a specific area, which is seen as unique due to its ecological characteristics. The task for the NGO is to identify which interventions would contribute best to this objective. Doing this would typically involve the following activities:

  • Obtaining relevant general background information about the area and the institutions involved in natural resource management (reports, studies, relevant legislation, etc.)

  • Visits to the institutions responsible for or involved in natural resource management at national and local/municipal level to identify their perceptions of the issues, challenges and opportunities related to achieving sustainable natural resource management in the area.

  • Consult with local people/inhabitants of the potential project area in order to obtain insight into their perceptions of the issues, challenges and opportunities for achieving sustainable natural resource management in the area. It is likely that the entry to the potential project area will take place through local leaders. However, in order to ensure that gender and indigenous peoples’ perspectives are genuinely incorporated, it is important to make interviews with others than the local leaders – who are often middle-aged males. Try to consult as wide a range of people as possible according to the following criteria:

    • Gender

    • Age

    • Ethnicity

    • Geographic location within the potential project area

    • Leaders/non-leaders

    • Socio-economic groupings

On the basis of the insights obtained from these secondary sources, an initial project profile can be elaborated. This first stage of the project cycle is often referred to as a “fact finding process”.

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