Guidelines for Integrating Indigenous Knowledge in Project Planning and Implementation

The ultimate aim of the guidelines, a joint publication of CIDA, ILO, KIVU Nature, and the World Bank, is to help develop a framework within which affected indigenous peoples can expect to receive information that will allow them to choose, on an appropriate collective basis through free and prior informed consent, whether a development project should go ahead.

In the event that they choose to have it go ahead, that they are offered the opportunity to participate in the planning and implementation of the project, using their traditional knowledge systems to help guide the decisions that will affect their future, and that the use of that knowledge and their participation is handled with respect, trust, equity and empowerment.

The preliminaries,  introduction, and  general guidelines of this document provide recommendations for  local communities, NGOs, project proponents and governments on how to consult during preparation and implementation of development projects. Case studies support the recommendations.

Worksheets  summarise the recommendations into practical steps. An Annex provides information on further readings, contacts, resources, etc. The entire document can also be downloaded as a ZIP (7.74MB) file. It is planned to translate the Guidelines into other languages.