Guide to free prior and informed consent

This guide is an introduction to Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC). It provides basic information about the right to FPIC and how this right can help people to have a say about development projects, such as dams, mines and, logging and other large infrastructure projects, which affect them in some way. We all have the right to decide what happens to our own lands. This principle is protected by international human rights law as “all peoples have the right to self-determination” and linked to the right to self determination, “all peoples have the right to freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development”. The guide is designed to assist the organisations supporting communities affected by large-scale development projects. It is a practical tool to facilitate dialogue between communities and the project developers - including companies, government and financiers. The guide contains a practical seven step framework which aims to assist Indigenous Peoples affected by a project to collectively claim their right to FPIC. It also outlines the same principles as they apply to all project-affected communities. It includes a section as a resource to help communities understand their rights, with useful tips and information. The guide also contains some “red flags” describing what can go wrong and difficulties that communities may encounter.