Governance of REDD+ covers the decisions, actors, processes, arrangements and policy tools needed to design and to implement REDD+ strategies as well as technical REDD+ pillars. This involves local, national and global actors from a wide range of sectors. It relates to the institutional, policy and legal dimensions that will influence the successful implementation of REDD+, comprehensively addressing both direct and indirect drivers of forest loss and degradation. It deals with governance enablers and/or challenges that influence how emission reduction from deforestation and forest degradation will take place. These issues often go beyond the forestry sector and cover policies linked to changes in land-use change.

Leveraging on the experience and results obtained in UN-REDD Phase 1 and 2, this thematic area will continue supporting partner countries to establish governance systems of and for REDD+ contributing to the achievement of the Paris Agreement and strengthening the enabling environment for the long term sustainability of REDD+ activities at different levels. It will work-boosting participatory approaches, strengthening government, local and national stakeholder knowledge and capacities on different topics:

• Promotion of governance principles (Accountability, Effectiveness, Efficiency, Equity, Participation, Transparency).
• Strengthening legal frameworks, through technical support for development/revision and enforcement of forestry, agriculture, land and climate change laws and policies. Particular emphasis is made on the analysis of carbon/ER rights, benefit-sharing schemes and institutional arrangements needed to implement REDD+.
• Land and forest tenure reforms to support REDD+ readiness and implementation.
• Strengthening of multi-stakeholder consultation fora and promotion of a transparent and inclusive dialogue.
• Strengthening of subnational and national governance structures, including institutional arrangements needed to promote REDD+ sustainability and encourage effective inter-sectoral coordination (including in key Warsaw pillars, such as NFMS).
• Formulation and implementation of REDD+ strategies/action plans through multi-stakeholder processes, including through analyzing the drivers of deforestation and forest degradation from a governance perspective.
• Support the design of national REDD+ funds/investment plans.
• Construction of national approaches on safeguards and safeguards information systems (including the design and operation of grievance redress mechanisms).
• Support for enhanced recognition of the value of gender mainstreaming.