> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://sexytrees.savimbo.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://sexytrees.savimbo.com/appendices/fpic.md). # FPIC: Free, Prior, and Informed Consent in Sexy Trees project design **Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) is not an optional step, but a mandatory one.** For certifiers and buyers of any climate project involving grassroots communities, it's also a compliance and legal risk issue. In short, do it. Do it right. And get someone to [double-check that you did it properly](https://savimbo.com/fpic) privately, because it will definitely happen publicly at some point. We would be remiss not to address FPIC, but equally remiss to present ourselves as defining its requirements when there are far more authoritative sources. What follows are *operational answers from a working organization*, not conceptual contributions to the literature or policy. We have added some [practice recommendations](/practice-guide/fpic/fpic-tips-and-tricks.md) we adhere to, refer externally to [definitive sources](#authoritative-sources-on-fpic), and strongly recommend our place-based [peer-nominated FPIC validation service](https://www.savimbo.com/fpic) for your jurisdiction. It cannot be emphasized enough that FPIC, like any type of consent, is ongoing. Projects must make provisions early in their design for what happens if consent is revoked and how [data will be handled](/foundations/data-sovereignty.md) in that scenario. ### Authoritative sources on FPIC Some guides for effective FPIC we recommend include, but are not limited to: * Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) [FPIC Guide](https://rspo.org/wp-content/uploads/RSPO-Free-Prior-and-Informed-Consent-FPIC-Guide-2022_RSPO-GUI-T08-002-V2-ENG.pdf) * First People's Worldwide FPIC [Due-diligence questionnaire](https://www.colorado.edu/program/fpw/sites/default/files/attached-files/fpic_due_diligence_questionnaire-2.pdf) * Forest People's Program [Good faith negotiation guide](https://www.forestpeoples.org/sites/fpp/files/publication/2010/09/fppkeyelementsgoodfaithdec08eng.pdf) * Sirge Coalition [FPIC guide](https://www.sirgecoalition.org/fpic-guide) * Convention on Biological Diversity[ Mo’ otz Kuxtal Guidelines](https://www.cbd.int/doc/publications/8j-cbd-mootz-kuxtal-en.pdf) --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com. ## Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter: ``` GET https://sexytrees.savimbo.com/appendices/fpic.md?ask=&goal= ``` `ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. `goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.