Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities (NEFIN) Climate Change and REDD Partnership Program organized a two day refreshment program on “Climate Change REDD + and Indigenous Peoples Concern” in Bode , Bhaktpur at the Agriculture Development Bank Center Training Institute from 21-22 Aug, 2012. The objectives of the program were 1) to enhance the capacity of the Indigenous leaders particularly who have been already participated earlier national level and engages as trainers as a resource person. They were informed about the various national and international activities and happenings on Climate Change and REDD, 2) to disseminate updates on REDD safeguards and indigenous peoples rights, 3) to encourage indigenous leaders to conduct trainings at regional, district and villager levels, and 4) to inform and update the indigenous leaders on Climate Change and REDD partnership Program activities so that they can make their own planning for appropriate venue and set timeline for the regional training. Participants of the refreshment program were from previous national ToT held at Nagarkot, Chitwan and Khasur but some were from Community Based Regional trainings including DCC chairperson, secretary, youths, students and Indigenous women organizations. Altogether 48 participants (male 33 and Female 15) from 21 districts of Nepal took part in the refreshment program. (See Annex I: List of Participants).

Procedure
The refreshment program consisted of participants from previous national ToT as well as new participants from various districts. The program started with expectation collection from the participants. Most of the participants wanted updates on national and international activities of climate change and REDD+, updates on NEFIN CC and REDD Program activities, national and regional training and on the rights of indigenous peoples in REDD + . After expectation collection, welcome remarks by Mr. Raj Kumar Lekhy, chairperson NEFIN mentioned that all participants are leaders of the Indigenous Peoples (IPs) of this nation. He urged for true inclusion of IPs in all levels and sectors of Nepal Mr. Kumud Shersha, , Pasang Dolma Sherpa , Khim Ghale, Mohan Sing Lama, Danda Gurung and Kamala Thapa were resource persons for the program. The objectives of the program were shared by Ms. Pasang Dolma Sherpa, National Coordinator, NEFIN, and Climate Change and REDD Partnership Program. (See Annex II: Program Schedule)

The presentations on Forest Carbon Trust Fund update, payment of environmental services (PES), REDD+ safeguard, FPIC in REDD + and National and Global Updates on REDD+ were given by Kamala Thapa Magar, Kumud Sherstha, Khim Ghale, and Pasang Dolma Sherpa respectively/ Mohan Sing lama and Dandu Sherpa has shared the activities of Radio programs and TV program conducted by the NEFIN Climate Change and REDD partnership program. Dolakha, Gorkha and Chitwan also shared their activities and experiences on REDD Pilot Project benefit sharing mechanism. The program was more focused on interaction program where many participants shared there experiences related to climate change and REDD program organized by other organizations like NGOs/INGOs have incorporated the rights of Indigenous Peoples in the context of Climate Change and REDD. Participants reported that neither such programs have ensured the full and effective participation of indigenous peoples’ nor have they disseminated proper information regarding pros and cons of REDD related programs. So it is essential that NEFIN DCC lobby and advocate in their respective districts for ensuring Indigenous peoples rights. Sharing by Parbati Rai from Dhankuta district revealed that indigenous women are more vulnerable to the effects and impact of climate change and to social exclusion at large. Therefore, it is necessary that NEFIN DCC play a very active role in lobbying and advocating with such organizations to ensure full and effective participation and FPIC process.

Outcomes
The last session included group work for the upcoming activities in the regions and districts. Participants were given the following topic for group discussion:

• Regional training on Climate change and REDD strategy.
• Climate Change, REDD and Indigenous Concern ( respective region)
• After attending the national ToT on Climate Change and REDD given by the NEFIN CC and REDD program, district who played the role to grip the resources from the other organizations to ensure the right of Indigenous people.

Group work presentations showed that NEFIN DCC, on their own initiative, conducted awareness program on Climate change, REDD and Indigenous people in Illam, Kanchanpur, Mornag, Lamjung, Banke, Bardia, Kailali, Dhankuta, Udaypur, Rupandehi, Makawanpur and Sindhuli districts with budgets ranging from minimum of Rs2000 to maximum of Rs1,50,000 collected from government budget, Distict Development budget and NGOs/ INGOs. This is a good outcome and endeavor which provides synergy to the ongoing campaign of NEFIN Climate Change and REDD Partnership Program to strengthen the capacity of Indigenous peoples to address the issue of Indigenous people in climate change and REDD related program and be conscious for advocacy to ensure the rights of indigenous peoples enshrined in REDD strategy

Conclusion
The Refreshment program on Climate Change, REDD an Indigenous peoples concern was successfully conducted. The program was more focused on interaction and sharing making it more effective. Many questions and arguments regarding NEFIN and NEFIN Climate Change and REDD Partnership Program were more interactive and fruitful for the DCC representation to be fully updated on the hot issues and to be more clear. Group exercise was useful because the participants got more involved in the planning of upcoming regional trainings including selecting venue and district by themselves. They were also able to update themselves on what they were doing in there respective districts regarding climate Change and REDD program. Documentary shows by NEFIN Climate Change and REDD activities also informed the participants on the relevant national and international happenings and events. 48 Indigenous peoples form 21 district were updated on Climate Change and REDD + activities.
The participants expressed their deep gratitude towards NEFIN Climate Change and REDD Partnership Program for organizing such refreshment program and distributing knowledgeable publications.

Recommendation

The indigenous leaders suggested NEFIN Climate Change and REDD Partnership Program to provide regular updates by conducting such effective programs and to remain vigilant towards the activities of the government especially in REDD strategy mechanism to ensure and address the rights of indigenous people in REDD strategy both in National and loval level. NEFIN also suggested to focus on local level trainings to aware and develop the capacity level of Indigenous peoples in the community leve also has symbiotic relative with forest for the sustainable livelihood