Zambia is among the first countries piloting REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation, including conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks). The readiness stage for this mechanism entails the participatory development of a national REDD+ strategy. Zambia is fully engaged in advancing REDD+ and a partner member of UN-REDD (a United Nations collaborative program comprising FAO, UNDP and UNEP). During the REDD+ readiness phase a number of analytical studies are commissioned which will be conducted by national consultants. The outcomes of these assignments will feed in the formulation of the REDD+ strategy and future REDD+ implementation. UNIQUE provided expert knowledge to national consultants and the UN-REDD team on different REDD-related topics.

• Suggestion of approaches and processes for addressing safeguards and financing.
• Elaboration of incentives and benefit sharing mechanisms.
• Proposition of methodological approaches for a country-specific approach.
• Peer reviewing of institutional arrangements and the framework for REDD+.
• Preparation of an ‘options paper’ which will feed in the REDD+ strategy.