On the wire
Latin AmericaFuture of Amazon rainforest policies at stake in Brazilian presidential electionUnited StatesNative American drive mining company off sacred landCanada$2.2M Boost For Quantum Test Targeting Iron Issues In First Nations GroupsWorldCelebrate Indigenous Peoples' Day with City Hall Flag Raising and Native-Led Events Across SeattleOceaniaMāori Band Coterie Revives Iconic Warriors Anthem — LBBLatin AmericaWake Forest-CINCIA Researchers Brief Pope on Amazon Mercury Pollution | NewswiseWorldIndigenous Peoples Day: Reflections on 500 Years of ResistanceWorldIndigenous Peoples Day 2026WorldPRCS Announces Facility Schedule Changes for Indigenous Peoples’ DayWorldIndigenous Peoples History and Storytelling is topic on October 6Latin AmericaFuture of Amazon rainforest policies at stake in Brazilian presidential electionUnited StatesNative American drive mining company off sacred landCanada$2.2M Boost For Quantum Test Targeting Iron Issues In First Nations GroupsWorldCelebrate Indigenous Peoples' Day with City Hall Flag Raising and Native-Led Events Across SeattleOceaniaMāori Band Coterie Revives Iconic Warriors Anthem — LBBLatin AmericaWake Forest-CINCIA Researchers Brief Pope on Amazon Mercury Pollution | NewswiseWorldIndigenous Peoples Day: Reflections on 500 Years of ResistanceWorldIndigenous Peoples Day 2026WorldPRCS Announces Facility Schedule Changes for Indigenous Peoples’ DayWorldIndigenous Peoples History and Storytelling is topic on October 6
Kabila

What is free, prior and informed consent (FPIC)?

Free, prior and informed consent, or FPIC, is the principle that indigenous peoples must agree before a project or law that affects them or their lands goes ahead. The agreement must be given without pressure, before decisions are made, and with full information. It includes the right to say no.

Each word has a meaning. 'Free' means no threats, bribes or manipulation. 'Prior' means consent is sought early, before approvals are given or work begins. 'Informed' means the community gets complete and honest information, in its own language, about risks as well as benefits.

'Consent' means a collective decision made through the community's own process, such as an assembly or council. The community may agree, refuse, or set conditions, and may take the time it needs. Consent given by a few individuals, or by leaders chosen by outsiders, does not count.

The principle appears in the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, for matters such as relocation, use of lands and resources, and new laws. Some countries have written it into national law, including the Philippines. Many banks and companies have also adopted it as policy.

In practice it is often weakened into mere consultation, where people are told about a project already decided. India's Forest Rights Act and PESA come close to the principle by requiring decisions of the gram sabha, the village assembly, before forest land is diverted.

Words used here

Free, prior and informed consentUNDRIPSelf-determinationLand rightsGram sabhaAncestral domain

Sources

Related questions

Seven peoples, once a week

Every Monday: seven peoples you may never have heard of, who they are and where they live.