Selecting target groups

Before producers can be invited to sell carbon credits through the project the administration must first select which groups will be eligible for participating in the project. Target groups could include communities, local co-operatives or groups of individuals working with a particular NGO.

The selection of suitable target groups has important implications for the livelihood benefits of the project and the cost and risk associated with carbon credits. The process for selecting target groups should be as transparent as possible. Selection criteria should be stated and decisions documented. Characteristics that could be considered when selecting target groups include:

• Eligibility - which social groups will be eligible to participate in the project? How will these groups be defined (for example what defines a 'small-scale' farmer)?
• Technical capacity - what is the level of technical experience in the group, is this sufficient to implement offset activities with suitable support from the technical team?
• Organisational capacity - is the group able to achieve consensus through democratic means? Would it be able to organise group activities efficiently?
• Offset potential - are environmental conditions in the target area suitable for offset activities described in project technical specifications?
• Social stability - are internal disputes or disagreements between participants and other members of a community likely to disrupt project activities?
• Ownership of carbon credits - can the ownership of carbon credits be clearly defined? For example, long-term land tenure will be a key requirement in determining the ownership of carbon credits from land use activities.