National ICCA networks in a small number of countries have developed peer-support and -review processes to support the verification and reporting of ICCA data. There is increasing interest from ICCA networks in other countries to develop their own peer-support and -review processes at both national and regional levels. This guidance document has been created to support these networks to develop their peer-review and peer-support processes. It aims to provide flexible and adaptable steps for developing and managing these processes, recognizing that no single method fits all contexts.  

To create this guidance document, UNEP-WCMC sought the contributions and advice of networks that have already developed peer-support and -review processes, including in Colombia, Ecuador, Senegal, Morocco, and Spain. Their contributions were collected through a survey sent in June 2024 and the survey responses were used to inform this guide.  

The guidance in this document focuses more on the 'peer review' aspect of the 'peer-support and -review process', as peer support varies vastly in each context. It will be updated as more peer-review processes are created, and the information will be refined to encompass new lessons learnt and more detailed peer-review steps. National and regional ICCA networks and facilitating organizations are encouraged to tailor and experiment with approaches that best suit their unique circumstances.  

By leveraging these insights, the guide aims to empower ICCA custodians to ensure the integrity and accuracy of their ICCA data while fostering mutual support and collaboration through peer networks.