This article aims to provide policymakers and other key stakeholders with insights into the issues and concerns of grassroots stakeholders with regards to REDD+2 policy and programme development. The lessons shared spring from experiences in REDD+ capacity development in South and South-East Asia, covering Indonesia, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Myanmar, Nepal and Viet Nam. Extensive participatory and contextualized discussions and a series of training events contributed to building a cadre of hundreds of REDD+ trainers and facilitators at different levels and reached out to thousands of grassroots communities in project countries.The opportunities and challenges involved in strengthening communication between policymakers and local stakeholders are highlighted
