Revised: 10 December 2004

1. Title of the Work Plan

Forest Governance and Decentralization in the context of the priorities of the AFP

2. Main objectives of the Work Plan

Many countries in the region are currently engaged in processes towards decentralization of their forest sector and this trend is increasing. Progress so far is uneven, as they happen cyclical and not linear. Therefore, processes are at different stages, with diverse contexts, needs and stakeholders involved. Based on the experiences of the FAO/RECOFTC sponsored workshop on decentralization and devolution in Forest Management in Asia, held in Davao Philippines in 1999 and the UNFF-led intersessional workshop, initiated by Indonesia and Switzerland, on decentralization in the forest sector, held in Interlaken, Switzerland in April 2004, the proposed project will seek responses to actual challenges and next generation issues on decentralization in Asian countries, particular in the context of the priorities of the AFP. Well balanced and coordinated decentralization would contribute to better forest governance, which is crucial for addressing the core themes of the AFP (illegal logging, forest fires, rehabilitation). The project includes a workshop that is based on the results of the Davao and Interlaken events and the preparation of analytical pieces, policy briefings and toolkit/best practices to support further country initiatives.

3. Expected results (1.1. 2005 – 31.3. 2007)

• Enlarged understanding of the concept of decentralization in the general context of forest governance and their contribution to the core themes of the AFP
• Identifying opportunities for the Asia region on coordinated policy responses, capacity building and best practices for information flow
• Identifying instruments relevant to advancing the agenda at local level
• Identifying strategies for overcoming constraints in respect to effective decentralization and SFM (regional, national, subnational, local)

4. Modalities/Procedures

• Prepare outcome summaries from the Davao and Interlaken workshops and technical papers relevant to the expected results
• Convene a regional workshop among relevant countries and stakeholders in Asia
• Link outcomes with AFP’s initiative on forest tenure and ownership
• Prepare policy briefs, toolkit/best practice guidelines on forest decentralization for Asian countries
• Reporting back to AFP
• Technical reporting to the Asia-Pacific Forestry Commission in April 2006 in Dehra Dun, India.
• Follow-up processes might be organized at country levels to further address national contexts.

5. Time frame

• Preparation work CIFOR, FAO, RECOFTC, Intercooperation: Jan-Aug 05
• Workshop in August/September 2005. Host country offers: Indonesia, Philippines
• Reporting back to AFP (Dec 05, Dec 06)
• Preparation of toolkit/best practices, in-countries initiatives (Sep 05 – March 07)

6. Arrangements for potential funding

• Various possible sources including partners of the UNFF Interlaken workshop.
• Preparation Phase: Switzerland, UK (DfID).
• Workshop: Switzerland and other funding parties to be defined
• Secured funding until date: 110,000 US$ (by Switzerland and UK)
• Funding requests to be prepared by the consortium. Funding requirements: workshop and follow-up process until December 2006: about 400,000 US$. Funding requests for follow-up at country levels will be led by interested countries themselves.

7. Partners involved

Process responsibility by a Consortium of four parties: the Centre for International Forestry Research (CIFOR, Bogor); the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO, Bangkok); the Swiss Organization for Cooperation and Development (Intercooperation, Bern); the Regional Community Forestry Training Centre (RECOFTC, Bangkok)

• Responsibilities within the consortium: CIFOR (technical lead workshop preparation), FAO (lead toolkit), RECOFTC (lead stakeholder involvement) and Intercooperation (coordination of process, including funding arrangements)

Host country of workshop

• Governments: Asian countries that have expressed interest to participate. To date, countries included are Indonesia, Japan, Philippines, Nepal, Vietnam.
• AFP partner countries outside the region upon expression of interest. To date, countries included comprise United Kingdom, Switzerland.
• Intergovernmental organizations: ASEAN, APFC, APO, CBD, FAO, ITTO, nfp Facility, UNFF, Worldbank SAP Region, Worldbank/PROFOR, etc.
• Research and information organizations: IGES, TNC, Tropenbos Indonesia, WWF, others to be defined.
• Environmental and Advocacy NGOs, Private sector representatives

Next Steps (until mid-2005)

• Endorsement by AFP-4
• Eventually revise and finalize the Work Plan Sheet, prepare process paper
• Search of additional partners, fund raising
• Consortium coordination. Meeting in February/March 2005
• Host country preparation of workshop
• Announcement of venue and program of workshop

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