Distr.
GENERAL

INTERNATIONAL TROPICALTIMBER COUNCIL

ITTC(LI)/7
8 October 2015
Original: ENGLISH

FIFTY-FIRST SESSION
16-21 November 2015
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

PROGRESS REPORT ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF
THE ITTO THEMATIC PROGRAMMES(Item 13 of the Provisional Agenda)

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List of Acronyms
ATIBT
BWP
CBD
CFME
CFPI
CIRAD
CORPIAA
CTFT
DDD
DIAF
FFPRI
FLEGT
IDE
INAB
ITTC
ITTO
IUFRO
IWCS
JICA
MECNT
MoU
MP
NOL
NTFP
OLMS
PSC
PTC
REDD
REDDESREFACOF
TFLET
TLAS
TMT
TP
TPAC
TPD
TPP
TWNA
UNFCCCUNFF
YPOInternational Association for Tropical Timber Technologies
Biennial Work Programme
Convention on Biological Diversity
Community Forest Management and Enterprises
Chinese Forest Products Index Mechanism
International Agronomic Research Cooperation Centre for Development
Regional Indigenous Peoples Coordinating Council
Technical Centre for Tropical Forestry
Directorate for Sustainable Development, Democratic Republic of Congo
Directorate of Forest Inventory and Management, Democratic Republic of Congo
Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute
Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade of the European Union
Industrial Development and Efficiency
National Institute of Forests, GuatemalaInternational Tropical Timber Council
International Tropical Timber Organization
International Union of Forest Research Organizations
Internal Wood Control System
Japan International Cooperation Agency
Ministry of Environment, Nature Conservation and Tourism, Democratic Republic of Congo
Memorandum of Understanding
Monitoring Protocol
No Objection Letter
Non Timber Forest Products
Online Monitoring System
Project Steering Committee
Project Technical Committee
Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation
Reducing Deforestation and Forest Degradation and Enhancing Environmental Services
Network of African Women for Community Forest Management
Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade
Timber Legality Assurance System
Trade and Market Transparency
Thematic Programme
Thematic Programme Advisory Committee
Thematic Programme Document
Thematic Programme Profile
The Wood News Agency
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
United Nations Forum on Forests
Yearly Plan of Operation

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1.

Introduction

This document is prepared pursuant to Decisions 8 (XLIV) on the Thematic Programmes (TP) subaccount under
the Special Account, 9 (XLIV) on the Operational Procedures and Guidelines of the Thematic Programmes on a
Pilot Basis and 10 (XLIV) on the Thematic Programme Profiles (TPP), requesting the Executive Director to
prepare annual progress reports on the implementation of the ITTO Thematic Programmes for Council’s review.
The Thematic Programmes approved by the Council are:






Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (TFLET)
Reducing Deforestation and Forest Degradation and Enhancing Environmental Services
in Tropical Forests (REDDES)
Community Forest Management and Enterprises (CFME)
Trade and Market Transparency (TMT)
Industry Development and Efficiency (IDE)

In keeping with the above Decisions, this document reports on the current status of Thematic Programme
implementation and the progress made since the 50th Session of the ITTC held in Yokohama, Japan, 3-8
November 2014.
Under the Thematic Programmes 79 projects have been approved for funding, i.e. 29 under TFLET, 31 under
REDDES, 5 under CFME and 14 under TMT. Tables 4 and 5 provide an overview of the projects funded undereach programme. 43 projects have been completed, 28 projects are ongoing, three projects are 'pending
agreement', one project is in the inception phase and four projects have gone into ‘sunset’. Chapter 4 of thisreport highlights selected achievements and impacts during the reporting period. Annex I provides an overview on
the status of the individual projects. Projects reported completed to earlier sessions of the ITTC and projects in‘sunset’ are not included in Annex I.
2.

Thematic Programme Financing

During the reporting period, the USA has contributed to TMT in the amount of US$100,000. No pledges havebeen received for TFLET, REDDES, CFME or IDE. Table 1 shows the funding status by programme. Table 2
provides an overview of the pledges to the Thematic Programmes by programme and donor, divided into pledges
received during the TP pilot phase (2009-2012) and pledges received under the SAP 2013-2018 (starting with the48th ITTC). The funding received for the Thematic Programmes under the SAP 2013-2018 is US$3,082,730 (seeTable 2).
Table 1. TP Funding Status by Programme
TP
TFLET
REDDES
CFME
TMT
IDE

a) Pledges$9,079,307$9,532,742$1,100,000$2,210,613n/ab) Committed$8,655,493$9,361,604$1,054,720$2,210,613
n/ac) Available for
Allocation (a – b)$423,814$171,138$45,280
NIL
n/a

The thematic programme on Industry Development and Enterprises (IDE) has not received any pledges fromdonors. Furthermore the thematic programme on Community Forest Management and Enterprises (CFME) has
not received any new pledges since the 46th ITTC in December 2010 and consequently only one call for
proposals was launched under that programme in 2010. Recalling Decision 4(XLVIII) on ‘Strengthening theThematic Programmes’, Operative Clause 4 to ‘urge members to contribute to the Thematic Programmes SubAccount in order to fully implement ongoing Thematic Programmes as soon as possible’, the Council may wish tore-emphasize the urgent need for additional financial pledges for the implementation of all thematic programmes.

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Table 2: Pledges to the Thematic Programmes
TP pledges Pilot Phase
Donor

Total

TFLET

REDDES

NorwayNetherlands
Japan
Australia
Switzerland
USA
UK
EU/CITES
FinlandGermanyJLIA
New ZealandSweden
Korea
Sub-Total

8,228,960
3,000,000
2,275,953
280,608
1,883,040
1,532,456
949,380
356,356
132,888
77,76150,00037,53025,00010,00018,839,932

15,0003,000,000
991,235
280,608
683,040
757,456
949,380

8,173,960

40,000483,782

635,000

165,936

400,000
175,000

100,000
300,000

700,000
300,000

Australia
EU/CITES
Switzerland
Japan
USA
Sub-Total

1,942,098
490,632
300,000
200,000
150,000
3,082,730

Total

21,922,662

3.

CFME

TMT

IDE

356,356
97,68935,19977,76150,00037,53025,00010,0006,887,209
9,232,742
1,100,000
TP pledges SAP 2013-2018
1,942,098

1,619,981

NIL

490,632
300,000
200,000
50,0002,192,098

300,000
Total
9,079,307
9,532,742

1,100,000

100,000
590,632

NIL

2,210,613

NIL

Thematic Programme proposals approved in 2015

The 5th TMT Cycle was launched in November 2014 with a deadline of 9 January 2015. The call was limited toproposals addressing the objectives of both, the TMT as well as the ITTO-CITES programme. In June 2015, fiveproposals were approved for funding under the 5th TMT Cycle. Approved proposals are listed in Table 3.
Table 3: Projects approved for funding under the 5th TMT Cycle
5th TMT Cycle Approvals
Cameroon

ID #TMT-SPD 020/15 (M)

China

TMT-SPD 023/15
Rev.1 (M)Congo

TMT-SPD 021/15 (I)

Ghana

TMT-SPD 017/15
Rev. 2 (M)
TMT-SPD 022/15 (M)GlobalTitle
Support to ANAFOR for the Optimal Operation of the P. Elata(Assamela) Management Data Base in Cameroon
Supporting SMEs and Importers of Tropical Timber for Better
Understanding of CITES and the need to Comply with CITES
Rules in China
Establishment of a Monitoring Centre for the Industrial use of P.
Elata in the Congo Republic
Improving Sustainable Pericopsis elata Conservation and Trade
Regulation in Ghana
Establishment of a fully documented reference sample collection
and identification system for all CITES-listed Dalbergia species
and a feasibility study for Diospyros and look-alike species

ITTO
Funding$113,400$150,000$130,000$149,997$200,000ITTC(LI)/7
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4.

Achievements, impacts and lessons learned

Main achievements of projects completed during the reporting period and projects about to complete aresummarized below, for more details please refer to Annex I. Projects already reported to earlier sessions of the
ITTC and projects in ‘sunset’ are not included in Annex I. Detailed information on all projects, including project
document, completion report, technical reports, ex-post evaluation report or any other materials produced by aproject, i.e., flyers, poster or brochures are also available from the ITTO online project search tool at
http://www.itto.int/project_search/. Documents are posted as they become available in the original language ofsubmission.
TFLET
TFL-SPD 028/12 Rev.1 (M), Ghana - Empowering civil society organizations and other non-state actors toeffectively contribute to forest law compliance in Ghana (completed)
The project was based on solid premises considering the practical challenges of forest law enforcement andcompliance in Ghana. It was identified as critical in filling a gap of capacity of civil society and other non-state
actors to engage and expose forest law enforcement issues. It has been critical in dovetailing into the FLEGTVPA process as well as other civil society initiatives such as the ClientEarth Legal Working Groups and Proforest
training modules on FLEGT verifications. This project was designed principally with CSOs, CBOs and other nonstate actors, such as traditional authorities, local communities and individual social activists as primary
beneficiaries. CSOs and CBOs were closely involved in project training and field study tours. The training hasenhanced their capacity and confidence in terms of issues to look for along the timber supply chain and also on
how to engage forest authorities. It is however acknowledged that the participation of communities or community
members, recognized as essential for building grass-root vigilantes against illegal appropriation of timber andother forest resources, was not as conspicuous as the executants had hoped. It was suggested by local
stakeholders during project field monitoring and evaluation visit to replicate the project for local communities using
selected forest reserves as pilot. As primary beneficiary, industry players were involved in project activities
through participation in the National Forest Forum. Industry involvement in the forum has improved corporation
and relationship with CSOs and CBOs. Traditional Authorities have participated in the forum annually and suchparticipation has strengthened their voices. The resulting communiqué from participants of the forum waspresented to the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources for study and implementation. The project has been
associated with the National Forest Forum, a platform established to advocate good governance issues in theforest sector and it has adopted an approach of supporting the participation of industry, for the first time, in theforum. Being an on-going annual conference of relevant stakeholders, the participation of industry and otherstakeholders has the impact of enhancing transparency and build dialogue in the sector, which dialogue theForestry Commission is willing to fund beyond the project period.
TFL-SPD 029/12 Rev.1 (M), Peru - Marketing of timber from legal and sustainable sources by indigenous
communities in Ucayali, Peru for the fair trade market (completed)
The project has been completed. A manual of chain of custody procedures has been updated and disseminated
21 operators from 7 communities and the city of Pucallpa have been trained on proper sawing and timber drying
techniques and a manual of administrative and accounting procedures developed and implemented. In terms of
training 70 community members have been trained in applying business management tools. The company
CITEINDIGENA SRL, representing 7 communities operating as Communal Producers Association-Certified Wood
(PROMACER) has established a strategic alliance to access the Fairtrade market for certified wood products andthe operations plan of CITEINDIGENA SRL has been adapted to Fairtrade standards and CITEINDIGENA SRL
has applied for the Fairtrade certification. The sustainability of the activities initialized under this project has been
ensured through an agreement between the communities and CITEINDIGENA SRL, which is mutually beneficial.
The contribution of AIDER is primarily directed to providing support and capacity building to community members
regarding the required forest management plans and to engage with the Fairtrade process, thereby ensuringcontinuation of the engagement with Fairtrade markets for certified forest products after project completion. The
project also has great potential for duplication and replication in Amazonia due to the large number of native
communities with forest areas which can develop schemes for community forestry, voluntary forest certificationand fair trade.
TFL-SPD 030/12 Rev.1 (M), Peru - Improved governance and implementation of transparent negotiation
mechanisms for indigenous community forestry in Atalaya (Ucayali) (completed)
The project has been completed. The project has organized Community Forestry Oversight Atalaya within
CORPIAA and developed its rules. CORPIAA has developed the VFC Act which involved all CORPIAA partners

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who agreed to form the VFC, all of whom signed the act. The VFC Act has been enrolled/registered in the Public
Records Act. The definition of the structure of the VFC has been prepared and approved at a meeting of
CORPIAA. The sustainability of project outputs is ensured by the inclusion of the VFC Act in Peru’s Public
Records, ensuring government recognition of community control over affected forest areas. The strong
involvement and engagement of local communities through CORPIAA will continue beyond project completion, as
will the inputs and assistance of the implementing agency (HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation). A number oftechnical reports and manuals is available from the ITTO project search tool at http://www.itto.int/project_search/
PD 449/07 Rev.2 (M,I), PNG - Enhancing Forest Law Enforcement in Papua New Guinea (completed)
The project has provided the PNG Forest Authority (PNGFA) with a sound basis for implementing a Legality
Assurance System that responds to timber procurement policies and stakeholder objectives. A timber tracking
and chain of custody system including a timber products database has been developed and pilot-tested in PNG
proving that this can be achieved. A legality standard based on FLEGT guidelines and principles, together with anindustry code of conduct “template”, has been prepared for future implementation in PNG. A set of monitoring
tools incorporating the existing PNGFA Logging Code of Practice as reference points in the monitoring forms toenable independent verification. This has also been developed and pilot-tested for assessing forest industry
participant compliance with PNG’s Timber Legality Standard.
REDDES
RED-PPD 050/11 Rev.1 (F), Cameroon - Participatory development, conservation and rehabilitation of
degraded forest areas in the Bamboutos Mountain chain, West Cameroon (completed)
A project proposal, dealing with the project on participatory development, conservation and rehabilitation of
degraded forest areas in the Bambotous Mountain Chain, in the Western Province of Cameroon, was developed
and validated by main stakeholders. The proposal entitled ‘Participatory Development, Conservation andRehabilitation of Degraded Forest Landscapes in the Bamboutos Highlands, West Cameroon’ was submitted to
ITTO. The assessment of the 50th meeting of Expert Panel rated the proposal as Category 2. The pre-project has
been dealing with the awareness of key stakeholders on the need to become part of the solution, as most of themhad been part of the problem regarding the forest land degradation of the Bamboutos Mountain Range. Thosestakeholders have been sensitized on the importance of the participatory approach for the implementation of the
future project as a contribution to combat deforestation and forest degradation in the Bamboutos Mountain
Range.
RED-SPD 075/12 Rev.1 (F), China - Demonstration on investigation and assessment of typical forest
ecotourism resources in Hainan province, China (completed)
The project has produced a reference book entitled ‘Guide on Collection for Inventory and Assessment of Forest
Recreation Resources in USA’ in Chinese in 2015 by China Forestry Publishing House. The project also
produced two scientific articles: namely, 1) Research Progress on Classification, Investigation and Evaluation ofForest Tourism Resource (in Chinese) in World Forestry Research (2014, 27(6): 8~13); and 2) Valuation andPayments for Forest Ecosystem Service: Concepts, Principles, and Indicators (in Chinese) in Journal of China
Agriculture University (2014, 19(5): 263~268). Furthermore, the project team prepared an article entitled ‘The
Sustainability of Payments for Environmental Services (PES) of Natural Production Forests: Lessons Learned
from Maohui Community, Hainan, China’. The paper was accepted by the 2015 World Forestry Congress,
Durban, South Africa and it is published on the WFC website:
http://foris.fao.org/wfc2015/api/file/55476332e52d79267e89a5c2/contents/8c0e7665-e133-428a-b2a7-6c446069ee26.pdf

The project has improved the research capacity of the Executing Agency relating to the development of forestbased ecotourism and enhanced their technical knowledge and skills to conduct tropical forest ecotourism
research more effectively. The achievements of the project will contribute to future policy development for ecotourism in south China based on sound methods for investigating and assessing tropical forest ecotourism
resources at forest management unit levels. One of the important lessons learned from the implementation of the
project includes that support of the local stakeholders, especially local communities in Diaoluoshan National
Forest Park and local forestry agency of Hainan Forestry Department was essential to the efficient
implementation of a participatory multi-stakeholders consultation process. A combination of top-down and bottomup approaches was an essential means of implementation of the project activities. To ensure the sustainability ofthe project after its completion, the Executing Agency has formulated a list of future PES research plans which
will be pursued by extending the outcomes and lessons from the project. The Diaoluoshan National Forest Park
has also set up a special management unit and extension work framework to maintain and enhance theprotection and sustainable management of the demonstration forests in collaboration with local communities inITTC(LI)/7
Page 6order to increase the long-term sustainability of the project.
RED-SPD 055/11 Rev.1 (F), Ecuador - Integrating sustainable livelihoods, environmental mortgages, andscience-based reforestation for tangible forest conservation change in the Ecuadorian Chocó (completed)In participating in the pilot community Mono Bravo, 14 of 34 cacao-farming households were formally affiliatedwith the cooperative formed as a result of this project (‘ASMOBRA’, Asociacion de Productores Mono Bravo).
Direct conservation–livelihood trades have replaced the project’s lending component. By the project completion,
ASMOBRA had engaged in a total of two conservation–livelihood trades. Of the total 495 hectares of primary
forest holdings in pilot community Mono Bravo, 300 hectares are now formally designated as environmental
assets under participation in the environmental mortgages program, representing 60.6% of the community's total
forest holdings. The project's reforestation component was postponed for post-pilot phases of the program. The
project's lending component has been replaced by direct conservation–livelihood trades. Financing required to
pay for specific livelihood improvement services was acquired via budget reprogramming and fundraising efforts
during the project duration. Currently it is being augmented for post-pilot phases via both further fundraising and apotential voluntary carbon offsets agreement.
RED-PD 064/11 Rev.2 (F), Indonesia - Promoting Local Community Initiative on the Rehabilitation ofMangrove Ecosystem with Demonstration Activities in Bintan Island to Reduce further Deforestation andForest Degradation (completed)
The project has produced a number of technical reports, including the following:

Report on the socio-economic condition of Bintan mangrove communities
Report on Bintan’s existing mangrove regulations/policies
Report on stakeholder coordination activities
Report on establishment of a mangrove education center

The reports are available from the ITTO database through the ITTO project search tool at
http://www.itto.int/project_search/. The project has resulted in increased awareness amongst communities in
Bintan on the importance of mangroves and helped to formalize the role of local communities in mangroveplanning and policy making in Bintan and elsewhere in Indonesia. Project outputs have provided key inputs toIndonesia’s evolving policy on mangrove conservation and sustainable use.
RED-PD 018/09 Rev.1 (F), Peru - Sustainable forest management and utilization of ecosystem services inforests managed by the Ese'Eja naïve community in Infierno, Peru (completed)
Despite of an initial delay mainly due to the validation and verification of the REDD Project Design Document(PDD) developed for the Ese’Eja community forests of Infierno, the project has been able to produce a large
number of outputs and products, including the following reports (in Spanish only):












Estudio socioeconómico de la Comunidad Nativa de Infierno.
Diagnóstico del uso, impacto y actores involucrados con la gestión de los recursos naturales del bosquede la Comunidad Nativa de Infierno.
Guía de campo para la estimación del carbono almacenado en la biomasa de los bosques administrados
por la Comunidad Nativa Ese´Eja de Infierno y su concesión de ecoturismo en la Región Madre de Dios
Estimación del carbono almacenado en la biomasa de los bosques administrados por la Comunidad
Nativa Ese´Eja de Infierno y su concesión de ecoturismo en la Región Madre de Dios
Estimación de los cambios en el carbono almacenado y emisiones de gases efecto invernaderoproducidas por deforestación no planificada en escenario de línea base de la Comunidad Nativa deInfierno –Región Madre de Dios.
Estudio legal para ratificar y mantener los derechos legales de uso de los recursos del bosque en elterritorio comunal y en la concesión de ecoturismo de la Comunidad Nativa de Infierno
Topografía legal de la Comunidad Nativa Ese'Eja Infierno
Plan de acción para la gestión del bosque de la Comunidad Nativa de Infierno
Memoria Descriptiva del Territorio Comunal de Infierno con Resolución de Reconocimiento.
Documento de Proyecto (PD) VCS REDD+ “EVIO KUIÑAJI ESE´EJA CUANA, PARA MITIGAR EL
CAMBIO CLIMATICO, MADRE DE DIOS – PERÚ”
Anexo metodológico del Documento de Proyecto (PD) VCS REDD+ “EVIO KUIÑAJI ESE´EJA CUANA,
PARA MITIGAR EL CAMBIO CLIMATICO, MADRE DE DIOS – PERÚ”

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Page 7Documento de Diseño de Proyecto (PDD) CCB REDD+ “EVIO KUIÑAJI ESE´EJA CUANA, PARAMITIGAR EL CAMBIO CLIMATICO, MADRE DE DIOS – PERÚ”
Reporte de monitoreo del primer periodo de reducción de emisiones.

These publications, describing the achievements, impacts and lessons learnt of the project are available from the
ITTO project search tool at http://www.itto.int/project_search/
Other project achievements and impacts include:







11,000 hectares under sustainable forest management. The native community of Infierno implements
forest management actions in their community forest.
One avoided deforestation initiative based on native communities with defined land rights and use ofnatural resources and 11, 000 hectares of forests with forest cover and changing land use under control.
One forest landscape restoration initiative: A demonstration project managed by the community wasestablished to recover degraded areas with additional funding from the international cooperation (IICA Finland).
The native community of Infierno is to perceive additional revenues derived from a REDD project.
The native community of Infierno has developed a greater awareness of ecosystem services provided bytheir community forests.
The native community of Infierno has become skilled in the REDD, PES, sustainable forest management
and forest restoration activities.

RED-PD 033/11 Rev.2 (F), Peru - Value adding to environmental services from managed forests belonging
to seven communities in the Ucayali region (completed)
The Executing Agency has produced a number of products, including several studies and technical documents
which are available at http://www.itto.int/project_search including the following (in Spanish only):













Estudio de Estratificación de los Bosques del Área del Proyecto.
Estimación del Carbono Almacenado en la Biomasa del Bosque de las Comunidades Nativas deCallería, Flor de Ucayali, Bueno Aires, Roya, Curiaca, Pueblo Nuevo del Caco y Puerto Nuevo.
Plan de campañas de sensibilización comunal sobre la importancia del bosque.
Plan de capacitación de recursos maderables y no maderables en 07 comunidades nativas de la región
Ucayali.
Plan de Capacitación sobre REDD+.
Diagnostico Social Económico en Cinco Comunidades Shipibo – Conibo.
Diagnostico Social Económico en Dos Comunidades Cacataibo.
Línea base social para el proyecto REDD y evaluación de impactos
Marco lógico para la elaboración de la estrategia REDD del proyecto.
Plan de Capacitación en Gestión Empresarial.
Campañas de Sensibilización Comunal – Informe de Implementación.
Informe Técnico: Diseño de un proyecto REDD en comunidades nativas

Other project achievements and impacts include:







142,247.5 hectares under sustainable forest management in seven Shipibo Conibo indigenous
communities in the Peruvian department of Ucayali (Sinchi Roca, Puerto Nuevo, Callería, Flor de
Ucayali, Roya, Curiaca and Pueblo Nuevo). The communities implement these forest management
actions in their community forest with a view towards reducing current deforestation and forest
degradation.
The seven native communities to perceive additional revenues derived from a validated REDD Project
Design Document (PDD) under the CCB, and Verified Carbon Standard, which encompasses 127,004.0
hectares
The seven native communities have developed a greater awareness of ecosystem services provided bytheir community forests.
The seven native communities has become skilled in the REDD, PES, sustainable forest management
and forest restoration activities.
Four communities obtained Voluntary Forest Certifications from the FSC.

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Page 8CFME
CFM-PPD 006/10 Rev.1 (F), PNG - Enabling customary landowners to participate effectively in CFM and
REDD schemes within four pilot areas of PNG (completed)
The pre-project aimed to design a model community-based land ownership mapping and forest resource
assessment system that supports CFM schemes within four pilot areas of PNG. The field research findings andrecommendations have been incorporated into two technical reports, which are both available through the ITTO
project search tool. Technical Report 1 provides an overall assessment of the project’s social, economic andenvironmental baseline data, together with a detailed description of each selected sample area. The findings
revealed a diverse project context - with similar strengths and weaknesses at the community level - in which local
partners offer target landowners an important link with the outside world; opening up new opportunities forenhancing rural livelihoods. Technical Report 2 shows that assets such as technical capacity, land tenure andenvironmental data, equipment for recording information, software for analyzing data, and internet connectivity
are relevant to the objectives of the project. The PNG Forest Authority then hosted a 3-day project planningworkshop to finalize the framework for the development of a full-project with reference to the technical reportfindings. The resulting full proposal PD 764/14 (F) ‘Enabling Customary Landowners to Participate Effectively in
Community Forest Management Schemes within 6 Pilots Areas of PNG’ was rated ‘Category 1’ by the 45th
Expert Panel. It incorporates the lessons learned from the pre-project, including:







Climate change / REDD+ interventions involves complex, cross-sectoral issues which require multistakeholder inputs at all levels (from national to local)
Governance issues should not be overlooked. In PNG, government processes are often fast-tracked andproper technical appraisal side-lined. Independent technical bodies are needed to guide thedevelopment of government policies and strategies.
Policies, strategies, frameworks, programs and projects should (i) be based on a common foundation toensure cost-effective, successful outcomes, (ii) focus on priority issues & cost-effective actions, (iii) tackle
local level constraints, and involve departments responsible for empowering landowners (e.g.
Department of Lands).
In any REDD+ project, the Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) process is key. This process will
ensure full participation of communities (thus landowners) at all stages of the project cycle. FPIC is an
ongoing process that leads to (changing) outcomes all through.
Need to compile existing lessons from the implementation of clan-based forest management / natural
resource management initiatives in the country in order to facilitate the effective design andimplementation of REDD+ policies and activities
TMT

TMT-PD 004/11 Rev.2 (M), Guatemala – Strengthening of the forest information system of Guatemala toimprove market and trade transparency and decision-making in the forest sector (ongoing)
This project is working closely together with project TFL-PD 024/10 Rev.2 (M) ‘Improvement of forest law
enforcement at the national level to promote forest governance in Guatemala’ and has been able to achieve
substantial results. The implementation of Electronic Information System for Forest Enterprises, SEINEF hasallowed the National Forest Institute to have positive impacts on the regulation and control of trade in forest
products. Since the adoption of SEINEF, the registration of legally established companies has increased by 70%
from 1,230 to 2,043 active companies. Of those 2,043 companies, 1,608 are already using the system,
representing almost 80% of companies active in the INAB. By the end of 2014 sales of 88.453 bills of transport offorest products were registered, each costing about US$ 1 (8 quetzales) and thereby generating US$ 88.453 in
additional INAB revenues budget revenue. This revenue allows the system to be self-sustained. The concept of
SIFGUA providing an automated process of forestry activities has not only provided a tool to regulatory control
institutions (CONAP and INAB) but the objective is also to reduce service times for users, and to eliminate
repetitive steps and processes thereby making the procedure faster and more efficient. The new SIFGUA image
is presenting the system in a way that allows to reach more users and positions SIFGUA at the national andinternational level as of reference for information on forestry.
TMT-PD 006/11 Rev.3 (M), Guyana – Strengthening market information systems to enhance trade andmarket intelligence in the forest sector of Guyana (completed)
A framework as well as a methodology for strengthening data collection efforts was developed. This builds on theexisting system which is available and improves on areas where there were evident data gaps and inefficiencies

ITTC(LI)/7
Page 9in data process and management time. The completion of three main reports on Critical Data gaps, review of themarket framework for trade development in Guyana, and the assessment of factors affecting markets andmeasures impacting on tropical timber use and, were completed. The Marketing Strategy document and theReport on Competitiveness were completed. The forestry sector of Guyana now has an integrated market
information system in place with more detailed reporting capabilities on prices, market demand, export trends,
and quality requirements for different regions, which can enhance forecasting in prices levels and demand; andprovide a more integrated reporting on the wood products supply chain. There is now better planning andallocation of state forest resources; more strategic marketing efforts in pursuit of expansion of key markets foradded value products; macro-economic benefits through improved planning and strategic decision in relation toemployment, and increased export earnings. Several strategic areas of the sector: marketing, forest management
and planning, and resources allocation, have been receiving positive impact from this project activities.
TMT-SPD 013/12 Rev.1 (M), ITTO – Analysis of the Economic Impact of Governmental Procurement
Policies on Tropical Timber Markets (completed)
The project has been reported completed in the TP report to the 50th ITTC. The final report ‘The impact of timber
procurement policies: an analysis of the economic effects of governmental procurement policies in tropical timbermarkets’ has been published in March 2015 under the ITTO Technical Series, TS44 and is available for downloadfrom the ITTO website at http://www.itto.int/direct/topics/topics_pdf_download/topics_id=4359&no=1&disp=inline
5.

Follow-up on the Decision 4 (XLVIII), Strengthening the ITTO Thematic Programmes

Following-up on Decision 4 (XLVIII), Strengthening the ITTO Thematic Programmes, the Thematic Programme
section of the ITTO website had been revised. Within the framework of the overall revision of the ITTO website
and IT systems under BWP Activity 19 to further enhance public relations, education and outreach activities andActivity 21 on Knowledge Management, this revision is continuing. Development and testing of the new website is
ongoing. The report of the study synthesizing the aggregated achievements of the projects under the ITTO
Thematic Programmes on a) Reducing Deforestation and Forest Degradation and Enhancing Environmental
Services (REDDES) and b) Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (TFLET) towards the respective
programmatic objectives has been circulated to all members and will be presented to the Council together withthis progress report under Item 13 of the Provisional Agenda. While the study was initially thought to be based on
only the completed projects under REDDES and TFLET, its scope has been expanded to include ongoingprojects and also some relevant projects from the regular cycle. It has assessed the programmatic coverage (andquality) of the work done in relation to the Council approved TFLET Programme Document (TPD) and theMonitoring Protocols (MP) including the identification of potential gaps. It also attempts to assess thecomplementarity of REDDES and TFLET with other related initiatives at international level and to identify the TP
added value. Lessons learned and effectiveness of knowledge sharing (incl. replicability, innovation,communication, etc.) have been identified. The report provides key conclusions and recommendations on
strengthening the programmatic approach and as appropriate provides suggestions for adjustments to theprogramme strategy. The Executive Summary of the consultant’s report is attached to this document as Annex II.

ITTC(LI)/7
Page 10
Table 4: Approved projects by Thematic Programme (by country in alphabetical order)
TFLET approved projects
Submitted
byBWP
2008/2009
BWP
2008/2009

Project ID
PP-A/43-193
PP-A/43-194

BWP
2008/2009

PP-A/43-200

BWP
2008/2009

PP-A/43-202

AfricaPD 124/01 Rev.
2 (M) Phase II –Stage 2
TFL-PD 037/13
Rev. 2 (M)Australia

Cambodia
Cameroon
Cameroon
China

PD 493/07 Rev.1(F)
TFL-PD 003/09
Rev.2 (M)
TFL-PD 014/09
Rev.1 (M)
TFL-PD 017/09
Rev.2 (M)

Title
Enhance capacity of small and medium size enterprises to produce
and trade timber from legally and sustainable source
Promote trade in tropical timber and tropical timber products fromsustainably managed and legally harvested sources$ 100,000*Completedth(48 ITTC)$ 200,000*Completedth(48 ITTC)$ 544,070*Completedth(46 ITTC)

Implementing a DNA timber tracking system in Indonesia$518,833

Ongoing

Strengthening Capacity of Forest Law Enforcement and Governance(Cambodia)
Improving governance and transparency of timber harvests andtrade in Cameroon
Reduction of illegal logging through better governance of community
forests in the Lom et Djerem Division, East region, Cameroon
Equipping small and medium sized forestry enterprises in China for
procurement of tropical timber from legal and sustainably managed
forests
Implementing and promoting sustainable forest management
through formulation of an action plan for improved forest law
enforcement and governance in Colombia
Development and implementation of a species identification and timbertracking system in Africa with DNA fingerprints and stable isotopes$561,195$365,526*Completedth(48 ITTC)
Ongoing$302,562

Ongoing$322,056

Completed$91,498*Completedth(48 ITTC)$155,522*Completed(47th ITTC)$163,039*Completed(49th ITTC)$147,701

Completed$563,339

Ongoing$74,586

Ongoing$66,942

Ongoing$474,163$456,680*Completed(50th ITTC)*Completed(50th ITTC)
Ongoing$495,880

Ongoing

TFL-PPD 001/09
Rev.2 (M)Germany

TFL-PPD 023/10
Rev.1 (F)Ghana

TFL-SPD 007/09
Rev.1 (M)

Ghana

TFL-SPD 028/12
Rev.1 (M)
TFL-PD 024/10
Rev.2 (M)
TFL-SPD 040/13
Rev.2 (M)Strengthening the capacity of small-medium enterprises in Ghana to
produce and trade in timber products from legal and sustainablesources
Empowering civil society organizations and other non-state actors toeffectively contribute to forest law compliance in Ghana
Improvement of forest law enforcement at the national level topromote forest governance in Guatemala
Development of a program to strengthen the traceability of legallysourced forest products in Guatemala

TFL-PPD
045/13 Rev. 2(M)
TFL-PD 010/09
Rev.1 (M)
TFL-PD 019/10
Rev.2 (M)
TFL-PD 032/13
Rev. 2 (M)Improving forest product monitoring and efficiency through thedevelopment of a program to enhance the performance of the
primary forest processing industry
Strengthening the capacity of related stakeholders in Java on
implementing new Indonesian TLAS
Developing collaborative management in the Cibodas Biosphere
Reserve, West Java Indonesia
Strengthening the Capacity of Local Institutions to Sustainably
Manage community Forestry in Sanggau for Improving Livelihood

TFL-PD 033/13
Rev. 2 (M)Strengthening the governance of community forest throughimproved capacity to adequately perform timber administration inJava and Nusa Tenggara region in Indonesia

Guatemala

GuatemalaIndonesia
Indonesia
Indonesia

Indonesia$ 600,000

Status(reported at)*Completedth(48 ITTC)*Completedth(50 ITTC)

Provide technical assistance for selected poor local/indigenous
communities to formulate project proposals for submission to ITTO
for management of forests and sustainable timber production
Global assessment of the status of tropical forest tenure withidentification of trends and implications for investment andmanagement, and for convening an expert workshop on Tropical
Forest Tenure and Business Models, including formulation of a
project to assist Civil Society Organization(s) to set up and operate
on a pilot basis a remote sensing system to detect illegal logging
activities in areas known to be critically affected by such activities
Promotion of Sustainable Management of African Forests(ITTO/ATO)

Colombia

Guatemala

ITTO
Funding$ 300,000*reported completed to ITTC or sunset; not included in Annex I$496,670

ITTC(LI)/7
Page 11
TFLET approved projects
Submitted
byMali

PanamaPeru

Project ID

Title

TFL-SPD
038/13 Rev.3(M)
TFL-PD 044/13
Rev.2 (M)Capacity-building programme to foster law enforcement and local
governance over timber use and marketing activities in the Segou
region, MaliStrengthening of ANAM’s management capacity to reduce illegal
logging and trade in the eastern region of Panama (Bayano andDarien) through monitoring and control mechanisms
Verifying the Legality of Timber Forest Products in Peru

PPD 138/07
Rev.1 (M)
TFL-SPD 029/12
Rev.1 (M)
TFL-SPD 030/12
Rev.1 (M)

Peru
Peru

PNG
PNG

ThailandPD 449/07 Rev.2(M,I)
TFL-SPD
043/13 Rev. 1(M)
TFL-PPD 005/09
Rev.1 (F)ITTO
Funding$149,707

Status(reported at)
Ongoing$412,556

Pending
Agreement$79,844$137,941*Completedth(48 ITTC)
Completed$131,236

Completed$ 473,040

Completed

Chain of Custody Verification for Timber Processors in Papua New
Guinea$147,280

Inception
Phase

Strengthening the capacity of local communities of Chaiyapum
Province (Thailand) to manage community forest$56,970*Sunset

ITTO
Funding$1,124,784

Status(reported at)
Ongoing
Pending
Agreement
Completed

Marketing of timber from legal and sustainable sources byindigenous communities in Ucayali, Peru for the fair trade market
Improved governance and implementation of transparent negotiation
mechanisms for indigenous community forestry in Atalaya (Ucayali),Peru
Enhancing Forest Law Enforcement in Papua New Guinea*reported completed to ITTC or sunset; not included in Annex I

REDDES approved projects
Submitted
byBrazilBrazilCameroon

Cameroon

Cameroon

China

China
DRC

Ecuador

Ghana
Ghana

Ghana
Guatemala

Project ID

Title

RED-PD 029/09
Rev.1 (F)Monitoring deforestation, logging and land use change in the Pan
Amazonian Forest - PANAMAZON II

RED-SPD 058/11
Rev.2 (F)
RED-PPD
050/11 Rev.1(F)
RED-PPD
051/11 Rev.1(F)

Developing REDD+ES in the Brazilian Atlantic Rain Forest$142,110

Participatory development, conservation and rehabilitation of
degraded forest areas in the Bamboutos Mountain chain, West
CameroonContribution to the implementation of REDD mechanisms byenhancing the participation of stakeholders in sustainable forest
management in Cameroon$73,613$81,864*Completed(49th ITTC)

RED-PPD 074/12 Identification of a project on gender mainstreaming in theRev.1 (F)development of actions to control deforestation and forest
degradation, to improve the well-being of communities dependent on
forests and other ecosystems in Central and West Africa
RED-SPD 020/09 Development and demonstration on scheme of payment forRev.1 (F)environmental services (PES) derived from degraded and secondary
tropical production forests in China.
RED-SPD 075/12 Demonstration on investigation and assessment of typical forest
Rev.1 (F)ecotourism resources in Hainan province, China
RED-A 023/09
Technical Support for the Development of a National Forest
Rev.1 (F)Inventory in the Democratic Republic of Congo to assess carbon
stocks and changes in carbon stocks of forest land
RED-SPD
Integrating sustainable livelihoods, environmental mortgages, and055/11 Rev.1
science-based reforestation for tangible forest conservation change(F)in the Ecuadorian Chocó
RED-PD 026/09
Reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation
Rev.1 (F)through collaborative management with local communities
RED-SPD 077/12 Rehabilitation of degraded forests for sustainable wood fuelRev.1 (F)production and climate change mitigation in the forest-savannatransition zone of Ghana
RED-PD 093/12
Advancing REDD+ in Ghana: preparation of REDD+ pilot schemes
Rev.3 (F)in off-reserve forests and agro-forests$101,117*Completed(50th ITTC)$149,040*Completedth(48 ITTC)$145,800

Completed$476,820*Completedth(48 ITTC)$149,922

Completed$658,716

Ongoing$121,662

Ongoing$297,205

Ongoing

RED-PPD 006/09 Local REDDES programme for development and addressing climate
Rev.2 (F)change in Guatemala: Building social processes for sustainability$82,080*Completed(49th ITTC)*reported completed to ITTC or sunset; not included in Annex I

ITTC(LI)/7
Page 12REDDES approved projects
Submitted
byGuatemala

GuyanaHonduras/
GuatemalaIndonesia

Indonesia

Indonesia

ITTO
ITTO

ITTO

Project ID

Title

RED-SPD 079/12 Strengthening of governance and sustainable management of
Rev.1 (F)mangrove ecosystems in Guatemala as a climate change adaptation
measureRED-PD 005/09
Strengthening Guyana's capacity to manage forest resources andRev.2 (F)environmental services through resources assessment andmonitoring changes in deforestation and degradation
RED-PPD 041/11 Designing a Programme for Capacity Building and Meaningful
Rev.2 (F)Stakeholder Participation in Forest Governance and REDD+ in
Honduras and Guatemala
RED-PD 007/09
Rev.2 (F)Enhancing forest carbon stock to reduce emission fromdeforestation and degradation through sustainable forest
management (SFM) initiatives in Indonesia
RED-SPD 009/09 Promoting the partnership efforts to reduce emission from
Rev.2 (F)deforestation and forest degradation of tropical peatland in south
Sumatra through the enhancement of conservation and restoration
activities
RED-PD 064/11
Promoting Local Community Initiative on the Rehabilitation of
Rev.2 (F)Mangrove Ecosystem with Demonstration Activities in Bintan Island
to Reduce further Deforestation and Forest Degradation
RED-A 004/09
Building a voluntary carbon marketing scheme to promote
Rev.1 (F)sustainable forest management
RED-PA 056/11
Strengthening the capacity of ITTO producer countries in Africa in
Rev.1 (F)generating and disseminating scientific information on Reducing
Deforestation and Forest Degradation and Enhancing Environmental
Services from Forests
RED-PA 069/11
Quantifying the REDD+ effect of ITTO projects
Rev.1 (F)ITTO
Funding$146,751

Status(reported at)
Ongoing$400,680*Completed(48th ITTC)$144,650*Completed(50th ITTC)$447,071*Completedth(48 ITTC)$149,493*Completed(50th ITTC)$504,317

Completed$97,180*Completedth(46 ITTC)*Completed(50th ITTC)$253,120$143,510

Completedth*(50 ITTC)

Liberia

RED-SPD 084/12 Improving efficacy of forestry policies and activities in Liberia
Rev.1 (F)through REDD+ demonstration projects$149,922

Ongoing

Malaysia

RED-PD 037/11
Rev.2 (F)

Reducing forest degradation and emissions through sustainable
forest management (SFM) in peninsular Malaysia$590,922

Ongoing

MexicoRED-PD 045/11
Rev.2 (M)$470,682

Ongoing

Myanmar

RED-PD 038/11
Rev.3 (F)

Environmental assessment and economic valuation of ecosystemservices provided by coastal forests (mangrove forests, flood
forests, rain forests and scrub forests on dunes) and theiragricultural replacement systems on the central coastal plain of
Veracruz, Mexico
Capacity building for developing REDD+ activities in the context ofsustainable forest management$571,890

Ongoing

Peru

RED-PD 018/09
Rev.1 (F)$356,519

Completed

Peru

RED-PD 033/11
Rev.2 (F)Sustainable forest management and utilization of ecosystemservices in forests managed by the Ese'Eja naïve community inInfierno, Peru
Value adding to environmental services from managed forests
belonging to seven communities in the Ucayali region$415,384

Completed

Thailand

RED-SPD 039/11 Improving the quality and coverage of the estimates of carbon
Rev.1 (F)stocks in Thailand's forests and trees outside forest: Phase I$113,373*SunsetTogo

RED-PD 031/11
Rev.1 (F)

Rehabilitation and restoration of residual forests and arid savannahlands in the Akpé and Akama valleys$478,894

Ongoing

Togo

RED-SPD 092/12 Reducing deforestation and forest degradation in the Natchambonga
Rev.1 (F)and Djiyega community forests by promoting participatory forest
management actions$149,904

Ongoing*reported completed to ITTC or sunset; not included in Annex I

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Page 13

CFME approved projects
Submitted
byGhana

Project ID

Title

CFM-SPD
007/10 Rev.1 (F)CFM-PD 001/10
Rev.1 (F)CFM-PA 009/10
Rev.2 (F)

Enrichment of young forest plantations with selected NTFPs forlivelihood improvement and support of forest fringe communities in
Atwima Mponua District of Ghana, in order to secure and protect theresources on a sustainable forest management basis
Strengthening capacity of stakeholders for the development ofcommunity-based plantation forest at 3 selected areas in Indonesia
International Conference on Forest Tenure, Governance and Smalland Medium Forest Enterprises with Focus in the Asia Pacific

PNG

CFM-PPD
006/10 Rev.1 (F)Enabling customary landowners to participate effectively in CFM and
REDD schemes within four pilot areas of PNG

Thailand

CFM-PPD
Increasing access to markets and capital for teak plantation
005/10 Rev.1 (M) smallholders in Thailand

Indonesia
ITTO

ITTO
Funding$149,229

Status(reported at)*Completed(49th ITTC)$465,151*Completedth(50 ITTC)*Completed(47th ITTC)$200,000$122,040

Completed$31,104*Sunset

ITTO
Funding$113,400

Status(reported at)
Ongoing*reported completed to ITTC or sunset, not included in Annex I

TMT approved projects
Project ID

Title

Cameroon

TMT-SPD
020/15 (M)Support to ANAFOR for the Optimal Operation of the P. Elata(Assamela) Management Data Base in Cameroon

China

TMT-SPD
023/15 Rev.1(M)

Supporting SMEs and Importers of Tropical Timber for Better
Understanding of CITES and the need to Comply with CITES
Rules in China$150,000

Ongoing

Congo

TMT-SPD
021/15 (I)
TMT-SPD
010/12 Rev.1 (M)Establishment of a Monitoring Centre for the Industrial use of P.
Elata in the Congo RepublicstPreparation of the publication “atlas of tropical timber species – 1
Edition: Technological characteristics and uses of 273 tropicaltimber species (and 17 temperate species)$130,000

Ongoing$138,033

Ongoing

FranceGabon

TMT-SPD
Adaptation and application at the national scale of the Trace Bois011/12 Rev.2 (M) Gabon (Gabon timber tracking) for the collection and processing offorest and timber statistics in Gabon$138,996

SunsetGhana

TMT-SPD
012/12 Rev.1 (M)
TMT-SPD
017/15 Rev. 2(M)
TMT-SPD
022/15 (M)Improving intra-African trade and market transparency in timber andtimber products
Improving Sustainable Pericopsis elata Conservation and Trade
Regulation in Ghana$111,931

Ongoing$149,997

Ongoing

Establishment of a fully documented reference sample collection
and identification system for all CITES-listed Dalbergia species anda feasibility study for Diospyros and look-alike species
TMT-PD 004/11
Strengthening of the forest information system of Guatemala toRev.2 (M)improve market and trade transparency and decision-making in theforest sector.
TMT-PD 006/11
Strengthening market information systems to enhance trade andRev.3 (M)market intelligence in the forest sector of Guyana
TMT-SPD
Enhancing the Sustainable Management and Commercial Utilisation
014/13 Rev.1 (M) of the CITES-listed Species Cedrela Odorata (Red Cedar) in
GuyanaTMT-SPD
Improving resilience of the tropical timber sector to the impacts of
002/10 Rev.1 (M) global and regional economic and financial crises
TMT-PA 007/11
Methodological Development for Life Cycle Analysis of Tropical
Rev.1 (I)
Wood Products to Improve their Competitiveness in International
Markets$200,000

Pending
Agreement$359,716

Ongoing$320,920

Completed$136,640

Ongoing$150,000*Completed(48th ITTC)*Completed(48th ITTC)

TMT-SPD
Analysis of the Economic Impact of Governmental Procurement013/12 Rev.1 (M) Policies on Tropical Timber Markets$150,000

Ghana

GlobalGuatemala

GuyanaGuyana

ITTO
ITTO

ITTO

*reported completed to ITTC or sunset; not included in Annex I$60,116

Completed(50th ITTC)

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Page 14

Table 5: TP projects by country/region

Country/Region
Cameroon
Congo
DRC
Gabon
Ghana
Liberia
Mali
Togo
Africa Total
Australia
China
Indonesia
Malaysia
Myanmar
PNG
ThailandAsia Pacific Total
BrazilColombia
EcuadorGuatemala
GuyanaHonduras/Guatemala
MexicoPanamaPeru
Latin America Total
TFLET pre-cursor
FranceGermany
GlobalITTO Secretariat
Others Total

TFLET
2

REDDES
3

CFME

TMT
1
1

1
2

3
1

1

(1)*
2

1

4(1)

1
5
1
1
4

1
(1)*
7(1)

2
10
2
3
1
1
(1)*
7(1)
2

1
1

1
(1)*
2(1)

1

1
3

1
2
7
8

1
2
1
1
1

1
2

2
10

3
1

1

9
28(1)

3
3
30(1)

* projects gone into sunset (not counted in the totals)

1
1
4(1)

1
3
5
13(1)

Fundedprojects
6
1
1
(1)*
8
1
1
2
20(1)
1
4
8
1
1
2
(3)*
17(3)
2
1
1
6
3
1
1
1
4
20
8
1
1
1
7
18
75(4)

Funding
US$
1,038,082
130,000
476,820(138,996)*
1,799,480
149,922
149,707628,798
4,372,809
518,833
766,8963,489,425
590,922571,890
269,320(201,447)*
6,207,286
1,266,894
91,498
149,922
1,293,414
858,240
144,650
470,682
412,556
1,041,080
5,728,936
2,792,998
138,033
155,522200,000
1,053,926
4,340,479
20,649,510

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ANNEX ISTATUS OF APPROVED ACTIVITIES, PRE-PROJECTS, SMALL PROJECTS AND PROJECTS(Projects reported completed to earlier sessions of the ITTC and projects in ‘sunset’ are not included)

TFLET
Implementing a DNA timber tracking system in Indonesia
Project number:

TFL-PD 037/13 Rev. 2 (M)Project country:

Australia

Budget:Total:

US$ 549,763

ITTO Contribution:

US$ 518,833

INAB

US$ 30,793

Submitted by:

Government of Australia

Implementing agency: University of Adelaide, Australia
Duration:

24 months

Financed at:

6th TFLET Cycle (2013)

Status:Ongoing

Summary:
Illegal logging and associated trade are the cause of many economic and ecological problems both in timber
producer and timber consumer countries. The key problem to be addressed by this project is the weak capacity inforest law enforcement. DNA marker methods use characters inherent in the timber (i.e. impossible to falsify) andguarantee a method, which is cost effective and statistically robust, for controlling the origin of wood and wood
products. The project will develop a species identification and timber tracking system using DNA methods forimportant Indonesian timber tree species, the red meranti group; and light red Meranti. For two of these species
leaf, cambium and wood samples will be collected from across their distribution area and gene markers will be
developed that differentiate genetically between trees of different locations and also work for processed timber.
The samples will be screened for DNA markers and provide a genetic reference data base to control the region oforigin. Using DNA-fingerprints a tree by tree approach to control the chain of custody will also be applied for light
red meranti in cooperation with timber companies in Indonesia. As measures of capacity building and technology
transfer, staff from the Indonesian partners will be trained to apply DNA-techniques to perform simple DNA tests
to check origin. The University of Adelaide in Australia is the executive agency and will work closely with CFBTI in
FORDA and other institutes from Indonesia, Germany and USA.
Progress:
The project agreement has been signed in September 2014 and implementation has started on 12 August 2015.
The first PSC meeting will be held in Yogyakarta, Indonesia on 24 November 2015.
Achievements, impacts and lessons learned:
Nothing yet to reportITTC(LI)/7
Page 16
Improving governance and transparency of timber harvests and trade in Cameroon
Project number:

TFL-PD 003/09 Rev.2 (M)Project country:

Cameroon

Budget:Total:

US$ 418,626

ITTO Contribution:

US$ 365,526

Traffic International:

US$ 53,100

Submitted by:

Government of Cameroon

Implementing agency: Traffic International
Duration:

24 months

Financed at:

TFLET 2nd Cycle (2009)

Status:Ongoing

Summary:
The project is designed to contribute to the improvement of governance and transparency of timber harvest andtraded in Cameroon and internationally by strengthening the national process for controlling illegal logging andassociated trade in Cameroon in order to contribute to transparency of timber trade in Cameroon with a view toaddress the problems of unsustainable timber harvesting, weak forest law enforcement and illegal trade of thecountry’s timber.
Progress:
The project has initially experienced a substantial delay. Although the project agreement has been signed on 22
March 2010, the project implementation only commenced on 12 October 2011. The delay was due to the need forrevisions to the work plan and the inception report, and arrangements between the Executing Agency and thecollaborating counterparts at MINFOF, Cameroon.
Activities carried out over the reporting period include:












A total of 22 MINFOF officials benefited from two training of trainer’s workshops organized by the
project. Part of the workshop involved the review of the training modules on law enforcement developedby a consultant recruited by the project Inputs from workshop have been incorporated in the final
version of the manual.
Forty three (43) officials from Finance (Customs and Tax), Justice, Police and Gendarmerie weretrained in three training of trainer’s workshops.
Train forest logging companies in relevant FLE aspects of their work completed with the participation of
six logging companies including representative of logging companies and Douala sea port timber’sparks in the first training of trainer’s workshop.
A study to gather information on timber routes was carried out, a report is available with maps
identifying new timber routes.
A draft report on the interagency national coordination committee workplan was prepared.
Establishment of an interagency coordination committee for FLE was not completed. However, theterms of reference were prepared with strong recommendation that it should be managed by the prime
minster office since it involves several ministries.
A draft code of conduct and professional ethics for forest controllers in Cameroon has also been
produced.
A draft report on status of the traceability systems in Cameroon produced and available.
An information system for the monitoring of forest products trade was developed and report prepared.
Actual field work focused on the update of the IT data management system at MINFOF for
communication to public and transparency promotion.

The Executing Agency has submitted the draft completion report, technical reports and is working on the final
audit report.

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Page 17

Achievements, impacts and lessons learned:
A total of four training of trainer’s workshops on forest law enforcement, forest regulation and control wereconducted that befitted more than one hundred participants of whom sixty-five were direct beneficiaries and therest indirect stakeholders.
The project developed a manual on forest legislation and control with five modules based on the various capacity
building workshops organized by the project. Five studies were conducted and are annexed to this report on thefollowing i) to update timber trade routes in the country; ii) to evaluate the status FLE monitoring in Cameroon; iii)
to review the timber traceability system in Cameroon; iv) to develop a work plan for FLE and v) to develop an
information management and communication to the public on illegal timber trade activities to foster transparency.
The project has also produced 2 maps of the main timber trade roads as part of the study and a code of conduct
and professional ethics has also been prepared as an annex to the study to the monitoring of FLW in Cameroon.
In order to foster relations between relevant stakeholders, an agreement has been reached to put in place a
National Coordination Unit on forest law enforcement under the auspices of the Prime Minister Offices.
Those significant achievements have resulted in the improvements in improved capacity and forest law
enforcement as compared to the period before the project. Stakeholders were trained, informed and sensitized onforestry law and the fight against illegal logging and associated trade. The various government stakeholders in theagencies now know their roles and responsibilities of better, and how and where and when they shouldcollaborate based on their mandate and legal frameworks.

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Reduction of illegal logging through better governance of community forests in the Lom et Djerem
Division, East region, Cameroon
Project number:

TFL-PD 014/09 Rev.1 (M)Project country:

Cameroon

Budget:Total:

US$ 355,062

ITTO Contribution:

US$ 302,562

Government of Cameroon:

US$ 52,500

Submitted by:

Government of Cameroon

Implementing agency: Forestry Department, Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife (MINFOF)
Duration:

24 months

Financed at:

TFLET 2nd Cycle (2009)

Status:Ongoing

Summary:This project seeks to reduce illegal logging and poverty in the Lom and Djerem Division through better
governance and development of community forestry. The specific objectives include to sufficiently satisfy thedemand of wood in the north and neighboring countries through better organization of timber markets andpromotion of the creation and implementation of legal timber titles; and to reduce poverty at the community level
through good governance in managing existing community forest and micro-development projects in the Lom andDjerem Division. The expected outputs are:
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to assist 6 communities in obtaining and managing community forests;
to sensitize the Lom and Djerem councils on the creation of council forests;
to supply the Northern markets with sawmill residues;
to better understand and disseminate the timber market chain from Lom and Djerem to the Northern
regions;
to put in place a wood tracking system from the Koundi community forest;
to reinforce the capacities of members of the Koundi community in increasing and better managing
revenues from their forest; andto sensitize all actors on legal wood trade; andto install and have a functional Coordination Unit in place

Progress:
Following the project implementation in January 2011, the project has experienced a delay in project Year 2 duevarious factors, including the transfer/re-assignment of several officials (in charge of the project) within the
Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife and difficulties to comply with reporting requirements. In addition some negative
impacts of bad weather particularly at the project site in the Eastern Region.
The following project activities have been carried out:

Two sensitization meetings held with strong representation and very active participation of the local
communities, organized by both MINFOF and Forum in Diang and Belabo respectively.
The six local communities selected to participate in the project include: Moundi, Mbeth II and Kanda (inthe Diang Sub-Division); Ndjangané-Adiah, Belabo -Ekak-Yoa village and Mambaya (in the Belabo SubDivision).
Six management entities were created by the selected local communities. These include the TANG BALACIG in Moundi, the BWOK CIG in Mbeth II, the FOFFA CIG in Kanda, the NA CIG in Ndjangané-Adiah,the BEY CIG in Ekak-Yoa Village (Belabo) and the NYALODJO’O CIG in Mambaya. These groupings
have to date, all gained legal recognition under the adopted appellation of ‘Community Initiative Group’(CIG).

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
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The species inventory of the community forest allocated to the FOFFA CIG in Kanda has been
completed.
The communes/counties of Lom and Djerem are sensitized for the creation commune’s/county’s forests;
Northern regions are supplied with residues of sawmills;
The trade channel of timber products from Lom and Djerem to northern regions is identified anddisseminated/publicized;
The chain-of-custody system for timber products from the existing community forest of the village ofKoundi is established;
The capacity of the member of the advisory committee of the village of Koundi is reinforced for the
management of revenue from their community forest;
All stakeholders are sensitized on legal timber trade
A coordination structure is established
Assist 06 communities (FOFA GIC, GIC BWOK of MBETH II, TANG GIC, GIC NYIALODJO'O, GIC and
GIC NA BEY) to develop simple management plan for the forest;
Organized training workshops on economic opportunities to use wood waste plants;
Facilitated collaboration between communities and logging companies on the recovery of wood residues
from plants;
Sensitized communities and traders on the results of the detailed study of marketing channels between
Lom and Djerem and the Region;
Established an information system on the timber market;
A system of traceability of wood from the community forest Koundi is established;
Created a database for the community forest Koundi;
Established a system of traceability of the community forest Koundi;
Trained communities on better utilization of non-timber forest products;
Strengthened the capacity of members of the management office of the community forest Koundi,financial management and management of micro-projects;

The latest progress report for the project is still pending from the Executing Agency.
Achievements, impacts and lessons learned:
The Government of Cameroon will get information for the formulation elaboration of the appropriate policy aiming
to mitigate the problem of illegal logging in Cameroon in compliance with international regulations.
Regions and Departments near Lom and Djerem will benefit from the chain-of-custody system established fortimber products trade to address similar problems.
Local communities will have fair access and rights to forest resources, for poverty reduction Lom and Djerem
through good governance and good management of community forests with a significant impact on local
development.
Communities have their capacity to negotiate with timber traders improved. Northern regions and neigboring
countries will be supplied with legal timber products
During the implementation of the project, training workshops on economic opportunities to use wood waste plants,
better utilization of non-timber forest products, and capacity of members of the management office of thecommunity forest were carried out. In the meantime, the information system on the timber market, the system oftraceability of wood from the community forest Koundi, the database for the community forest Koundi, and thesystem of traceability of the community forest Koundi were established. These achievements will contribute toaddressing the problem of illegal logging in this country.

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Equipping small and medium sized forestry enterprises in China for procurement of tropical timber fromlegal and sustainably managed forests
Project number:

TFL-PD 017/09 Rev.2 (M)Project country:

China

Budget:Total:

US$ 505,036

ITTO Contribution:

US$ 322.056

Government of China:

US$ 112.820

Industry Association (China):

US$ 70.160

Submitted by:

Government of China

Implementing agency: Institute of Forestry Policy and Information, Chinese Academy of Forestry(CAF)
Duration:

36 months

Financed at:

TFLET 3rd Cycle (2010)

Status:Ongoing

Summary:
Small and medium sized wood processing enterprises (SMFEs) in China play a vital role in the domestic andinternational markets for processing wood products as they account for around 90% of the total output value ofChina’s timber enterprises. The project will provide the means for SMFEs to become equipped for procurement oftimber from legal and sustainably managed tropical forests. SMFEs in Zhangjiagang in the Jiangsu Province,
Huzhou and Jiashan in the Zhejiang province and in Shanghai will be surveyed to assess the status of theirprocurement management. Training and advice will be delivered to enterprises along with information (via atechnical bulletin) on marketing, trade, procurement and corporate social responsibility. Policy suggestions will bemade and selected SMFEs will be guided through COC certification. A web-based platform for better
communication between SMFEs, government and other stakeholders will be established.
Progress:
The project implementation formally commenced on 1 May 2011 and the project is well on track in accordancewith the work plan. The following activities have been carried out:
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




The new SMFEs-Government stakeholder Information exchange platform has been set up under thename ‘Forest Products Index Mechanism’.
The periodical information exchange activities between SMFEs and Government officials based onmonthly data and policy exchange had been set up.
Web structure and function designed, and website information updates are in execution.
Reports on “China’s tropical timber processing SMFEs and their opportunities for procurement of timberfrom legal and sustainable managed forest” and “Policy suggestions for promoting procurement of timberfrom legal and sustainable managed forest in SMFEs” have been completed and translated.
Disseminate information on issues related to procurement of tropical timber from legal and sustainably
managed forest and technology for China’s SMFEs has been carried out through Shanghai Timber
Newsletter was released periodically every two month.
The training course on Policies, Regulations and Technology about procurement of timber from legal andsustainably managed forest seminar was held on 10th July 2013 in Beijing and more than 20 participants
including officials from SFA, experts from Universities, NGOs and Associations and enterprises.
The specific proposal for the International Workshop on “procurement of timber from legal andsustainably managed forest and trade of international tropical forest products: challenges andopportunities for SFMEs” was confirmed. The international representatives from tropical timber producing
countries, the domestic representatives and other participants will be invited.
The monthly policy and information exchange platform between SMFEs and stakeholders-the Chinese
Forest Product Index Mechanism(FPI) continued to support the online forum.

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

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A bulletin on issues related to international market demands and trends on procurement of timber
products from legal and sustainably managed forest and US, EU and Japan timber market reports on
legal and sustainably managed forest were disseminated to China’s SMFEs every month for 17 issues (6issues in this period).
Website information updates are in execution
The Workshop on “New environment for the timber industry: change, responsibility, challenges andopportunity” was held. 150 participants, including the international representatives from tropical timber
producing countries and domestic representatives attended the workshop on 23-25 October 2013.
The monthly timber products index, FPI Index, has been released since April 2012, totally there were 27
indexes reports (6 issues in this period) has been issued to the public every month, many public medium
and website transfer it every month.
The ITTO Tropical Timber Market (TTM) Report, an output of the ITTO Market Information Service (MIS),
has been translated into Chinese and disseminated for China’s SMFEs every month for 7 issues since
December 2013.
Taking the advantage of mobile internet, “We-Chat” as a famous and influential Chinese social mobile
network which has more than 600 million user has been incorporated into FPI system. We launched a
FPI “We-Chat Public Account” network which both spread the information and gather readers feedbackin supporting the more efficient information exchange between SMFEs and Government officials.

Achievements, impacts and lessons learned:
This project has provided the means for a close look at Chinese SMFEs especially in the wood flooring
manufacture area in Yangzi River Delta and for finding the gaps in understanding between the EU and US market
demand and the capability of Chinese SMFEs to satisfy these demands.
In terms of filling gaps and helping improve Chinese SMFEs understanding of legality issues and in ensuring only
legal timber is processed this project has made a valuable contribution in the following aspects:
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The establishment of the Forest Products Index Mechanism (FPI)-the Government-Enterprises forum,
which involves government agencies, associations, research institutes and timber product enterprises, isthe first timber information exchange mechanism and online forum in China. The FPI was launched in
March 2012 and well operated and attracted attentions from across the timber sector and the press.
The project has received recognition by both the US and Chinese sides through the China-USA Strategic
Economic Dialogue held in 2012 and 2013. The project was briefed to the dialogue by introducing thebackground, objectives, implementation status and impact.
The project provided a basic ‘platform’ (FPI) and channel for Chinese SMFEs, especially flooringprocessing SMFEs located in Yangtze River Delta area to better appreciate international timber
regulations. The project also identified SMFEs weaknesses and helped improve Government
communication channels as well as the flow of market information. An increasing number of SMFEs is
receiving the periodic bulletin information to obtain market information as well as sustainable informationand policies of EU and US and global timber trade situation.
An increasing number of SMFEs is receiving periodic information through website to obtain market
information as well as sustainable information and policies of EU and US. An increasing number of
SMFEs have made certain communications through the channel bulletin and website to communication
with the government. Beside these, the ‘platform’ also provides a channel for stakeholder communication.
Some associations have connected to this project through the FPI ‘platform and these associations
have helped the EA to connect with SMFEs and timber enterprises.
As the trends of using mobile internet is becoming more and more common and has changed
communication patterns in China particularly since the end of 2013, the EA tried to incorporate the mobileinternet into the activities in order to maximize the coverage and impacts of the project output. The FPI“We-Chat” public account was launched in April 2014 in the mobile internet and was connected to the FPI
website. Through the public account on the mobile internet, FPI data and information have been timely
exchanged and widely spread with an increasing number of users.

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Empowering civil society organizations and other non-state actors to effectively contribute to forest law
compliance in Ghana
Project number:

TFL-SPD 028/12 Rev.1 (M)Project country:

Ghana

Budget:Total:

US$ 188.456

ITTO Contribution:

US$ 147.701

Government of Ghana:

US$ 40.355

Others:US$

Submitted by:

400

Government of Ghana

Implementing agency: WWF West Africa Forest Programme
Duration:

18 months

Financed at:

TFLET 4th Cycle (2012)

Status:Completed

Summary:
Ineffective forest law enforcement and the consequent non-compliance undermine the rule of law, reinforce forest
level corruption and represent major threats to the forest ecosystems and the associated biodiversity in Ghana.
Ineffective forest law enforcement also threatens the livelihoods of local communities and undermines the efforts
of both private and public sector organizations to develop sustainable approaches to forest management. It is
acknowledged that civil society organizations and other non-state actors can play a critical role in ensuring
effective forest law enforcement in Ghana. However, civil society and other non-state actors in the country haveinsufficient knowledge of the established models of legality and sustainability requirements as well as practicalforest operations along the timber supply chain. In addition, civil society organizations’ knowledge of modern toolsof engagement with forest authorities leaves much to be desired. This makes it nearly impossible for civil society
and other non-state actors to play the watchdog role effectively. This intervention is intended to build capacity ofcivil society organizations and other non-state actors on established models of legality and sustainability
requirements, modern tools of engagement and to raise interest of the general public in forest law enforcement so
as to widen compliance with and enforcement of forest laws in the country. The intervention which will be
implemented in the forest zone of Ghana will emphasize a paradigm shift to a proactive civil society that is readyto defend the rights of the poor and to ensure that responsible forest management is not unduly sacrificed
Progress:
The overall objective of the project is to contribute to sustainable development and improved governance in theforest sector of Ghana. Improved governance in the forestry sector has a replica effect on general governanceenvironment in the country. Specifically, the project has the objective to build capacity of civil society
organizations (CSOs) & other non-state actors (NSAs) to contribute to forest law compliance in Ghana throughbetter understanding of the statutory and sustainability requirements along the timber supply chain as well as
training on approaches and methods of engaging forest authorities and forest managers.
To achieve the project specific objective, the following approaches and strategies were employed:
Strategic partnerships: The project brought together WWF, NDF, the Forestry Commission of Ghana (asillustrative by the Agreement between ITTO, Government of Ghana and WWF and the sub-contract agreement
between WWF and NDF), Fabi& Co Ltd, Logs & Lumber Limited, National Forest Forum, Civil Society
Organizations and media houses in a strategic collaboration. This partnership brought together capacity,
expertise and networks that delivered on the project objective and reached relevant stakeholders in the forest
sector of Ghana.
Capacity building: development of technical material and capacity building of civil society and other non-state
actors improved general awareness and knowledge of legal and sustainability requirements that forest managers
and operators are required to adhere to along the timber supply chain. This training on established models of

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legality and sustainability extracted information from Ghana’s Voluntary Partnership Agreement legality
verification manual as well as the Ghana Forest Management Certification Standard (https://ic.fsc.org/download.psuassesment-report-for-ghana.673.pdf). Other critical capacity building approaches that were adopted in theimplementation of the project included training of civil society organizations to be equipped with relevant tools of
engaging forest authorities and concession holders as well as other relevant forest stakeholders in a bid tocontribute to effective forest law enforcement.
Field Study and Learning: In order for civil society organizations and other non-state actors to appreciate andinternalize legal and sustainability requirements and to be able to contribute law enforcement through adherence
to such requirements, the project has adopted a field study approach where participants visited operational sites
in the forest and factory of Logs & Lumber Ltd to acquire first-hand information on the processes involved fromthe forest floor to the ship yard. Staff from the Forest Services Division and the Timber Industry Development
Division took participants through all the requirements that must be met in order for timber to be declared legal
and sustainable.
Production and Publication of a documentary: As part of effort to raise public interest and active participation inforest law enforcement, a short video documentary was produced and broadcasted 8 times on a national TV togive information on the level of forest illegal activities, the socio-economic and environmental impacts on thegeneral public as well as actions that individuals and businesses can take to contribute to forest law compliance in
Ghana. In addition, banners and stickers were produced and distributed to the general public to create theneeded awareness and generate the demand for legally produced forest products in the long term.
Achievements, impacts and lessons learned:
The project was based on solid premises considering the practical challenges of forest law enforcement andcompliance in Ghana. It was identified as critical in filling a gap of capacity of civil society and other non-state
actors to engage and expose forest law enforcement issues. It has been critical in dovetailing into the FLEGTVPA process as well as other civil society initiatives such as the ClientEarth Legal Working Groups and Proforest
training modules on FLEGT verifications.
This project was designed principally with CSOs, CBOs and other non-state actors, such as traditional authorities,
local communities and individual social activists as primary beneficiaries. CSOs and CBOs were closely involvedin project training and field study tours. The training has enhanced their capacity and confidence in terms of
issues to look for along the timber supply chain and also on how to engage forest authorities. It is however
acknowledged that the participation of communities or community members, recognized as essential for building
grass-root vigilantes against illegal appropriation of timber and other forest resources, was not as conspicuous as
the executants had hoped. It was suggested by local stakeholders during project field monitoring and evaluation
visit to replicate the project for local communities using selected forest reserves as pilot.
It is desired that CSOs and industry work consultatively and collaboratively to improve governance and advancethe course of sustainable forest management. This is so because the lack of enforcement and non-compliancewith forest laws is detrimental to the long-term sustainability of the resource. The degradation of the forest
resources has a negative impact on sustainability of industry as well as on revenue sources of the government.
Such a phenomenon also discounts the value of the forest resources for posterity and represents avenue forpotential rent-seeking behavior by actors. This project valued the importance of industry participation in the multistakeholder platform. As primary beneficiary, industry players were involved in project activities throughparticipation in the National Forest Forum. Industry involvement in the forum has improved corporation andrelationship with CSOs and CBOs. Traditional Authorities have participated in the forum annually and suchparticipation has strengthened their voices. The resulting communiqué from participants of the forum waspresented to the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources for study and implementation.
The project has been associated with the National Forest Forum, a platform established to advocate good
governance issues in the forest sector and it has adopted an approach of supporting the participation of industry,
for the first time, in the forum. Being an on-going annual conference of relevant stakeholders, the participation ofindustry and other stakeholders has the impact of enhancing transparency and build dialogue in the sector, which
dialogue the Forestry Commission is willing to fund beyond the project period.

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Improvement of forest law enforcement at the national level to promote forest governance in Guatemala
Project number:

TFL-PD 024/10 Rev.2 (M)Project country:

GuatemalaBudget:Total:

US$ 804.419

ITTO Contribution:

US$ 563.339

Government of Guatemala:US$ 200.880

IUCN:

US$ 40.200

Submitted by:

Government of Guatemala

Implementing agency: National Institute of Forests (INAB)
Duration:

36 months

Financed at:

TFLET 3rd Cycle (2010)

Status:Ongoing

Summary:
The project will improve the effective implementation of sustainable forest management plans in Guatemala,through strengthening the capacity of forest institutions to enforce the forest management legislation and relevant
regulations, as well as through the provision of better services and instruments for the promotion of sustainable
forest management. It will strengthen the capacity of INAB to control forest law enforcement through improvementof observation systems and inter-institutional coordination at the national, regional and local levels. The projectwill increase the involvement of civil society, institutions and local governments in the implementation of activities
aimed at strengthening actions to reduce illegal activities and ensure compliance with current forest laws andregulations, among other activities focused on improving forest governance.
Progress:
Project activities have commenced in February 2012, since then progress has been made as follows:
Output 1: “The National Forest Service has been strengthened in the promotion and monitoring of sustainable
forest management system for law compliance and up-dating the legal framework”
 20 workshops were carried out under activities 1.1, 1.2 to review and updated the forest-related
regulations and processes.
 As a result of the implementation of activities mentioned above, plus a comprehensive review of allpieces of legislation related to harvesting and transportation of timber and timber products, an ‘updated
forestry law’ was promulgated under decree No. 101-96. The updated forestry law it is currently being
distributed among relevant stakeholders. Translation of the forest law into 3 Mayan languages isunderway. The forestry law can also be downloaded at
http://www.inab.gob.gt/Documentos/Legislacion/ley_forestal.PDFOn 28 February 2014, entered into force the ‘regulation for control of forest enterprises’. The regulation
has established an electronic registry for forest enterprises through an online system called ‘Electronic
Forest Enterprises Information System’ (Sistema Electrónico de Información de Empresas forestales –SEINEF) http://seinef.inab.gob.gt/ . Through this system, all forest enterprises in Guatemala can now
submit their reports of timber stocks on-line to the forest authority and expedite all related approvals. As
January 2015 a total of 1,814forest enterprises have been registered The system is available at
http://seinef.inab.gob.gt/
On 28 April 2014, entered into force the ‘regulation for the transport of forest products and their legal
sourcing’.
A total of 63 workshops in nine regions of Guatemala were carried out for training of forest regents and
INAB’s personnel on forest management, covering topics such as land-use, criteria and indicators,
geographical information systems and administrative procedures under the current legislation.

Output 2: “Community and institutional participation mechanisms generated to promote forest governance”
 Activity 2.1 is being carried out since year 1 (instead of year 2 as foreseeing the project document) The project has participated in discussion forums against illegal logging in three regions of the country.

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As part of inter-institutional coordination activities, road inspection of timber consignments and monitoring
visits to forest enterprises continued in 2014 in nine regions of Guatemala. As a result, illegal timber has
been confiscated.
A comprehensive review of all pieces of legislation related to harvesting and transportation of timber andtimber products has also being carried out and finalized.

Output 3: “Information and experiences on sustainable forest management are available to society”
 The extension materials on SFM by forest communities are under preparation.
 A total of 6 workshops on SFM by forest communities have been carried out.
 A total of 7 workshops on forest law enforcement by local communities have been also carried out.
Output 4: “Improved availability of information on forest practices and their impact”
 INAB has developed an online database for the geographical information system for forest activities. As
of December 2014, the database was in the process of being released.
 The following extension materials have been design and are now available in hard and soft copy atwww.inab.gob.gt:
 The regulation for the transport of forest products and their legal sourcing, The regulation for control of forest enterprises
 Manual on community forest management
 Bulletin on forest management and training on forest-related administrative procedures, and forest
governance Printed posters and digital banners on forest environmental services, combat against illegal logging, andforest governance Posters and bulletins on the use of SEINEF and on the electronic issue of a company bill of transport for
timber and timber products
 Spots for radio on forest governance and SFM
 A video on the positive impacts of SMF was produced
 Areas that showcase good practices on SFM have also been selected for dissemination anddemonstration. These areas are for natural forest, forest commercial plantations, and agroforestry
systems.
The systems and tools foreseen in the project will be incorporated into SIFGUA (National Forest Information
System of Guatemala available at www.sifgua.org.gt. SIFGUA is the direct output of a former ITTO financed project
PD340/05 Rev.2 (M), expansion of the current SIFGUA is on-going under another ITTO project, TMT-PD 004/11
Rev.2 (M), thus linking the two projects.
Achievements, impacts and lessons learned:
Several institutions within the Government of Guatemala including the Judicial Authority, the Vice-Presidency of
the Republic, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of
Defense, the National Forest Institute, and the National Association of Municipalities, have signed an interinstitutional agreement to enforce forest law enforcement and combat illegal logging. Key achievements as oftoday include: An ‘updated forestry law’ was promulgated under decree No. 101-96.
 On February 2014, entered into force the ‘regulation for control of forest enterprises’. The regulation has
established an electronic registry for forest enterprises called ‘Electronic Forest Enterprises Information
System (SEINEF)’ http://seinef.inab.gob.gt/
 ‘Regulation for the transport of forest products and their legal sourcing’.
 As part of inter-institutional coordination activities towards forest law enforcement, such as roadinspection of timber consignments and monitoring visits to forest enterprises have been implemented innine regions of Guatemala. As a result, illegal timber has been confiscated.
The project is being linked with activities of other ITTO project TMT-PD 004/11 Rev.2 (I) “Strengthening of theForest Information System of Guatemala to improve market and trade transparency and decision-making in theforest sector”, in particular by incorporating on-line forest management tools, such as administrative procedures,
approvals of forest management plans, bills for transportation of timber, etc. The outputs achieved by the project
as of today and the existing inter-institutional coordination are ensuring project sustainability, as these facilitate
forest law enforcement not only from the point of view of the authorities, but also from the point of view of forest
owners and enterprises involved in harvesting, transportation and processing of timber. Furthermore theITTC(LI)/7
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counterpart contribution to the project has increased in order to ensure a proper capacity of the forest authority inregards to forest law enforcement and governance.

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Development of a program to strengthen the traceability of legally sourced forest products in Guatemala
Project number:

TFL-PPD 040/13 Rev.2 (M)Project country:

GuatemalaBudget:Total:

US$ 94,350

ITTO Contribution:

US$ 74,586

INAB

US$ 19,764

Submitted by:

Government of Guatemala

Implementing agency: National Institute of Forests - INAB
Duration:

11 months

Financed at:

5th TFLET Cycle (2013)

Status:Ongoing

Summary:
It is estimated that more than 95% of forest product flows in Guatemala, or approximately 28.6 million m3 out of
the 30.7 million m3 harvested in 2006, are extracted out of the control of the government (URL, IARNA, 2009.
Integrated Forest Accounting). The lack of information on the domestic market for forest products is widespreadand leads to a lack of transparency. The domestic market for forest products is not very developed and thegeneral public has a limited knowledge of timber uses, which is reflected in low product quality and a lack of
coordination in the secondary processing industry (FAO, 2003. Forest Sector Trends to 2020). This pre-project is
expected to achieve the following objectives:

Improve the traceability and legality of forest products from Guatemalan forests;
Analyze the traceability and legality conditions of forest products in Guatemala and develop a project
proposal to establish effective monitoring and control mechanisms.

Progress:
Activities commenced in November 2014 following signature of the project agreement. The project is expected tobe completed by the end of 2015. At the end of 2014, the project consultant selection process has been
completed and work on activities under Output 1 had commenced. The project team has been constituted and astakeholder consultation meeting had taken place under the auspices of CONESFORGUA (the agency
implementing the project) to ensure different actors know their roles in the project. A cooperation agreement has
been signed between INAB (the government forestry agency) and CONESFORGUA. The consultant has completed
the study of the local forest products marked in consultation with INAB, major industry representatives and otherstakeholders. The final report of the study has been prepared and the project completion report is in preparation.
Achievements, impacts and lessons learned:
The consultant has submitted the final report of the study on the traceability of forest products (market chain,socio-economic impact, route and product flow in three priority regions).
The product obtained provides of compilation of secondary information. The activity was realized based on theElectronic Information System on Forest Enterprises (SEINEF) during the period February 2014 to January 2015.
The main products include 1) Identification of the ten forest products with the largest circulation and transaction
volumes in the three areas; 2) determination of the variables to be defined for each of the main products: 1)
Volume (equivalent to flow), 2) type, 3) actors (type of enterprise), 4) origin (of the primary material entering theenterprise, 5) destination (of products) and 6) routes (possible supply routes).

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Improving forest product monitoring and efficiency through the development of a program toenhance the performance of the primary forest processing industry
Project number:

TFL-PPD 045/13 Rev. 2 (M)Project country:

GuatemalaBudget:Total:

US$ 87,030

ITTO Contribution:

US$ 66,942

INAB

US$ 20,088

Submitted by:

Government of Guatemala

Implementing agency: National Institute of Forests - INAB
Duration:

8 months

Financed at:

6th TFLET Cycle (2013)

Status:Ongoing

Summary:
In Guatemala, it is widely recognized that illegal activities in the forest sector lead to significant loss not only forthe sector but also for Guatemalan society as a whole. Uncontrolled harvesting of firewood and timber is one of
the main causes of the reduction in forest resource volumes. In order to improve forest industry efficiency, skilled
personnel is also needed to develop efficient production lines for existing and innovative products, to conduct
studies on yield, timelines and flows, to optimize processing techniques based on optimal wood cutting and feed
speeds, and to develop work programs. The pre-project is expected to achieve the following objectives:Contribute to improving forest product monitoring and efficiency and enhancing sustainable forest
management in Guatemala.
Provide a standardized methodology to establish primary sawmilling yield levels in the processing ofmajor forest species in Guatemala so as to develop a project proposal aimed at improving primarysawmilling monitoring and control and enhancing processing efficiency and legal marketing of timber.

Progress:
The pre-project has been approved under the 6th TFLET Cycle (2013). The project agreement has been signed
and the inception report has been received by the Secretariat in September 2014. The consultant firm to conduct
the study and develop the technical manual has been identified. Information from the tracking systems used by
INAB has been utilized to determine relevant legal and technical parameter to be considered for the estimation ofefficiency in the forest industries. The methodology has been validated with the forest industries in the four
selected regions of Guatemala and with governmental representatives in each region in charge of the legal
aspects of marketing of forest products. In this way a series of observations was obtained regarding theimplementation of the methodology to be considered for developing the manual and the analysis of information forthe study. Visits have been made to selected forest industries together with staff of the National Institute ofForests in each region to verify the correct application of the methodology designed.
Achievements, impacts and lessons learned:
A database with information obtained has been created and is currently analyzed. Due to the large amount ofdata obtained, the original project timeline has been revised and an extension of approximately 6 months isrequested.

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Strengthening the Capacity of Local Institutions to Sustainably Manage Community Forestry in Sanggau
for Improving Livelihood
Project number:

TFL-PD 032/13 Rev. 2 (M)Project country:

Indonesia

Budget:Total:

US$ 511,730

ITTO Contribution:

US$ 456,680

Government of Indonesia

US$ 55,050

Submitted by:

Government of Indonesia

Implementing agency: Center for Climate Change and Policy Research, Forestry Research andDevelopment Agency (FORDA)
Duration:

24 months

Financed at:

6th TFLET Cycle (2013)

Status:Ongoing

Summary:
Institutional strengthening of Community Forestry is a program dedicated to empower communities who are livingin the surroundings of forest areas. The scheme is aimed at strengthening community institutions. In the Sanggau
district, West Kalimantan, three units of Community Forestry attained permits (IUPHKm) from the District Leader
allowing communities to utilize state forest areas under the production forest function and covering 3,790
hectares, under the condition of applying sustainable forest management principles. The program progress ishowever slow and only 5% of the total target area have been met, which delays the HKm development program inIndonesia. The project is expected to facilitate the empowerment of local communities in the context ofsustainable community forestry management. Main project beneficiaries will be forest communities and otherforest dependent people through improved capacity of community organizations to manage community forests in
Sanggau, which is expected to accelerate the development of HKm program implementation in Indonesia. The
project will contribute to reduced rural poverty, better access to forest resources, increased employment andincome for forest communities, less social conflict and improved social capital among forest communities.
Progress:
The First PSC Meeting was held on 19 January 2015. Under Activity 3.1. the regulations guiding theimplementation of the program of community forestry, which are often poorly understood by local governments,
were disseminated at the Head Office of District Government Sanggau (Kantor Bupati). A meeting on theimportant role of community forestry for the development of the district was organized on the 23 February 2015
chaired by the Head of the District to brief 55 participants including government staff, local NGOs, village leaders
and the community forestry group of IUPHKm. Under activity 3.2.2 the first workshop to strengthen the capacity of
local governments in facilitating the implementation of HKm at Sanggau was conducted on 30 March 2015. The
workshop was attended by 25 participants including representatives from the neighboring Sekadau district. All
participants had responsibility for community development, including representatives from the Department ofIndustry and Trade, village governance, agriculture, forestry and fisheries sector as well as the handicraft
promotion office. Representatives from forest farmer groups were invited to facilitate discussions with the local
government. Under activity 3.3.1 information was collected on existing regulation schemes for Community
Forestry in Indonesia. Each has its own regulations issued by the Ministry of Forestry. Other schemes related tocommunity development are promoted by other ministries, such as the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry ofSocial Affairs or the Ministry of Women Affairs. Field information was collected through discussions with HKm
right holders and other key informants. Under 1.3.2 four training activities were conducted for community groups.
Achievements, impacts and lessons learned:
The meetings conducted have stimulated communication between central-provincial and the district levelgovernments as well as between the government and the right-holder groups of IUPHKm. More meetings are
expected to be organized to deepen the understanding on the concept of HKm and related regulations. A reporton the presentations and discussions is in preparation.

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Strengthening the governance of community forest through improved capacity to adequately perform
timber administration in Java and Nusa Tenggara region in Indonesia
Project number:

TFL-PD 033/13 Rev. 2 (M)Project country:

Indonesia

Budget:Total:

US$ 545,230

ITTO Contribution:

US$ 495,880

Government of Indonesia

US$ 49,350

Submitted by:

Government of Indonesia

Implementing agency: Directorate of Forest Revenues and Forest Product Distribution, Ministry ofForestry
Duration:

24 months

Financed at:

6th TFLET Cycle (2013)

Status:Ongoing

Summary:
The role of timber produced from community forests is increasingly important due mainly to the dwindling supply
of wood from natural forests. The Ministry of Forestry is strengthening forest governance and reducing leakage ofstate tax revenues through the issuance of the Ministerial Decree number No 30/Menhut-II/2012 (June 2012)
outlining a timber administration system from community forestry to primary industry. It regulates the usage of
documents of origin (Surat Keterangan Asal Usul, SKAU) as a tracking system to ensure timber legality. The spiritof these regulations is to simplify the administrative requirements for wood originating from community forests bymaking village heads eligible to issue transport documents, which also legalize the harvested timber. The projectwill improve the administration of timber produced from community forest in the Java and Nusa Tenggara regions.
The expected outputs of the project are: 1) Ministerial Regulation (Permenhut) No. 30/Menhut-II/2012 is properly
implemented; 2) Support of beneficiaries (land owners/farmers, traders and users of timber produced, local
government) by timber administration increased. The effective implementation of the new regulation will help tosustain the forest while at the same time increase collection of forest revenues. The long-term goal of the projectintervention is to improve local economies of forest dependent communities in Java and Nusa Tenggara and to
reduce illegal logging and illegal timber in Indonesia.
Progress:
Under Activity 1.2 the Ministerial Regulation no. P 30/Menhut-II/2012 was reviewed in form of FGD (Focus Group
Discussion), involving 134 participants from 19 districts. Activities 1.1. 1.2 and activities 1.3 were implemented
behind the schedule. Activities 1.3 has been carried out partially and activity 2.3 will be carried out in year two due
to revisions and changes in Ministry Regulation number P. 30/Menhut-II/2012, which will impact the activities tobe undertaken. The regulation concerning the use of certificates of origin (SKAU) for transportation of timber
forest products originating from forest right/privately owned were amended to regulation P. 21/Menhut-2015. The
amendments and changes require additional dissemination at the village level and adjustments to the materials
produced. Target audiences for the capacity building may have to be adjusted.
Achievements, impacts and lessons learned:
Under Activity 1.1 the project has produced practical manuals of Ministerial Regulation No. P. 30/Menhut-II/2012
concerning wood administration of timber harvested from community forestry land in form of posters, a video, afilm and a practical guideline for the dissemination. Dissemination was carried out three times in two provinces(West and Central Java) involving 113 participants from 35 districts. Under Activity 1.3 a first training on skills to
implement Ministerial Regulation No. P. 30/Menhut-II/2012 was provided to 30 village heads from 6 districts. The
training objective was to improve local capacity in the implementation of timber administration system from private
land, including inter alia policy and regulations on timber measurement, identification of timber species timber
grading and timber administration.

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Capacity-building programme to foster law enforcement and local governance over timber use andmarketing activities in the Segou region, Mali
Project number:

TFL-SPD 038/13 Rev.3 (M)Project country:

Mali

Budget:Total:

US$ 178,893

ITTO Contribution:

US$ 149,707

Government of Mali

US$ 29,186

Submitted by:

Government of Mali

Implementing agency: Association for development and self-governance in Mali, ADAM
Duration:

12 months

Financed at:

6th TFLET Cycle (2013)

Status:Ongoing

Summary:
In the Segou region logging is conducted in the forestlands and the timber industry is based on two major supply
basins, i.e. Niono and San. Trends in rural and urban wood consumption and specifically wood energy, on the
one hand and the findings made at field level on the rapid degradation of forest ecosystems on the other hand,
have provided the basis for identifying intervention strategies and priority actions tailored to each area. Strict
adherence to this strategy is to ensure the sustainability of the forest resource base supplying the main large
cities of the region and the timber and fuel wood trade to the capital Bamako and its area. For this purpose, ruralmarkets have been designed and implemented as a tool to achieve the sustainable management of forest
resources. The use and marketing of timber and fuel wood are regulated by the national legislation, but the sector
suffers from inadequate law enforcement, due among other things to the low enforcement capacity of the forestry
administration and the uncontrolled nature of these timber and fuel wood industries. Illegal logging on community
land poses a major challenge for the sustainable management of forest resources, the establishment andmaintenance of efficient markets and sustainable forestry practices in the region. The project is part of thestrategic priorities of the National Forest Policy of Mali; and is aimed at strengthening the capacity of local
communities to enforce forestry legislation and local governance in the area of logging operations and timber andwood marketing, through outreach and education work targeting the stakeholders of the timber industry.
Progress:
The Agreement regulating the project implementation was signed on 14 April 2014. The project inception report
and the Yearly Plan of Operation were approved on 29 April 2014. The project implementation began with the
disbursement of the first instalment on 8 May 2014. The second (and last instalment) was transferred on the 27
January 2015. The PTC meeting was held in June 2015 and the project was achieved on the 20th of July 2015
with the submission of the financial audit and the final report.
Achievements, impacts and lessons learned:
The two outputs of the projects ([i] stakeholders in the wood industry are informed, educated and made aware of
regulations and legislation covering the use, transportation and marketing of wood, and [ii] stakeholders of thewood industry have had their organizational and institutional capacity enhanced around the wood industry interms of wood harvesting, use and trading) based on 5 activities were completely achieved in July 2015. Within
the framework of the first output, the main stakeholders of the timber industry and trade were associated alongwith the project implementation allowing them to share their specific concerns and expectations in theimplementation of the project. 130 participants from local communities (mainly farmers, local harvesters, users offuel wood, traders and retailers of wood, and village operators), resource users organizations, local authorities
and timber industry key players took part to training workshops where they were directly informed on the timber
regulations in the Segou region. Moreover, in order to inform the local population about the timber regulations,radio and television messages (in French and Bambara language) on timber laws were broadcasted during
474 hours over a period of 6 months allowing an estimated 2 million people to be directly informed on the timber

ITTC(LI)/7
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regulations in the Segou region. The laws regulating timber harvesting and trading were translated and printed in
French and Bambara language on prepared manuals. About 100 copies of these manuals were sent to the maintimber industry stakeholders. In the framework of the second output, a database was established in order togather information on local forest resources and on local main timber harvesters and traders. Three staffs of theregional forest administration have been trained to run and develop this database. Overall, the aims of the
projects were the reduction of illegal harvesting, a stronger compliance of the timber trader and harvesters to thetimber regulations in the Segou region and a reinforced cooperation between the local communities and local
governance.

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Strengthening of ANAM’s management capacity to reduce illegal logging and trade in the eastern regionof Panama (Bayano and Darien) through monitoring and control mechanisms
Project number:

TFL-PD 044/13 Rev.2 (M)Project country:

PanamaBudget:Total:

US$ 730,309

ITTO Contribution:

US$ 412,556

WWF Panama

US$ 132,403

ANAM

US$ 185,350

Submitted by:

Government of Panama

Implementing agency: WWF Panama
Duration:

24 months

Financed at:

6th TFLET Cycle (2013)

Status:Pending Agreement

Summary:
The aim of this project is to follow up on one of the outputs of the ITTO-financed project PD 405/06 Rev.3 (F):“Extending the area under sustainable forest management in the forest lands of the Emberá-Wounaan Comarca,
Darien, Panama”, which conducted an analysis and described the institutional, administrative and socio-economic
factors leading to illegal logging in the Eastern Region of Panama (Bayano and Darien) and produced aframework document on guidelines and strategies which require immediate institutional action to arrest
incremental forest degradation caused by illegal logging practices and other unsustainable activities. Therefore,
the main purpose of this project is to contribute to the prevention and control of illegal logging and trade in the
Eastern Region of Panama (Bayano and Darien) by strengthening ANAM’s capacity to ensure efficient andeffective forest sector management and increased community awareness on forest degradation as a result ofillegal logging and related illegal trade in forest products. The project is also complementary to ITTO project‘Tropical Forest Governance in the Region of Darien, Panama’ PD 602/11 Rev.3 (F), which was approved at the49th ITTC and will commence in 2014.
Progress:
The project has been approved under the 6th TFLET Cycle (2013). The agreement regulating the implementationof the project is pending.
Achievements, impacts and lessons learned:
Nothing yet to reportITTC(LI)/7
Page 34
Marketing of timber from legal and sustainable sources by indigenous communities in Ucayali, Peru forthe fair trade market
Project number:

TFL-SPD 029/12 Rev.1 (M)Project country:

Peru

Budget:Total:

US$ 230,291

ITTO Contribution:

US$ 137,941

AIDER:

US$ 92,350

Submitted by:

Government of Peru

Implementing agency: AIDER
Duration:

15 months

Financed at:

TFLET 4th Cycle (2012)

Status:Completed

Summary:
The local native communities (NCs) currently have FSC certification for the management of their forests, which
produce timber at a small scale and in less than optimal conditions to meet market requirements. The FSC market
demands the same quantity and quality standards as ordinary markets, a requirement the communities cannot
meet as they operate with low production capacity and low environmental impact equipment and machinery. In
this context, it is necessary to assist the native communities to penetrate specific markets that pay a fair price forthe timber they produce so as to improve their income levels. The fair trade market does not demand highproduction volumes and pays a higher price for timber of demonstrated legal and sustainable origin. This project,
to be implemented in the Department of Ucayali, located in the Peruvian Amazon Region, is aimed at enabling
seven Shipibo Conibo indigenous communities to improve their marketing of timber from legal and sustainablesources with a view to penetrating the fair trade market. The forest enterprise management capacity of community
members will be improved and an innovative joint production and marketing strategy will be implemented on thebasis of strategic partnerships with private companies. Improved CoC procedures will be established andadjusted to fair trade production standards. By the end of the project, there will be a validated community forest
enterprise model that will contribute to improved forest governance in the Department of Ucayali. It should be
stressed that the innovative approach of this project lies in the enterprise-community partnership to be developed
as this type of alliance has so far been successful in the timber sector of Peru. In addition, this would represent
the first Fair Trade Market experience in the country's forest sector.
Progress:
The project aims to contribute to sustainable production and legal timber trade in the Peruvian Amazon including
strengthening forest governance. IT has been providing technical assistance to the beneficiary communities in theuse of chain of custody, preparation and presentation of management plans before the Forestry and Wildlife
Directorate, and timber production, as a first step to supply certified timber company CITEINDIGENA SRL andsubsequent processing and marketing The chain of custody system has been developed based on standards forcertified forests. The project has developed forest management plans for the community controlled forests which
are pending before the forest authority. The re-design of administrative procedures of the company experienced
some delays because the hiring of a new manager took two months later than planned. Updating the website of
the company has been done with the inclusion of information from community members.
Achievements, impacts and lessons learned:
The following achievements have been recorded during project implementation:
 Manual of chain of custody procedures updated and disseminated.
 21 operators from 7 communities and the city of Pucallpa trained on proper sawing and timber drying
techniques
 Manual of administrative and accounting procedures developed and implemented
 70 community members trained in applying business management tools
 Business plan developed

ITTC(LI)/7
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






Participation in world forest Fairtrade event
The company CITEINDIGENA SRL, representing 7 communities operating as Communal Producers
Association-Certified Wood (PROMACER) has established a strategic alliance to access the Fairtrade
market for certified wood products
Production and marketing of 2100 cubic meters of wood in compliance with FSC and Fairtrade
Income of indigenous families involved was increase by up to 100%
Operations plan of CITEINDIGENA SRL has been adapted to Fairtrade standards
CITEINDIGENA SRL has applied for the Fairtrade certification

The sustainability of project outputs is ensured by the agreement between the communities and CITEINDIGENA
SRL, which is mutually beneficial. The contribution of AIDER (the executing agency of the project) is primarily
directed to providing support and capacity building to community members to be able to undertake the required
forest management plans and to engage with the Fairtrade process, thereby ensuring that they will continue with
their engagement with Fairtrade markets for certified forest products after project completion.
Six native communities maintain Voluntary Forest Certification and are implementing standard processes of fairtrade. In addition, the native community of New Samaria has strengthened its expertise in production techniques,
including drying, classification, fair trade and voluntary certification. Seven native communities are now managing
their forests based on general forest management plans. The project has good potential for duplication andreplication in Amazonia due to the large number of native communities with forest areas which can develop
schemes for community forestry, voluntary forest certification and fair trade.

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Improved governance and implementation of transparent negotiation mechanisms for indigenous
community forestry in Atalaya (Ucayali)
Project number:

TFL-SPD 030/12 Rev.1 (M)Project country:

Peru

Budget:Total:

US$ 191,263

ITTO Contribution:

US$ 131,236

Government of Peru:

US$ 10,800

Atalaya Local Government

US$

Helvetas Swiss Intercooperation

US$ 40,227

Submitted by:

9,000

Government of Peru

Implementing agency: Helvetas Swiss Intercooperation
Duration:

12 months

Financed at:

TFLET 4th Cycle (2012)

Status:Completed

Summary:
The province of Atalaya, in the Department of Ucayali (Peru) covers 3,892,443 ha of tropical forests, including
more than a million hectares of forests rich in high commercial value species, which are home to more than
50 indigenous communities. Illegal timber logging and trade represents one of the most serious threats to theindigenous communities’ forests and to their socio-economic development expectations, maintaining andexacerbating their situation of poverty and extreme poverty (Veeduria 2011)1. This situation is perpetuatedbecause the community leaders that negotiate timber logging contracts do not have the tools required to assess
the value of the forest resources harvested from their lands and do not have sufficient knowledge about thelegislation to establish fair and transparent contracts with third parties. Furthermore, the indigenous organizationsof Atalaya do not have the necessary capacity to assist their member communities and do not have acommunications system in place to help them be informed. Thus, the project will contribute to improve community
forest governance by promoting the implementation of the Community Forest Watch mechanism in the provinceof Atalaya so as to provide technical assistance to indigenous communities and enable them to negotiate withthird parties in a transparent, equitable and legal manner for the harvesting of their forest resources. This will inturn help to curb illegal logging in the territories of the communities. In addition, an integrated communications/outreach program will be implemented in support of forest governance in the Atalaya area. The primary
beneficiaries of this project will be 20 indigenous communities and the indigenous organization CORPIAA.
Progress:
Implementation of this project commenced in November 2013 and all activities have been completed. The project
has organized Community Forestry Oversight Atalaya within CORPIAA and developed its rules. CORPIAA has
developed the VFC Act which involved all CORPIAA partners who agreed to form the VFC, all of whom signed
the act. The VFC Act has been enrolled/registered in the Public Records Act. The definition of the structure of the
VFC has been prepared and approved at a meeting of CORPIAA. The sustainability of project outputs is ensured
by the inclusion of the VFC Act in Peru’s Public Records, ensuring government recognition of community control
over affected forest areas. The strong involvement and engagement of local communities through CORPIAA willcontinue beyond project completion, as will the inputs and assistance of the implementing agency (HELVETAS
Swiss Intercooperation).
Achievements, impacts and lessons learned:
The following achievements have been recorded during project implementation to date: Organization of Community Forestry Oversight Atalaya within CORPIAA and development of its rules
 CORPIAA has developed the VFC Act; this involved all CORPIAA partners who agreed to form theVFC, all of whom signed the act Enrollment/registration of the VFC Act in the Public Records Act

ITTC(LI)/7
Page 37Definition of the structure of the VFC prepared and approved at a meeting of CORPIAA
15 communications products developed (videos, brochures, etc) on governance of forest resources
and widely disseminated80 indigenous leaders (including 40 women) trained in forest valuation and contract negotiation

A number of technical reports and manuals are available from the ITTO project search tool at
http://www.itto.int/project_search/.
The sustainability of project outputs is ensured by the inclusion of the VFC Act in Peru’s Public Records, ensuring
government recognition of community control over affected forest areas. The strong involvement and engagementof local communities through CORPIAA will continue beyond project completion, as will the inputs and assistanceof the implementing agency (HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation)

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Enhancing Forest Law Enforcement in Papua New Guinea
Project number:

PD 449/07 Rev.2 (M,I)

Project country:

Papua New Guinea

Budget:Total:

US$ 473,040

ITTO Contributions:

US$ 473,040

Submitted by:

PNG

Implementing agency: ITTO
Duration:

24 months

Financed at:

TFLET pre-cursor

Status:Completed

Summary:This project was approved and financed by the Council at its Forty-third Session in November 2007.
The development objective of this project is to further improve PNG’s sustainable forest management regime byenhancing forest law enforcement and governance in the forestry sector. The specific objective is to enhance aforest law enforcement regime including products tracking and chain of custody verification systems,
complemented by enhanced training and monitoring, to further support sustainable forest management in PNG’sforestry sector.
Progress:
Following the signature of the project agreement on 19.05.2008 and the disbursement of the first installment offunds, the project experienced some delay due to the need to replace some project staff and consultants. After
necessary adjustments/revisions to the work plan and YPO, the implantation of on the ground activities
commenced on 1 August 2010.
The implementation of this project has experienced a substantial delay due to the replacement of project
personnel and the preparation for the Project Completion Report and the Technical Reports. The Implementing
Agency has finalized and re-submitted the Project Completion Report and the Technical Reports in July 2014 but
is still working on the Final Financial Audit Report.
According to the Completion Report outputs were achieved as follows:






A pilot log and timber tracking and chain of custody verification system was designed and built to meetthe needs of the PNGFA. Field testing was carried out to trial the system and test implementation of thesystem;A database to capture and store log and timber products flow information developed and tested for
implementation. An integrated system was prepared which included a database to store timber productinformation. The database was developed and tested as a component of the system developed;
A legality standard based on FLEGT/ITTO Best Practices guidelines and principles, and industry code of
conduct has been developed for implementation in PNG in collaboration with key stakeholders. This
output will be fully realized when the final versions have been approved by the National Forest Board
towards the end of 2013;
A training module for enhancing the skills and expertise of key stakeholders particularly the PNGFA andforestry industry participants in the monitoring of forestry activities to deter and detect illegal practices has
been developed and implemented. This output will be fully realized when the final versions have been
approved by the National Forest Board towards the end of 2013.

Achievements, impacts and lessons learned:
The Project has given Papua New Guinea (PNG) the opportunity to further enhance its forest law enforcement.
The project has provided the PNG Forest Authority (PNGFA) with a sound basis for implementing a Legality
Assurance System that responds to timber procurement policies and stakeholder objectives.

ITTC(LI)/7
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Identification and implementation of the project was adequate and timely for the PNG Forest Industry sector to
realign and enhance its operating mechanisms to meet market demands. A timber tracking and chain of custodysystem including a timber products database has been developed and pilot-tested in PNG proving that this can beachieved.
The system developed shows the manner in which a system can be implemented in PNG when a suitable sourceof implementation funding has been developed and has to run in parallel to the existing system to be successful.
A legality standard based on FLEGT guidelines and principles, together with an industry code of conduct“template”, has been prepared for future implementation in PNG. A set of monitoring tools incorporating theexisting PNGFA Logging Code of Practice as reference points in the monitoring forms to enable independent
verification. This has also been developed and pilot-tested for assessing forest industry participant compliancewith PNG’s Timber Legality Standard.

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Chain of Custody Verification for Timber Processors in Papua New Guinea
Project number:

TFL-SPD 043/13 Rev. 1 (M)Project country:

Papua New Guinea

Budget:Total:

US$ 163,160

ITTO Contribution:

US$ 147,280

PNGFIA

US$ 15,880

Submitted by:

Government of Papua New Guinea

Implementing agency: Papua New Guinea Forest Industries Associaton (PNGFIA)
Duration:

12 months

Financed at:

6th TFLET Cycle (2013)

Status:Inception Phase

Summary:
The project will develop and pilot a Chain of Custody (CoC) system based on the international standard managed
by the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC), customised for use by PNG timber
processors. This customised standard will facilitate access to international markets for PNG timber processors.
The project will build on the outputs of ITTO project PD 449/07 Rev.2 (M) (“Enhancing Forest Law Enforcement in
PNG”). PD 449/07 Rev.2 (M) has established a generic legality standard for PNG; however this standard does notincorporate a Chain of Custody component. The project will provide a CoC component, such that together the
outputs of the two projects will provide PNG timber companies with the tools needed to meet regulatory
requirements of key international export markets
Progress:
The project has been approved under the 6th TFLET Cycle (2013). The project agreement has been signed in
October 2014 and the project is in the inception phase.
Achievements, impacts and lessons learned:
Nothing yet to reportITTC(LI)/7
Page 41
REDDES
Monitoring deforestation, logging and land use change in the Pan Amazonian Forest,
PANAMAZON II
Project number:

RED-PD 029/09 Rev.1 (F)Project country:

PanAmazonian

Budget:Total:

US$ 6,262,784

ITTO Contribution:

US$ 1,124,784

ACTO Contribution:

US$ 1,389,600

ACTO Member Countries:

US$ 3,748,400

Submitted by:

Government of Brazil

Implementing agency:

Amazon Cooperation Treaty Agency (ACTO)

Duration:

48 months

Financed at:

REDDES 2nd Cycle (2009)

Status:Ongoing

Summary:
The project will address constrains that are limiting the use of the Indicator of the Forest Cover byimplementing national monitoring systems as a key element so as to increase the governance in the
Amazon. In order to facilitate countries interaction and integrated action in boundary zones the project will
strengthen the dialogue and coordination platforms linked to the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization(ACTO). The project is divided in three components:

Coordination of participatory processes for the development of Forest Cover National Monitoring
Systems;
Implementation of Forest Cover National Monitoring Systems; andStrengthening of the existing platforms for regional dialogue and coordination on forest
management, with focus on forest cover monitoring with the possibility to include other criteria andindicators for sustainable forest management.

The systems will make use of the technology platform developed by the Government of Brazil and themethodology already adopted in this country will be considered for the implementation of the National
Systems. Furthermore, the project will contribute to the improvement of knowledge in the sector, to sharenew technologies, to prioritize lines of action for the regional cooperation and to share experiences on theenforcement of forest laws.
Progress:
The installation of the Observation Rooms (ORs) in each country has been completed and the Observation
Rooms are operational. The preparation and validation of national plans to monitor forest cover is inprogress. The capacity building components (training courses) have been completed, while the technicalassistance provided to system users is a permanent activity. The monitoring of regional activities andpromotion of information exchange is a permanent activity initialized and supported by the project. The
production of regional deforestation maps is ongoing with input from the participating countries, depending
on availability of images. At the national level countries are evaluating the causes of deforestation andforest degradation. With the approval of the additional resources from the National Bank for Economic andSocial Development (BNDES), for the continuation of the project activities initialized under this project, theoperation of the established national observation rooms has become a permanent activity. That funding
also provides for adequate regional forums for technical discussions among technical staff of the ORs andregular ‘Regional Encounters’ are held. The Project Regional Coordination Unit, together with the national
coordination agencies is permanently coordinating and supporting regional discussions

ITTC(LI)/7
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Achievements, impacts and lessons learned:
In May 2013, the Board of the National Bank for Economic and Social Development (BNDES), through the
Amazon Fund approved an amount of Brazilian Reais R$ 23 million or approximately US$ 11.8 million to
ACTO to ensure the continuation and expansion of the activities initialized under RED-PD 029/09 Rev.1(F). Over a five year period, the new ACTO project on ‘Monitoring of forest cover in the Amazon Region’will continue the structuring and implementation of the established observation rooms, provide access toforest cover monitoring technology, support the development of national monitoring plans, and foster the
improvement, harmonization and standardization of institutional capacities to assess land use changes in
the participating countries. Continuing the efforts under RED-PD 029/09 Rev.1 (F) and utilizing theinfrastructure established under the ITTO project, it will support regional cooperation to combat illegal
logging and exchange of experiences related to public policy instruments to reduce deforestation. The
expected project results are a direct contribution to the objectives of the UN-REDD programme throughimproved control of deforestation and forest degradation, and through the strengthening of monitoring
systems and provision of data from all participating countries. The importance of RED-PD 029/09 Rev 1 (F)and is impact on the forest conservation on the Amazon Region has been highlighted by the Governmentsof Germany and the Netherlands to the extent that the results of its technical cooperation with ACTO in theimplementation of the Regional Project to Monitoring Deforestation encouraged the German TechnicalCooperation GIZ to conduct, with technical input from INPE, a regional meeting about monitoring
deforestation where similar experiences, to ACTO´s in the Amazon region, like others in Latin America,
Africa, Asia and Eastern Europe were shared and discussed (INPE-PRA/GIZ International Workshop, Sao
Jose dos Campos, Brazil, 31 Oct – 1 Nov 2013). The importance and relevance of the project and its
continuation under BNDES/ACTO has also been highlighted by the meeting of the ACTO Foreign Relations
Ministers (e.g. in Ecuador, May 2013).

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Developing REDD+ES in the Brazilian Atlantic Rain Forest
Project number:

RED-SPD 058/11 Rev.2 (F)Project country:

BrazilBudget:Total:

US$ 164,610

ITTO Contribution:

US$ 142,110

Instituto BioAtlantica (IBio)

US$

Fibria, Brazil

US$ 18,750

Submitted by:

Government of Brazil

Implementing agency:

Instituto Terra

Duration:

12 months

Financed at:

REDDES 3rd Cycle (2011)

Status:Pending agreement

3,750

Summary:
Due to its exceptional biological diversity, the Brazilian Atlantic Rain Forest is among the five top priority
conservation areas in the world. The biome hosts 80% of the Brazilian GNP and is home to more than 110
million people (or 60% of the Brazilian population), who depend on key environmental services producedby forests, such as fresh water, clean air, and climate stability. Due to deforestation activities, only 7% of
the Atlantic Forest original vegetation is left. To further protect and recover the forest, additional incentives
and financial resources, including sales of carbon credits, must be identified and channeled to landowners
and local communities. REDD+ is a promising mechanism with the potential to assist the conservation andrecovery of forests, however requirements for the development of on-the-ground projects are very technicaland complex. This proposal aims to identify the potential of using the REDD+ mechanism to help restore
and preserve the Atlantic Forest.
Progress:
The project has been approved under the REDDES 3rd Cycle (2011). The project has been facing
difficulties as the key collaborating agency had unexpectedly declined to participate in the project. Instituto
Terra has now been identified and agreed as Executing Agency for the project and the project agreement
has been prepared and dispatched for signature.
Achievements, impacts and lessons learned:
Nothing yet to reportITTC(LI)/7
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Participatory development, conservation and rehabilitation of degraded forest areas in the
Bamboutos Mountain chain, West Cameroon
Project number:

RED-PPD 050/11 Rev.1 (F)Project country:

Cameroon

Budget:Total:

US$ 93,713

ITTO Contribution:

US$ 73,613

Government of Cameroon

US$ 20,100

Submitted by:

Government of Cameroon

Implementing agency:

MINFOF

Duration:

8 months

Financed at:

REDDES 3rd Cycle (2011)

Status:Completed

Summary:
The degradation of the mountain ecosystem in the Bamboutos Range, the ‘water tower’ of the West
Cameroon region, an area with high cultural tourism potentials which acts as a climate-control system, hasreached a critical threshold during past twenty years. The cause of this degradation process has been
ascribed to a combination of three main factors, i.e. climate variability, the fragility of this particular
ecosystem and population pressure. The pre-project aims to provide for the development of a strategic
framework for sustainable management of the regional forests on the basis of a consensus that takes into
account the interests of all stakeholders in generating an integrated management plan that includes apriority action plan. Such action plan will contribute to improving the welfare of communities, mitigate thedegradation of the ecosystem and implement the restoration process. The implementation of this preproject will also remove the constraints hindering the process of classification as Integral Reserve, currently
under way in the region
Progress:
The Agreement regulating the implementation of the pre-project was signed on 17 April 2012. An
acceptable Inception Report and related Detailed Work Plan, as well as the selection of experts andsubcontractors required at the beginning of the pre-project implementation, were submitted and approvedby the ITTO Secretariat. The pre-project implementation started with the disbursement of the first
installment of ITTO TP funds on 23 January 2014. As an acceptable pre-project completion report wasreceived in July 2015, the duration of the pre-project implementation had lasted 19 months instead of 8
initially designed by the Executing Agency. The delay in completing the pre-project activities was mainly
due to the internal bureaucratic process within the ministry of forestry of Cameroon, for the designation ofmembers of the pre-project implementing team. In accordance with the elements of the pre-project
document, technical reports prepared by consultants and completion report, all pre-project activities werecarried out and contributed to the achievement of the two following planned outputs:
Output 1: Socio-economic and environmental surveys had been implemented and data made available for:
 A national consultant had prepared an environmental study report of the target area of the future
project, containing the relevant information and data compiled during the pre-project
implementation, with the involvement of main stakeholders (sedentary farmers,
nomadic/transhumant cattle stock breeders, traditional Chiefs, local Authorities, environmental
NGOs representatives, etc.): and A socioeconomic study in the area of the Bamboutos Mountain Range had been conducted by anational consultant in the target area of the future project to be derived from the implementation ofthis pre-project. It had been an opportunity for the sensitization campaigns of main stakeholders inorder to explain to them the importance of rehabilitating the degraded lands of the Bamboutos
Mountain Range through the implementation of a future project to be prepared with the findings
and results of this pre-project.

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Output 2: A full project proposal had been formulated, validated and submitted to ITTO Secretariat
 The project proposal, dealing with the project on participatory development, conservation andrehabilitation of degraded forest areas in the Bambotous Mountain Chain, in the Western Provinceof Cameroon, was developed and validated by main stakeholders. The project proposal title was:“Participatory Development, Conservation and Rehabilitation of Degraded Forest Landscapes in
the Bamboutos Highlands, West Cameroon”; and It was submitted to ITTO and assessed by the 50th meeting of Expert Panel for the technicalappraisal of project and pre-project proposals regarding the ITTO Regular Project Cycle and rated
Category 2.
Achievements, impacts and lessons learned:

The main pre-project achievement and impact had been dealing with the awareness of key
stakeholders on the need to get them be part of the solution, as most of them had been part of the
problem regarding the forest land degradation of the Bamboutos Mountain Range.
Those stakeholders had been sensitized on the importance of the participatory approach for the
implementation of the future project as a contribution to combat deforestation and forest
degradation in the Bamboutos Mountain Range.

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Demonstration on investigation and assessment of typical forest ecotourism resources in
Hainan province, China
Project number:

RED-SPD 075/12 Rev.1 (F)Project country:

China

Budget:Total:

US$ 199,000

ITTO Contribution:

US$ 145,800

Government of China:

US$ 53,200

Submitted by:

Government of China

Implementing agency:

Chinese Academy of Forestry, Division of Forest Resource Information
Techniques

Duration:

18 months

Financed at:

REDDES 4th Cycle (2012)

Status:Completed

Summary:
Forest ecotourism is an important part of the construction of the Hainan International Tourism Island.
Forest ecotourism is an important and effective way to enhance environmental services and local
livelihoods in the province and investigation and assessment of tropical forest ecotourism resources is themost important step for implementing and promoting ecotourism. Six typical tropical forest ecotourism
resources at the forest landscape and/or forest community level will be selected as demonstration objects
to assess the potential of developing tropical forest ecotourism. A sound methodology for investigating andassessing tropical forest ecotourism resources in the Hainan Province will be developed through reviewing
relevant knowledge and best practices and participatory multi-stakeholders consultation process. A
comprehensive assessment report on the six typical forest ecotourism resources will be published andcirculated to interested parties in China.
Progress:
The main project activities implemented to achieve the two outputs include the following:
Output 1: Methodology for investigating and assessing tropical forest ecotourism resources based on
stakeholders’ participationCollected and analyzed relevant international and national literature and cases on tropical forest
ecotourism developments
A draft methodology for investigating and assessing tropical forest ecotourism resources in Hainan
Province was finalized through several consultative meetings with key stakeholders in theProvince.

Output 2: Investigation and assessment report on 6 typical forest ecotourism resources in Hainan Province
based on stakeholders’ participation
 6 typical ecosystems of forest ecotourism resources (2 at forest landscape level, 3 at forest
community level and 1 at individual forest level) in Diaoluoshan National Forest Park in Hainan
Province were chosen.
 An investigation of the 6 typical ecosystems of forest ecotourism resources in Diaoluoshan
National Forest Park was carried out to improve the design and implementation of forest
ecotourism programmes in Hainan Province.
Achievements, impacts and lessons learned:
The project has been successfully implemented to achieve its specific objective and there were no major
deviations from them. The project has delivered all expected outputs and produced a reference bookentitled “Guide on Collection for Inventory and Assessment of Forest Recreation Resources in USA” inITTC(LI)/7
Page 47
Chinese in 2015 by China Forestry Publishing House. The project also produced two scientific articles:
namely, 1) Research Progress on Classification, Investigation and Evaluation of Forest Tourism Resource(in Chinese) in World Forestry Research (2014, 27(6): 8~13); and 2) Valuation and Payments for Forest
Ecosystem Service: Concepts, Principles, and Indicators (in Chinese) in Journal of China Agriculture
University (2014, 19(5): 263~268). The project team prepared an article entitled “The Sustainability ofPayments for Environmental Services (PES) of Natural Production Forests: Lessons Learned from MaohuiCommunity, Hainan, China”. The paper was accepted by the 2015 World Forestry Congress, Durban,
South Africa and it can be found at the WFC website:
http://foris.fao.org/wfc2015/api/file/55476332e52d79267e89a5c2/contents/8c0e7665-e133-428a-b2a7-6c446069ee26.pdf

The project has improved the research capacity of the Executing Agency relating to the development offorest-based ecotourism and enhanced their technical knowledge and skills to conduct tropical forest
ecotourism research more effectively. The achievements of the project will contribute to future policy
development for eco-tourism in south China based on sound methods for investigating and assessing
tropical forest ecotourism resources at forest management unit levels. One of the important lessons
learned from the implementation of the project include that support of the local stakeholders, especiallylocal communities in Diaoluoshan National Forest Park and local forestry agency of Hainan Forestry
Department was essential to the efficient implementation of a participatory multi-stakeholders consultation
process. A combination of top-down and bottom-up approaches was an essential means of implementationof the project activities. To ensure the sustainability of the project after its completion, the Executing
Agency has formulated a list of future PES research plans which will be pursued by extending theoutcomes and lessons from the project. The Diaoluoshan National Forest Park (project area) has set up a
special management unit and extension work framework to maintain and enhance the protection andsustainable management of the demonstration forests in collaboration with local communities in order toincrease the long-term sustainability of the project.

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Integrating sustainable livelihoods, environmental mortgages, and science-based reforestation for
tangible forest conservation change in the Ecuadorian Chocó
Project number:

RED-SPD 055/11 Rev.1 (F)Project country:

EcuadorBudget:Total:

US$ 207,744

ITTO Contribution:

US$ 149,922

Government of Ecuador

US$ 25,222

OthersUS$ 32,600

Submitted by:

Government of Ecuador

Implementing agency:

Pinchot Institute for Conservation

Duration:

24 months

Financed at:

REDDES 3rd Cycle (2011)

Status:Completed

Summary:
In one of Ecuador’s two remaining Chocó forest expanses, a new economic incentives program will be pilot
tested, aimed at permanently reversing deforestation by facilitating livelihood improvements that are
intrinsically linked to environmental stewardship. Toward creating a viable economic alternative for the
reserve’s 50-some rural communities, the current cacao market system will be revamped. Required funding
for achieving this aim will be run through the new “environmental mortgages” microfinance model, in whichlines of credit are calculated against the conservation value of a community’s surrounding de facto
environmental assets. The rural poor typically have no access to globally perceived existence values (e.g.
carbon offsets, biodiversity) of these assets, which are often their most valuable. Tying the capital in alending trust to that value creates incentives for sustainability, while providing the financial resources
needed to climb out of poverty. The two year initiative will focus on developing and implementing theenvironmental mortgages framework in three reserve communities. Year one will focus on necessary due
diligence (socio-political analyses, asset monitoring/evaluation protocols, microfinance details, market
development) and community organization. Year two we will pilot the program.
Progress:
The Project Agreement regulating the implementation of the small project was duly signed on 22 August
2012. The Project Inception Report and the Detailed Work Programme have been received and approvedby the ITTO Secretariat and the first disbursement of funds was transferred to the Executing Agency on 24
August 24, 2012, after project staff and consultants were put in place and the Secretariat was notified thatthe project was ready to commence its activities.
Technical Progress:
The Project Agreement regulating the implementation of the small project, was duly signed on August 22,
2012. Project activities took place without delays in its scheduled 24 months, so the EA delivered the Final
Report in November 2014. The final audit and the article were delivered by the EA at the end of August
2015. During the course of the project, the need for operational changes was noted. These changes were
presented and justified at the PSC meeting, including working with only two communities instead of three,
and the simplification of the exchange system, avoiding the financial component.
Technical Progress:
The work implemented during the reporting period focused on the following main activities:
1. GIS mapping and classification of land uses was achieved through the comprehensive mapping of
the territories of all stakeholders in the communities of Mono Bravo and Guayacán;
2. The formalization of terms for the first exchange between conservation and livelihoods

ITTC(LI)/7
Page 49

3.
4.
5.
6.

improvements has progressed through the fixing of 200 and 600 hectares forest preserved at thecommunities of Mono Bravo and Guayacán, respectively;
The implementation of the first exchange conservation-improvements to livelihoods, through thecontractual formalization with the Mono Bravo community;
continued negotiations with potential buyers of cocoa, including visits of two chocolate companies;
Resolution of problems with the two pilot communities, originated mainly by previous bad
experiences, lack of unity and divergence of interests between the community members; andRaising of additional funds to ensure continued post-pilot project has been undertaken.

Achievements, impacts and lessons learned:
Specific results achieved by the project are as follows: In participating in the pilot community Mono Bravo, 14 of 34 (41.2%) cacao-farming households
were formally affiliated with the cooperative formed as a result of this project ("ASMOBRA,"
Asociacion de Productores Mono Bravo).
 Direct conservation–livelihood trades (see sections above) have replaced the project’s lending
component; at project completion, ASMOBRA had engaged in a total of two conservation–
livelihood trades. Each of the two trades was multi-faceted, completing more than a single market
system overhaul step in exchange for a substantive proportion of community forest holdings:
 Two hundred hectares of conserved primary forest in exchange for the construction of adrying/fermenting center to enable export-quality cacao, a direct/confirmed linkage to aninternational buyer, capacity-building in technical and administrative skills required to run
the drying/fermenting center, and facilitation of the legal registry process for a cacao
producer's cooperative in Ecuador.
 One hundred hectares of conserved primary forest in exchange for the third-party organic
certification required by cacao buyer Original Beans and the implementation of volumeincreasing production techniques (comprehensive trimming campaign, planting of shadetrees, and use of organic fertilizers, pesticides, and fungicides) to triple current harvests.
 Participating cacao cooperative ASMOBRA has completed two necessary steps in the cacao
market overhaul, with a total of four steps initiated (meaning that all identified system
improvements for market overhaul have been initiated): Construction of a drying/fermenting center to enable export-quality cacao: completed.
 Confirmed linkage to an international cacao buyer: completed.
 Acquisition of third-party organic certification: initiated.
 Volume-increasing production techniques, training and application: initiated.
 Of the total 495 hectares of primary forest holdings in pilot community Mono Bravo, 300 hectares
are now formally designated as environmental assets under participation in the environmental
mortgages program, representing 60.6% of the community's total forest holdings.
 As described in above sections, the project's reforestation component was postponed for post-pilot
phases of the program; as such, no degraded lands surrounding pilot communities are currently
under reforestation as environmental asset "extensions" of the program.
 The project's lending component has been replaced by direct conservation–livelihood trades (seesections above); financing required to pay for specific livelihood improvement services was
acquired via budget reprogramming and fundraising efforts during the project's duration. Currently
it is being augmented for post-pilot phases via both further fundraising and a potential voluntarycarbon offsets agreement. Ecuador's SocioBosque program will not be employed due to thelengthy commitment required for participation (20 year minimum contract durations).

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Page 50
Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation through Collaborative Managementwith Local Communities
Project number:

RED-PD 026/09 Rev.1 (F)Project country:

Ghana

Budget:Total:

US$ 760,408

ITTO Contribution:

US$ 658,716

Government of Ghana

US$ 101,692

Submitted by:

Government of Ghana

Implementing agency:

Forestry Research Institute of Ghana (FORIG)

Duration:

48 months

Financed at:

REDDES 2nd Cycle (2009)

Status:Ongoing

Summary:
The project aims to contribute to sustainable management and conservation of Ankasa Conservation area
to improve the provision of environmental services and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The
Ankasa Conservation area incorporates the Nini-Suhien National Park and the Ankasa Resource Reserveand is considered as the most biologically diverse forest ecosystem in Ghana. The project specificallyintends to develop and implement participatory, good governance and management system for the Ankasa
conservation area, determine the financial value of the environmental services as well as methods formeasurement, assessment reporting and verification (MARV) for forest carbon. The project will be
participatory and thus will build on a high level community involvement and capacity building.
Progress:
The Project Agreement regulating the implementation of the project was duly signed on 05 April 2010. An
Inception Report and related first Yearly Plan of Operation were submitted on 15 April 2010 and approved.
The Project implementation began with the disbursement of the first installment of TP funds on 20 April
2010. The project extension was granted until April 2015 and a second one until September 2015 in order
to allow the completion of all activities. In accordance with the project’s most recent progress report and themonthly highlights submitted through the project on-line monitoring system, progress in project
implementation (by output) can be summarized as follows:
Output 1: Participatory management system developed and implemented
1.1 Identification of management system of areas surrounding conservation area
The compilation of the findings and results derived from the reconnaissance surveys, undertaken in the
Ankasa Conservation Area (ACA), in order to identify different management systems being
implemented, has been undertaken while taking into account relevant remarks made by experts
consulted for review. These reconnaissance surveys covered the following nine (9) local communities:
Amokwaw, Fia, Nungua-Cocoatown, Tweakor Navrongo, Aiyinasi-Ayawora, Ohiamadwen-Fiasoro,
Asomasi, Naptoma and New Adiembra, surrounding the project area (Ankasa Conservation Area).
1.2 Identification of relevant local stakeholders
Local consultation committees had become operational, after being either put in place or reactivated, inthese nine abovementioned local communities, surrounding the Ankasa Conservation Area.
1.3 Strategic analysis of the drivers of forest degradation and deforestation in the Conservation area
The compilation of the findings, information and data derived from the questionnaire on drivers ofdeforestation and forest degradation, which was used for the reconnaissance surveys and consultation
meetings, had been undertaken while taking into account relevant remarks made by experts selected
for the review of the draft report.
1.4 Participatory development of management system
The Executing Agency had continued its collaboration with the Wildlife Division of the Ghana Forestry
Commission in order to provide appropriate technical support to the 9 local communities involved in the

ITTC(LI)/7
Page 51
project implementation. For these nine local communities, additional surveys had been undertaken forstakeholders’ consultation meetings in relation to the activities contributing to address their needs,interests and problems in relation to the deforestation and forest degradation problems: income
generating activities for livelihood, non-timber forest products harvesting and processing, reforestation
through modified Taungya agroforestry system, etc.
1.5 Implementation of developed management system
The implementation of the management system was delayed due to the need for undertaking
additional surveys with the nine local communities involved in the project implementation in the Ankasa
Conservation Area.
Output 2: Financial value of the environmental services the Conservation Area determined
2.1 Identification of the ecosystem services provided by the Conservation area
Additional reconnaissance surveys and consultation meetings had been undertaken with stakeholders
involved in the project implementation.
2.2 Determination of the financial value of these services
The report on the estimated financial value of ecosystems services provided by the Ankasa
Conservation Area (ACA), which was prepared by an international expert, had been circulated to key
stakeholders, for review.
Output 3: Governance and benefit sharing arrangements PES developed
3.1 Development of framework for good governance and benefit sharing for REDD
The findings and results of the discussions and interactions with key stakeholders had been collated in
two technical reports, namely, i.e., ‘Tenure and carbon rights in local REDD+ projects: insights from
community-based workshops in South-western Ghana’; and ‘Developing decision support system for
optimizing benefits of agriculture land use in ACA under a REDD+ regime’. These two technical reports
had been disseminated, for information sharing with relevant institutions in Ghana.
3.2 Development of best practice guidelines for forest governanceA report on good governance and benefit sharing was finalized with the findings of the two
abovementioned technical studies, for the perusal by relevant institutions in Ghana, such as: Faculty ofRenewable Natural Resources (FRNR) of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Sciences and Technology(KNUST), Wildlife Division of the Forestry Commission and Forestry Research Institute of Ghana(FORIG), etc.
3.3 Stakeholder consultation to validate best practice guidelines and framework for good governance andbenefit sharing
The Executing Agency (FORIG) had started converting the findings and results of the report on good
governance and benefit sharing into correlated guidelines and framework, in collaboration with Ghana
Forestry Commission, KNUST and FRNR.
3.4 Dissemination of good practice schemes and lessons to stakeholder groups
The holding of workshops and meetings for the dissemination of good practice schemes and lessons,described here above, had been postponed due to the delay in finalizing the best practice guidelines
and framework for good governance and benefit sharing.
Output 4: Participatory methods for measurement, assessment reporting and verification (MARV) of forest
carbon developed and implemented
4.1 Participatory development of verifiable method for forest carbon estimation and monitoring (based on a
combination of field surveys and monitoring through satellites images)
The Executing Agency has continued its interacting with a group of experts on the challenging issue ofthe right and feasible methodologies in relation to field surveys on carbon estimation and monitoring.
4.2 Determination of baseline carbon stocks
A draft document on the appropriate methodologies for the determination of baseline carbon stocks
had been circulated for review and comments by a group of selected experts.
4.3 Establishment of baselines of forest cover changes
The Executing Agency has continued collecting and analyzing data and information on the forest coverof the project target area which could lead to the establishment of baselines.
4.4 Participatory estimation of emissions reduction and enhancement in sequestered carbon under REDD
project scenario

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Page 52
Continuation of sensitization campaigns that had been carried out to explain to local communities how
they could be involved in a participatory process on the estimation of emissions reduction andenhancement in sequestered carbon.
Achievements, Impacts and lessons learned:
Nine local communities have been selected and sensitized on the issues regarding the deforestationand forest degradation in Ankasa Conservation Area (ACA), and most of them had been implementing
the best practices for the rehabilitation of degraded lands in ACA;
These nine local communities had been involved in the registration forest plantations and related trees
established by them for the rehabilitation of degraded lands in ACA. The registration process had been
undertaken in close collaboration with the Forest Services Division (FSD) of Ghana Forestry
Commission represented by the District Forest Manager that oversees the Ankasa Conservation Area
(ACA). The registration is the first and important step of the process which could lead to the tree
ownership and benefit sharing scheme, for these nine local communities involved in the rehabilitationof degraded lands in ACA.

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Rehabilitation of degraded forests for sustainable wood fuel production and climate change
mitigation in the forest-savanna transition zone of Ghana
Project number:

RED-SPD 077/12 Rev.1 (F)Project country:

Ghana

Budget:Total:

US$ 169,360

ITTO Contribution:

US$ 121,662

Government of Ghana:

US$ 47,698

Submitted by:

Government of Ghana

Implementing agency:

FORIG

Duration:

24 months

Financed at:

REDDES 4th Cycle (2012)

Status:Ongoing

Summary:
The project aims at contributing to reduction in rural poverty and improved income and employment while
reducing deforestation and degradation and contributing to carbon sequestration in the forest savannatransition zone of Ghana. This will be achieved through sensitizing and building the capacity of commercial
charcoal and firewood producers in the transition zone to plant and/or manage wood fuel plantations
sustainably. Participatory approaches will be employed at all stages of the project to ensure thatstakeholder needs are adequately incorporated in the choice and design of plantation regimes.
Management plans will also be produced to guide communities for efficient utilization of wood fuelresources. The government of Ghana will benefit through improved resource base and sectoral information
for policy decisions. Other benefits to be derived include building up of the capacity of resource managers
to support forest communities to sustainably utilize and manage wood fuel resources and to reducepressure on the natural forest estate.
Progress:
The Project Agreement regulating the implementation of this small project was duly signed on 06 February
2013. An Inception Report and related Detailed Work Plan were submitted and approved by the ITTO
Secretariat. The 24-month project implementation began with the disbursement of the first installment of TP
funds on 14 May 2013. In accordance with the project’s most recent progress report and the monthly
highlights submitted through the project on-line monitoring system, progress in project implementation canbe summarized as follows:
Output 1: Baseline information on wood fuel production-consumption, climate change vulnerability andspecies stocks produced

Activities 1.1, 1.2 and 1.3 have been completed for the preparation of baseline studies and related
reports which had been circulated for review and comments. For the Activity 1.4, the draft reporton the inventory of wood fuel species was circulated for review and comments by stakeholders.

Output 2: Demonstration/test plots of highly productive wood fuel species established on degraded lands
with smallholder and large scale charcoal producers


Activities 2.1. 2.2, 2.3 and 2.6 have been completed through a series of consultation meetings
which allowed sensitizing key stakeholders and getting them involved in the implementation ofthese project activities.
Activity 2.4: Acquisition of planting materials and propagation studies on priority wood fuel species
The Executing Agency had continued to collect, process and germinate seeds of Anogeissus
leioccarpus (Kane), Pterocarpus erinaceus (Rose wood- Krayie), Khaya senegalensis, Azadrachta
indica (Neem), Senna siamea, Acacia mangium, and Acacia cracicarpa (exotic species), for theestablishment of forest demonstration trials by selected local communities.

ITTC(LI)/7
Page 54Activity 2.5: Training of local communities in tree nursery establishment and management
Nurseries established by selected local community members (Nkranka, Babatokuma and Attakura
villages), who had been trained on the establishment and management of nurseries, had been
operational to produce seedlings for the establishment of woodfuel demonstration plots. Nursery
activities had included the thinning out of germinated seeds, potting and watering of seedlings andgeneral nursery management, as well as some propagation techniques, seedling care andtransplanting.
Activity 2 .7: Establishment of test/trial plots of highly productive wood fuel tree species using a
combination of restoration techniques by enrichment or re-planting or natural regeneration of
degraded sites.
Seedlings of six wood fuel tree species, namely Acacia magnium, Acacia cracicarpa, Anogeissus
leioccarpus, Pterocarpus erinaceus, Khaya senegalensis and Terminalia ivorensis were distributed
among selected volunteer farmers for the establishment of test/demonstration plots in 2 projectvillages (Dromakuma and DromaKese) in the Nkoransa North District. Seventeen (17) farmer
plots, covering 3.3 ha, were planted with 3,364 seedlings of the six abovementioned tree species
combined with food crops, mainly Cassava, maize, yam vegetables.
Activity 2.8: Monitor and evaluate initial tree growth on test plots and productivity of otherintegrated crops periodicallyAs part of periodic monitoring and evaluation schedule, follow up visits had been made by the
Executing Agency to all woodfuel trial plots established by selected local community membersin the target project areas.

Output 3: Scientific information on wood fuel test plots management, biomass and carbon production
potential, economic viability, energy characteristics of species, and potential impact on environment andlivelihoods produced










Activity 3.1: Determination of silvicultural prescriptions for management of wood fuel species intest/trial plots.
Silvicultural information on the abovementioned tree species, planted in the trial/test plots
established by local communities had been compiled in relation to the management of these
species in forest plantations. A draft handbook document has been prepared and circulated forthe review and comments.
Activity 3.2: Assessment of biomass production potential of the wood fuel species on test/trial
plots
Framework for the assessment of biomass and carbon production potential of the wood fuelspecies on test/trial plots had been prepared.
Activity 3.5: Studies on carbonization and charcoal yield potential of wood fuel species on testplots
A second round of sample collection from the wild had been completed to repeat tests onenergy characteristics and studies on carbonization and charcoal yield potential of species atthe laboratory. Methodologies for sampling of species and laboratory preparation and analyses
have been written.
Activity 3.6: Economic assessment of wood fuel test plots to establish their viability in the longterm
An ex-ante financial analysis of the viability of wood fuel plantations based on species selected
for planting in the test plots was in progress.
Activity 3.7: Initiate studies on how communities and individuals establishing wood fuel test
plots can be organized for payment of environment services (PES) schemes.
A review had been done to assess the feasibility of PES for community-based wood fuelplantation in the project target area. Issues analyzed included the following: (i) standards forcertifications, registry and third party verification in voluntary carbon markets; (ii) matchingwood fuel plantation PES to standards and registry schemes; (iii) identifying appropriate
standard and registry scheme; and (iv) alignment of wood fuel plantation to identified standard
and registry scheme.

Output 4: Stakeholders engaged to discuss and plan for sustainable wood fuel resources development andmanagement


Activities 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3 have been completed for the identification of key stakeholders,institutions (at district and national levels) and mechanisms for the sustainable utilization of

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

fuelwood resources.
Activity 4.4: Design and produce plans in a well-illustrated manual in English and appropriate
local languages
A draft document containing plans for managing and developing fuelwood resources in the
Kintampo Forest District had been prepared, taking into consideration policies, regulatory andlegislative frameworks as well as institutional arrangements, and circulated for review andcomments by stakeholders.

Achievements, impacts and lessons learned:
Nursery sites have been established in FORIG as well as in Kintampo North and Nkoranza districts of theKintampo Forest District. Around 24,000 seedlings had been produced for distribution to farmers for theestablishment of fuelwood demonstration plots. 100 farmers have been recruited to establish
demonstration plots from 6 project villages between 2014 and 2015. Plots of 39 of farmers covering
approximately 8ha have so far been planted. A delay in rains and prolonged droughty conditions had been
the main constraint for these farmers. Stakeholders have been sensitized and engaged at the district andnational levels to discuss options for sustainable fuelwood resources development and management in
Ghana.

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Advancing REDD+ in Ghana: preparation of REDD+ pilot schemes in off-reserve forests andagro-forests
Project number:

RED-PD 093/12 Rev.3 (F)Project country:

Ghana

Budget:Total:

US$ 366,954

ITTO Contribution:

US$ 297,205

Government of Togo:

US$ 69,749

Submitted by:

Government of Ghana

Implementing agency:

Ghanaian National REDD+ Secretariat

Duration:

12 months

Financed at:

REDDES 4th Cycle (2012)

Status:Ongoing

Summary:
The project is preparing a major support component to Ghana’s Readiness Preparation Proposal (RPP)
and aims at strengthening Ghana’s capacities to prevent and reduce deforestation and forest degradationand enhancing carbon stocks (REDD+). The specific objective of the REDDES project is to lay out the
ground work for the development or enhancement of off-reserve production systems under REDD+
schemes, in line with its efforts to reduce GHG emissions in forests. The project is a preparatory step for an
additional support component for the implementation of Ghana’s R-PP and is mainly concerned with
developing a number of analytical works and the definition of REDD+ pilots in off-reserve areas. It is also
aimed at developing a framework to guide the implementation of REDD+ from the national to the local
level. This shall allow Ghana to take stock of existing initiatives that have the potential to be considered
under REDD+, as well as to concretely analyze promising REDD+ activities, which will be an integral partof the RPP. The information produced through this project shall prepare the further implementation ofagricultural and secondary forest production schemes that feature climate smart practices.
Progress:
The Project Agreement regulating the implementation of this project was duly signed on 07 January 2013.
An Inception Report and related Detailed Work Plan were submitted and approved by the ITTO Secretariat.
The 12-month project implementation began with the disbursement of the first installment of TP funds on
29 March 2013. The project extension was granted until July 2014. No progress report was submitted inAugust 2015 by the project Executing Agency (Ghanaian National REDD+ Secretariat) which informed theSecretariat that the preparation of the completion report was under way, as all project activities had been
completed with both Collaborating Agencies (Forestry Research Institute of Ghana / FORIG and School of
Agriculture, Forest and Food Sciences of the Bern University of Applied Sciences / HAFL).
Achievements, impacts and lessons learned:
 This project has contributed to build the capacity of stakeholders (especially farmers andcommunities) through the production and dissemination of the findings of the following reports: (1)a Guide to implement REDD+ activities in Ghana, (2) a policy brief on carbon rights in Ghana, and(3) an information note on potential of different land use systems for maintaining and enhancing
carbon stocks in Ghana.
 Key stakeholders sensitized on the potential of using commercial agriculture products (cocoa,
sheanut, essential oils, etc.) to reverse deforestation and forest degradation.
 A number of technical reports have been produced and are available from the ITTO project searchtool http://www.itto.int/project_search/ A publication titled “REDD+ in agricultural landscapes: evidence from Ghana’s REDD+ process”
was under preparation in order to summarize the key findings of the studies and surveys carried in
the target project area.

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Strengthening of governance and sustainable management of mangrove ecosystems in Guatemala
as a climate change adaptation measure
Project number:

RED-SPD 079/12 Rev.1 (F)Project country:

GuatemalaBudget:Total:

US$ 215,223

ITTO Contribution:

US$ 146,751

INAB:

US$ 58,320

ARCAS:

US$ 10.152

Submitted by:

Government of Guatemala

Implementing agency:

INAB

Duration:

24 months

Financed at:

REDDES 4th Cycle (2012)

Status:Ongoing

Summary:
The lack of actions aimed at mangrove forest protection and management has led to the loss anddegradation of mangrove ecosystems outside of protected areas; weak mangrove forest management andgovernance; food insecurity; and limited economic opportunities for the local communities. This project onmangrove forest protection, restoration and conservation as a climate change adaptation measure will help
address these problems. It will produce increased knowledge about the dynamics and contribution ofmangrove forests so as to improve their management and rehabilitation and it will strengthen andconsolidate a sustainable community forest management model. At least 15 sites directly linked to theprotection and management of mangrove ecosystems in the seven prioritized departments will be actively
promoting the restoration, management and special protection of at least 700 hectares of mangrove
forests, with the effective participation of local partners. It is expected that the development andsystematization of the project experience will help strengthen and consolidate the Mangrove Forest
Regulations, which include agreed guidelines for the prioritization of mangrove forests, and the
management, restoration and conservation mechanisms to be implemented through the effective
participation of local and government stakeholders. Through improvement of mangrove forest management
and restoration, the project will create new economic opportunities and improved food security for the local
communities, while contributing to the conservation of mangrove ecosystems.
Progress:
Administrative Progress:
The Project Agreement regulating the implementation of the project was duly signed on 10 March 2013.
The Project Inception Report and the YPO have been received and approved by the ITTO Secretariat andthe first disbursement of funds was transferred to the Executing Agency on 1 August 2013 and project
activities commenced shortly after that. The second installment was executed in early February 2014 andthe third installment released in October 2014, and both based on the prior submission and approval of thecorresponding required 6-monthly progress report and updated OLMS reporting. The project was further
granted an extension until December 2015 in order to allow for the successful completion of all activities.
Technical Progress:
In accordance with the project’s most recent progress report and the monthly highlights submitted throughthe project on-line monitoring system, progress in project implementation can be summarized by major
outputs as follows:

Output 1: Mangrove Ecosystem Management and Conservation Program for the local communities

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with a focus on climate change adaptation.
Almost all activities required to achieve this output have been implemented, as follows: 4 pilot areas involving 13 communities were selected for the development and implementation ofcommunity forest management plans centering on mangrove forest conservation andmanagement, these being: Blanca Cecilia, Manchon Guamuchal, Cayo Quemado and Mangales.
All four sites currently count with operational management plans focusing on mangrove forest
rehabilitation, conservation, protection and production; The training modules on mangrove management and all related materials have been developed;and Training workshops to raise awareness of the local communities on the use and conservation ofmangrove areas have been completed; and Other events continue to be carried out at the community level aimed at highlighting thesignificance of practices focused on improving local capacities for climate change adaptation.
Output 2: Conservation and management strategy for Guatemala's mangrove ecosystem with theeffective participation of key stakeholders.
5 activities out of 7 required to achieve this output have been completed, as follows: A methodology was designed with the effective participation of both local and national stakeholder
groups for the establishment of a National Strategy for Mangrove Ecosystem Conservation,
Management and Restoration, and the strategy itself has been developed; 9, rather than the original 3, local roundtables have been established with the participation of key
local stakeholders to develop local actions focused on mangrove conservation, management andrestoration within the framework of the national strategy and also to review the draft mangrove
forest regulation; and The activity related to the strengthening, consolidation, approval and implementation of the newmangrove forest regulation is still pending.
Achievements, impacts and lessons learned:
To date, the following achievements can be mentioned:
 4 pilot areas over an area of 532.27 ha with operational community forest management plans
centering on mangrove conservation and management, these being: Blanca Cecilia (22.50 ha),Manchon Guamuchal (486.77 ha), Cayo Quemado (2.00 ha) and Mangales (21.00).
 Training modules and materials for the conservation and sustainable use of mangroves havebeen developed and disseminated among the stakeholder communities, and are readily
available for further dissemination elsewhere;
 A National Strategy for Mangrove Ecosystem Conservation, Management and Restoration has
been developed in a participatory manner and has been submitted to the competent
government authorities (INAB and CONAP) for their review and approval; and 9 local roundtables established with the participation of key local stakeholders are currently
active in the development of local actions focused on mangrove conservation, management
and restoration within the framework of the draft national strategy.
The Project has also to date produced several outputs and products, among them several technicaldocuments, of which the following are worthwhile mentioning:
1)
2)
3)
4)

Módulos de capacitación: características, uso y conservación de áreas manglar
Reglamento para el manejo sostenible del recurso forestal del ecosistema manglar
Estrategia para el manejo y conservación del bosque manglar en Guatemala
Planes de manejo comunitario

These publications, describing the achievements, impacts and lessons learnt of the project, will also be
uploaded onto the ITTO website for a greater dissemination to all our member countries and otherinterested parties, and are available from the ITTO project search tool at http://www.itto.int/project_search/.

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Promoting local community initiatives on the rehabilitation of mangrove ecosystems withdemonstration activities in Bintan Island to reduce further deforestation and forest degradation.
Project number:
Project country:
Budget:Submitted by:
Implementing agency:
Duration:
Financed at:
Status:RED-PD 064/11 Rev.2 (F)Indonesia
Total:
US$ 555,887
ITTO Contribution:
US$ 504,317
Government of Indonesia
US$ 51,570
Government of Indonesia
Directorate General of Watershed Development and Social Forestry,
Indonesia
24 months
REDDES 3rd Cycle (2011)
Completed

Summary:This project aims at the improvement of mangrove ecosystem quality in Indonesia through local community
participation, using a demonstration area on Bintan Island. The specific objective is to control, through local
communities, the further exploitation of mangrove areas in order to reduce further forest degradation. The
expected outputs of the project are: (1) A Draft Policy Legislation on Mangrove Forest Management
formulated; (2) Improved capacity of communities to rehabilitate degraded mangrove forest area. It is
expected that after project completion, Bintan’s strategy on mangrove forest management will beinstitutionalized and adopted at various levels for an action program to improve mangrove ecosystems by
local communities and thus also promote the reduction of deforestation and degradation. The successful
implementation of the project will generate awareness among local people and stakeholders to participate
in managing mangrove forest in a sustainable way. Local governments, communities and private sector will
get incentives from the ongoing effort in implementing conservation and forest management in reducing
deforestation and forest degradation.
Progress:
The project was approved under the REDDES 3rd Cycle (2011). The project commenced implementation in
March 2013 and a project steering committee meeting occurred in January 2014.
Project progress reports were received on schedule in August 2013 and 2014, respectively. The final reportand audit report were received by the ITTO Secretariat in early 2015. All reports are available on requestfrom the Secretariat, as are the minutes of the PSC meeting. The government of Indonesia introduced newforest legislation relevant to mangroves in 2012 prior to the start of project implementation, so activities andrelevant budget lines were adjusted with the approval of ITTO to take this into account. All project staff andexperts were recruited as planned and work has been completed to establish baseline data on theextent/condition of Bintan’s mangroves, including studies on carbon emissions and sequestration potential.
A study on the social and economic condition of Bintan communities living in or near mangroves has been
carried out and existing mangrove-related policies and regulations in Bintan have been reviewed. Activities
to facilitate stakeholder coordination in development of Bintan’s mangrove policies/regulations were also
undertaken, as was establishment of a mangrove education center. The project successfully achieved its
planned outputs and objectives within the planned 24 month duration. The project completed all activities
with a significant saving (over $100,000) in the project budget; these funds have been returned to the
REDDES account following unsuccessful negotiations with the Executing Agency regarding a proposal touse the funds for follow-up work.
Achievements, impacts and lessons learned:






Report received from consultants on the socio-economic condition of Bintan mangrovecommunities
Report received from consultants on Bintan’s existing mangrove regulations/policies
Report received on stakeholder coordination activities
Report received on establishment of a mangrove education center
Final report received

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A number of additional technical reports (some only in Bahasa Indonesia) are available from the ITTO
database through the ITTO project search tool at http://www.itto.int/project_search/
The project has resulted in increased awareness amongst communities in Bintan on the importance ofmangroves and helped to formalize the role of local communities in mangrove planning and policy making
in Bintan and elsewhere in Indonesia. Project outputs have provided key inputs to Indonesia’s evolving
policy on mangrove conservation and sustainable use. The reorganization of the Ministry of Forestry (which
underwent a merger with the Ministry of Environment in early 2015) led to some confusion at the end of the
project but this did not negatively impact attainment of project outputs or objectives

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Improving efficacy of forestry policies and activities in Liberia through REDD+ demonstration
projects
Project number:

RED-SPD 084/12 Rev.1 (F)Project country:

Liberia

Budget:Total:

US$ 308,718

ITTO Contribution:

US$ 149,922

NORAD:

US$ 158,796

Submitted by:

Government of Liberia

Implementing agency:

Forest Development Authority and Flora & Fauna International (FFI)

Duration:

12 months

Financed at:

REDDES 4th Cycle (2012)

Status:Ongoing

Summary:
As Liberia emerges from conflict, avoidable threats to its forests remain, including shifting agriculture,illegal and quasi-legal logging, and wide-scale conversion to agro-industrial crops. Underlying these issues
are key threats associated with low national capacity coupled with a lack of large scale livelihood
development interventions. Faced with these challenges, the Government of Liberia has been actively
exploring options for REDD+ development- however, a demonstration site is critically lacking. The project
proposes to support the establishment of two on-the-ground demonstration projects for testing pro-poor
REDD+ approaches that are replicable and will feed into improving the efficiency, equity and efficacy offorestry policies and activities in Liberia. Adopting a grassroots and participatory approach, the project will
support the establishment of tenure arrangements and equitable benefit sharing and ensure good
governance, with a key focus on community rights and gender equity. Project activities will support thedevelopment of sustainable livelihoods, with a pro-poor approach underpinning all activities.
Progress:
The Project Agreement regulating the implementation of this small project was duly signed on 27 May
2013. An Inception Report and related Detailed Work Plan were submitted and approved by the ITTO
Secretariat. The 12-month project implementation began with the disbursement of the first installment of TP
funds on 12 July 2013. The project extension was granted until January 2015 due to the delay caused by
the Ebola virus outbreak in the implementation of some project activities. In accordance with the project’s
most recent progress report and the monthly highlights submitted through the project on-line monitoring
system, progress in project implementation can be summarized as follows:
Output 1: Increased awareness of rights and responsibilities with regard to the community rights law,
climate change, sustainable forest management and REDD amongst stakeholders, with a particularemphasis on the rural poor Activity 1.1: A series of accessible radio programmes were designed and broadcasted both onnational radio and translated into local dialects for transmission to local communities in the projecttarget areas. These radio broadcast sensitization campaigns had positively contributed to resume
project activities through the re-engagement of communities, after several months of project
activities being suspended due to the Ebola virus outbreak.
 Activity 1.2 Creation and support of a permanent roving technical team for information sharing andsensitization in the two demonstration site areas - the technical roving team using the Principle ofFree Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) has been working in the communities to increase theawareness and understanding of local people about REDD process.
Output 2: Improved local capacity to engage in monitoring, reporting and verification of forest carbon,
biodiversity degradation and deforestation
 Activity 2.1 Community Management Committee and Working Groups were formed andoperational for each demonstration site targeted by the implementation of this project.

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Activity 2.2 Training needs assessment had been done as it related to the capacity of both thecommunity and the local implementing partners. However, the project had taken a fluid approachto the evolving needs at the sites of Taijuowon and Wolengizi counties.
Activity 2.3: In-situ training and on the job advisory work of Community Management Team andWorking Groups - the members of the Community Forest Management Committee (CFMC) had
regularly participated in training activities aim at building their capacity to effectively represent theircommunities. They had also participated in field training (camera trapping, forest survey,
community engagement) that had exposed them to the details of the project so that they could be
able to effectively present the project idea in the community.

Output 3: Two community-led REDD demonstration projects developed, including establishment of BSM
and MRV systems with provisions for measuring carbon, forest cover and co-benefits – biodiversity andlivelihoods.
 Activity 3.1: Clarification of land and carbon ownership rights in demonstration sites with FDA and
Liberia Land Commission - though there are mentions of the value of PES in the forest reform law
and accompanying regulations, there is no specific mention of carbon. Hence the project had beenworking with the FDA and Liberia Land Commission, and subsequently hired a prominent local
lawyer to review the policies relating to the forestry sector to make a legal argument for the 'special
allowance' of the sales of carbon from the project.
 Activity 3.2: Review of existing benefit sharing schemes and MRV models had been undertaken bya team of experts under the supervision of FDA, Liberia Land Commission and FFI.
 Activity 3.3: Design of community-led BSM and MRV systems with provisions for measuring
carbon, forest cover and co-benefits - biodiversity and livelihoods - after discussions with partners.
It was agreed that benefits derived from the project will be distributed based on the size ofcommunities as ultimately the project seeks to benefit people.
 Activity 3.4: Field training and finalization of developed models - there had been field training on
the developed models used for the plan vivo in Taijuowon and Wolengizi counties, as it related to
the zones in which communities were grouped in based on proximity.
 Activity 3.5: Production of 'reference' scenarios for carbon, biodiversity and socio-economic - using
satellite imagery, data from biodiversity survey and community engagement. The reference
scenario for deforestation and degradation has been developed for future comparative analysis.
 Activity 3.6: Community members in the project sites at Taijuowon and Wolengizi counties wereinvolved in the implementation of pilot activities regarding land tenure and tree ownership andbenefit sharing mechanisms, with a key focus on community rights and the consideration ofgender equity. These activities, which were suspended during the Ebola virus outbreak, hadresumed with the project support.
Output 4: Project Development Documents produced for a minimum of one REDD+ demonstration
project(s) designed to fulfil VCS and CCB standards achieves verification after 3rd party audit.
 Activity 4.1: Multi-stakeholder development surveys had been undertaken in the demonstration site
had been undertaken, and the technical specification had been under review by stakeholders, withspecial focus on the roles, liabilities and benefit sharing of stakeholders.
 Activity 4.2: A sensitization campaign had been carried out for the explanation of Plan Vivo systemlinked to best practice as set out by the Climate Community and Biodiversity Alliance (CCBA)
standards and the Voluntary Carbon Standard (VCS). In compliance with these standards,
emphasis had been placed on the development of a baseline and monitoring and evaluation
methodology.
Achievements, impacts and lessons learned:

Local capacity had been improved on how to engage in monitoring, reporting and verification(MRV) of forest carbon, biodiversity degradation and deforestation;
Two community-led REDD+ demonstration projects had been developed, including establishmentof BSM (Benefits Sharing Mechanism) and MRV (Monitoring Reporting and Verification) systems
with provisions for measuring carbon, forest cover and co-benefits – biodiversity and livelihoods, inTaijuowon and Wolengizi counties.
The progress of the project has been very encouraging with the deepening interest of theparticipating communities, although the suspension of project activities during the Ebola virus
outbreak in Liberia.

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Reducing forest degradation and emissions through sustainable forest management (SFM) in
peninsular Malaysia
Project number:

RED-PD 037/11 Rev.2 (F)Project country:

Malaysia

Budget:Total:

US$ 864,622

ITTO Contribution:

US$ 590,922,

Government of Malaysia

US$ 273,700

Submitted by:

Government of Malaysia

Implementing agency:

Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM)

Duration:

36 months

Financed at:

REDDES 3rd Cycle (2011)

Status:Ongoing

Summary:
Forest management in Malaysia is based on the Selective Management System (SMS) which involves theselection of a management regime to optimize not only the objectives of efficient and economic harvestingand sustained yield but, more importantly, to ensure that forest development is ecologically andenvironmentally sustainable. However, forest degradation in terms of carbon stocks is occurring in
production forests as a result of logging operations. Logging operations in Malaysia in the past have also
been reported to be damaging, but significant improvements have been made. The extent of current forest
degradation in terms of carbon stocks needs to be further studied as it is still not well understood in
Malaysia. Reports have indicated that improved forest management could reduce degradation and reducecarbon emission. However, all these studies are confined to specific areas and with limited information for
scaling up activities. Consequently, this project is implemented to assess enhancement of climate change
mitigation through reduced emissions from forest degradation in Malaysia. Specifically, the project will
determine emissions from forest degradation in logged forests and assess the value of enhancing forest
management practices to reduce emissions from forest degradation. Financial evaluations of the improved
management practices will be undertaken to provide avenues for assessing payment for ecosystemservices.
Progress:
The Agreement regulating the implementation of the project was duly signed on 18 January 2012. The
implementation of the project commenced in February 2013 after finishing administrative arrangements.
The third Project Steering Committee (PSC) meeting was held on 4 June 2015 under the chairmanship of
Datuk Dr Abdul Rahim Hj. Nik, Deputy Secretary General (Environment ), Ministry of Natural Resources
and Environment (NRE). The PSC meeting reviewed the progress made by the project and made several
recommendations including contributing to scientific papers resulting from the implementation of interesting
project activities to relevant international journals. Since the Fiftieth Council Session and in accordancewith the most recent project progress report submitted by the Executing Agency, progress in theimplementation is summarized as follows:
Output 1: National forest degradation estimated Analysis on carbon pools of samples and data from a project site in Pahang State is continuing. The
site is located in Ulu Jelai Forest Reserve, Lipis, Pahang where an improved logging method of RIL(Rimbaka) has been introduced.
 A technical book entitled “Reference Emission Level for REDD+ in Pahang” is targeted to be
published by the 4th quarter of 2015.
 The project team attended a training course on Trainers on Climate Change and REDD+ on 25-30
May 2015 at Center for Forestry Education and Training (CFET), Bogor Indonesia which wassponsored by Korean-ASEAN Forest Cooperation (AFoCo). Results of the project research were
presented as a case study in the training.

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Output 2: Forest degradation reduced at the forest management unit
 A survey on soil, litter, sapling and deadwood carbon in low impact logging area of Ulu Jelai Forest
Reserve, Lipis, Pahang was conducted to estimate carbon changes before and after logging from 24
March to 2 April 2015. This area was logged by using a Rimbaka Timber Harvester machine.
Output 3: Incentives for carbon and ecosystem services established Methodology in conducting an opportunity cost study had been reviewed.
 Based on four main ecosystem services identified by MEA (2005) and in line with the original project
proposal, 3 ecosystem services of the project site have been studied. To date, only two ecosystemservices had been selected and finalized, which is carbon and watershed. The remaining, thesubject of social (livelihood) aspects is still under discussion.
 A draft framework and design for PES (carbon and watershed) is under review.
 Coaching session on economic valuation of ecosystem services was held on 9-11 March 2015 at
Bangi-Putrajaya Hotel, Malaysia
Output 4: Capacity of major stakeholders and communities where relevant is strengthened A stakeholders’ consultation workshop on “Identifying and Addressing Drivers of Deforestation andForest Degradation in Pahang State, Malaysia” was held on 7- 9 December 2014 at Awana Hotel,
Genting Highlands, Pahang. Presentations of the workshop include the project’s results on theassessment of land use chances over 20 years to identify the drivers of deforestation in Pahang.
 The project team attended the International Workshop on REDD+ and Sustainable Landuse
Management on 16-18 Dec 2014 at Forest Department of Myanmar in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar. The
project team presented a paper entitled “Identifying Drivers of Deforestation and Developing
Reference Emission Level for REDD+ In Peninsular Malaysia” and a poster entitled “Assessing
Deforestation Rates and Changes of Carbon Stock on mangroves in Pahang”.
 The project team continued to share project results at many national and international meetings.
These include attending the International Seminar REDD+ Finance Mechanism and Its Optimum
Use-How to Incentive Forest Conservation held on 3-4 February 2015 at Tokyo University which wasorganised by the FFPRI of Japan.
Achievements, impacts and lessons learned:
The project team has established a project’s Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/FRIM-ITTOREDDES/277076555767504 and updated project-related information. The project has produced a series ofproject briefs, namely: Achieving REDD+ through SFM in Peninsular Malaysia; Carbon Emission from
Deforestation in Pahang, Malaysia; Biomass and carbon changes from different harvesting techniques inPahang, Malaysia; regional technical training on carbon assessment; and technical training on logging
emissions.

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Environmental assessment and economic valuation of ecosystem services provided by coastal
forests (mangrove forests, flood forests, rain forests and scrub forests on dunes) and theiragricultural replacement systems on the central coastal plain of Veracruz, Mexico
Project number:

RED-PD 045/11 Rev.2 (M)Project country:

MexicoBudget:Total:

US$ 871,825

ITTO Contribution:

US$ 470,682

Institute of Ecology (INECOL), Mexico

US$ 401,143

Submitted by:

Government of Mexico

Implementing agency:

Institute of Ecology (INECOL)

Duration:

36 months (+7 month extension)

Financed at:

REDDES 3rd Cycle (2011)

Status:Ongoing

Summary:
The project aims at a quantitative assessment of the goods and services provided by the various types oftropical forests and coastal forests (mangrove forests, tropical flood forests, rain forests and scrub forestson dunes), on the coastal plains of Veracruz in the Gulf of Mexico. Services to be evaluated will include
flood containment, carbon sequestration, improved water quality, and accelerated regeneration). These
services will also be assessed from the economic point of view, and criteria will be developed jointly withlocal communities for monitoring and valuing these benefits, thus encouraging sustainable use of theseecosystems. A comparison will be drawn between technical data and local community perceptions ofpotential benefits and products from these tropical forests, and the evaluation of services gained for
paddocks and agricultural fields created by cutting down these ecosystems. Material will be developed to
publicize valuation and assessment of environmental services outcomes among the population, andworkshops will be organised with government sectors to transfer information and seek their inclusion in
payment for environmental services schemes. The project will contribute to sustainable forest management
and to the valuation of coastal forests with similar conditions throughout the Gulf of Mexico and the
Mexican Pacific Region.
Progress:
The first installment of the project was done in May 2012. By now the project has achieved the following
outputs:
Output 1: Environmental and socio-economic diagnosis of resources derived from forests and coastal
forests on the central coastal plains of Veracruz, Mexico:
Results on ‘perceptions on local communities’: The survey has been conducted with a universe of 171 people with 5 types of questionnaires in six
communities of the state of Veracruz.
 Results from the surveys are now available, and local communities understand the relation of thepreservation of the coastal ecosystem with their well-being and livelihoods, including use of timber,fire wood, palms, medicinal plants, flora and fauna.
 Two publications are foreseeing from the research conducted:
 Catalogue on local medicinal plants (published). This particular publication was written by agroup of local women, with the assistance of the Executing Agency, and includes 44 local
species, and Perceptions of local communities on coastal forest and their environmental services (draft
available)
Results on ‘restoration techniques’: The project conducted filed study on economical restoration techniques that can be used by local

ITTC(LI)/7
Page 66communities, such as through the poles for birds for distribution of seeds, and tramps to catchseeds.
A manual on forest restoration will be published (draft available)

Output 2: Aerial technical evaluation of plant productivity, in coastal forests and their replacement
agricultural systems and organic carbon content in these ecosystems and evaluation of the role of the soilin the containment of floods and in hydrological flows and water quality in mangroves and flood forests:
 Field work has been concluded.
 The research has shown that the most productive ecosystems in sequestration of carbon content
are rain forest, secondary vegetation and dunes. These ecosystems also retain sand and avoid
the erosion of beaches.
 Ecosystems such as rain forest and fresh water marsh are of higher importance for flood
containment and to regulate the water cycle. Some regions of rain forests contain as much as 4 gr
of water per gram of soil. These ecosystems are quite sensible to land-use change.
 Restoration of paddocks also improves the soil capacity of flood containment.
 The loss of containment capacity is highly correlated to the organic carbon sequestered in the soil.
 These ecosystems are threatened by land-use change for livestock, and human settlements.
 Research activities are still ongoing.
Output 3: Evaluation of the role of native trees in these ecosystems in various agricultural-silviculturallivestock benefits: The research work will conclude with a manual of best practices in the use of endemic trees in
paddocks (draft available).
Output 4: Economic valuation of environmental services, included in an economic value that can beincorporated into government policies and instruments:
 The project studied the economic valuation of the following environmental services:
 carbon sequestration,
 conservation of water quality for fisheries,
 water catchment and purification,
 flood containment, connectivity and restoration of ecosystems, and biodiversity conservation
 The economic valuation took into account the opportunity costs (direct and indirect), theimplementation costs and the transaction costs for each service.
Output 5: To encourage rural community involvement in the project and to develop and distributeinformation to decision-makers, CONAFOR technical experts and rural communities, so that they can
incorporate the outcomes of the project in their practices and activities:
 The involvement of local communities has been constant throughout project execution, including
surveys, research activities, field monitoring activities, drafting and review of publications andpromotional material.
 Plant cover and land use maps, with distinct general categories (tree cover, native herbaceous
cover and agricultural/ livestock paddock systems) for the project area, with the purpose ofenvironmental service spatial mapping, are being implemented during the extension of the project.
Output 6: Implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the results obtained in the pilot restoration sites,
and reproduction of plants for forest restoration:
 Field activities in selected sites to monitor forest restoration through the use of artificial perches
and isolated trees have been recently concluded A draft manual for forest restoration is now available.
 Courses and workshops are scheduled to happen on 2015.
 A draft dissemination video is now available.
Output 7: An agreed proposal and operational strategies for its implementation by local users, relevant
government authorities and NGOs with experience in the payment of the environmental services evaluated: The EA has been working with local stakeholders during the research activities, who have evenprovided feedback to refine outputs.
 Training workshops with local communities took place during the second semester of 2014.

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Page 67Training for governmental authorities will be tailored in terms of information for decision and policy
making. Results were shared with federal and state governments in June 2015 with theattendance of high level state authorities, including the State Minister of Environment and theState Delegate for the National Ministry of Environment, in addition to representatives of othergovernment agencies and research institutions. The quality of the research was praised by theofficials who requested the EA to make presentations to decision making authorities at a higher
level.

Achievements, impacts and lessons learned:
Project activities have heavily involved the participation of local communities, who are the owners of theforests that provide several environmental services on the coastal plains of Veracruz, in the Gulf of Mexico.
Such involvement has already created awareness among the locals about the benefits derived from theforest, the importance of its preservation and its sustainable management. In fact, the authors of the
publication on medicinal plants are the women from the community of “Jamapa”.
The quality of the research was praised by the officials from the State and Federal governments at thepresentation made in June 2015. The government officials requested the EA to make presentations todecision making authorities at a higher level.
The project is intending to publish five publications. Drafts of all publications are giving due credit to ITTO,
these and are as follows: Catalogue on local medicinal plants (published) Perceptions of local communities on coastal forest and their environmental services
 Manual of best practices in the use of endemic trees in paddocks
 Manual on forest restoration
In addition the following outreach material is being produced, which also give proper recognition to ITTO: Two posters on environmental services (published) One comic book (published) Four brochures (published) Video (under production)
As a result of the field work conducted, the project team has published four scientific articles in Ocean andcoastal management scientific journal, which also give proper recognition to ITTO.
Project results are also available a http://www1.inecol.edu.mx/costasustentable/esp/presentacion.htm
In terms of project sustainability, it is clear from the research and field work conducted so far, that PSA
activities outside the national programmes are not feasible, what is needed are productive alternatives link
to conservation and restoration, such as sylviculture and agroforestry, and plantations for firewood,ecotourism and handicraft making. In terms of continuation of project activities after completion, the EA willremain involved in conducting further research in the subject as it is part of its mandate. It is desirable that
presentation of results may take place at higher levels within the government as that can have a higher
impact for future action.

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Capacity building for developing REDD+ activities in the context of sustainable forest
management
Project number:

RED-PD 038/11 Rev.3 (F)Project country:

Myanmar

Budget:Total:

US$ 645,692

ITTO Contribution:

US$ 571,890

Government of Myanmar

US$ 73,802

Submitted by:

Government of Myanmar

Implementing agency:

Forest Department/Forest Research Institute. Ministry of Environmental
Conservation and Forestry (MOECAF), Myanmar.

Duration:

36 months

Financed at:

REDDES 3rd Cycle (2011)

Status:Ongoing

Summary:
Forests in Myanmar have contributed to the provision of abundant benefits to local, regional and global
communities especially in reducing Green House Gas (GHG) emissions and enhancing forest carbon
stocks and environmental services. The Toungoo District in the Bago Yoma region of Myanmar isapproximately 1,064,939 ha and it will be used as project site. Implementation on Reducing Emissions from
Deforestation and forest Degradation and Enhancing Forest Carbon Stocks (REDD-plus) throughsustainable forest management requires understanding and participation by all stakeholders. As theconcept and methodologies of REDD-plus are new to Myanmar, capacity building and awareness raising
for all levels of stakeholders are of crucial importance, and urgently needed. Accordingly, the development
objective of this project is to contribute to sustainable forest management in the Bago Yoma region to
improve the provision of environmental services and reduce GHG emissions from deforestation anddegradation and enhancement of carbon stocks. The specific objective of the project is to strengthen thecapacity of the Ministry of Forestry in REDD-plus initiatives. The expected outputs are: (i) REDD-plus
national strategies prepared, (ii) Institutional setting for capacity building on REDD-plus strengthened and(iii) Capacity built to conduct MRV of the carbon stock
Progress:
The project was approved and financed under the REDDES 1st Cycle 2011. After the conclusion of thenecessary administrative arrangements including the project agreement, the Executing Agency
commenced the project in October 2012. Since the Fiftieth Council Session and in accordance with themost recent project progress report submitted by the Executing Agency, progress in the implementation
can be summarized as follows:
Output 1.1 REDD-plus national strategy preparedInternational Workshop on REDD+ and Sustainable Landuse Management in Myanmar wasorganized on 16th~18th December 2014 at Forest Department, Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar incollaboration with several partners including AFoCo, UNU-IAS and Kyushu University inJapan. The workshop report has been published and distributed to interested parties. The
report can be downloaded at
http://www.mediafire.com/view/0es68qf44pd74y1/Proceeding_of_International_Workshop_on_REDD__and_sustaina
ble_landuse_management_in_Myanmar_%2816~18.12.2014%29.pdf

An extension and educational public talk about forest, climate change and efficient stove wasconducted at Let Pan Kone Village, Kyo Pin Thar Village and Thine Wa Village on 10th January
2015. On 5th April 2015, another extension and public educational talk relating to forest, climatechange and combatting illegal logging was conducted at Than Dadar Village, Okpho Village andThit Poke Pin Village of Yedahse Township, Taungoo District. During the two public talks, a total of
240 efficient stoves was distributed to villagers.

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Output 1.2 Institutional setting for capacity building on REDD-plus strengthenedA training course for free, prior and informed consent (FPIC) was held on 30 March - 3 April 2015
at Forest Research Institute, Yezin, Myanmar in order to clearly understand FPIC procedures andtechniques and to be able to apply practically such skills in the field. It was attended by a total of
30 trainees including 28 Deputy Rangers from Forest Department and Dry Zone Greening
Department.
On 20-29 May 2015, a training course on development of Free, Prior and Informed Consent(FPIC) and livelihood opportunities of rural people to support rural development was held at the
Pawlangyi Forest Camp, Paukkhaung Township, Pyay District, Bago Region. A total of 26 trainees
engaged in forest conservation activities in the region attended this training.

Output 1.3 Capacity to conduct MRV of carbon stock built

MRV Report has been prepared by Dr Moe Myint, MNR II, Kyaw Thinn Latt and Kyaw Zay Ya(WCS-Myanmar). This study estimates the above ground forest biomass, above ground forest
carbon, timber volume, basal area and number of trees on the National Forest Inventory data(2013) of Taungoo Forest Division. The study’s outcomes include that 1.05% of annual
deforestation rate was occurred in Taungoo District based on the forest cover changes on theLandsat Satellite imageries of years 2000, 2005, 2010 and 2014.

Achievements, impacts and lessons learned:
The project team has established a project’s Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/redd.psd.fd.moecaf andupdated project-related information. The project duration has been extended from 1st October 2015 to 30th
June 2016 without additional funds. Main activities to be implemented during the extension include:organization of an international workshop on REDD+, women and sustainable land use in Myanmar;
production of publications such as REDD+ Glossary, MRV guideline Book and National REDD+ Strategy;
and organization of a joint side event between FD and ITTO at UNFCCC COP 21 in Paris in December
2015. The side event proposal entitled “REDD+ within INDCs: Governance lessons learnt from community
forest management in the tropics” on 1 December 2015 was approved by UNFCCC Secretariat as an
official side event.

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Sustainable forest management and utilization of ecosystem services in forests managed by the
Ese'Eja native community in Infierno, Peru
Project number:

RED-PD 018/09 Rev.1 (F)Project country:

Peru

Budget:Total:

US$ 523,319

ITTO Contribution:

US$ 356,519

Government of Peru

US$ 166,800

Submitted by:

Government of Peru

Implementing agency:

Association for Investigation and Development, AIDER

Duration:

36 months

Financed at:

REDDES 2nd Cycle 2009

Status:Completed

Summary:
The project is aimed at strengthening the management of forests over which the community has acquired
utilization rights, so as to penetrate the emerging ecosystem services markets and thus generate additional
income to allow the community to obtain resources for the adequate management of their territory andecotourism concession. It will be implemented in the Ese’Eja native community of Infierno where a forest
concession was granted by the Peruvian Government to the community for ecotourism purposes in areas
located in the Madre de Dios region (Peru), within the buffer zone of the Tambopata National Reserve andthe Bahuaja Sonene National Park. Community capacities will be developed for the planning andestablishment of agreements approved by all community members for the use of forest resources andservices, thus establishing the basis for the development of a project for the reduction of emissions fromdeforestation and degradation (REDD). Recognizing that well-defined utilization and marketing rights are avital prerequisite for access to these markets, the project will facilitate the formalization of rights to trade
ecosystem services and to resolve existing land tenure conflicts in the concession area. These objectives
will be met with support from the Peruvian government, which will allow the community to progress towards
sustainable development.
Administrative Progress:
The Project Agreement regulating the implementation of the project was duly signed on 8 June 2010. The
Project Inception Report and the Detailed Work Programme have been received and approved by the ITTO
Secretariat and the first disbursement of funds was transferred to the Executing Agency on 13 September
2010 and project activities commenced shortly after that. The second, third and last disbursement of funds
for the implementation of the project were respectively made as made in July 2011, July 2012 and October
2013, after the Executing Agency submitted the required documentation for each disbursement and the
ITTO Secretariat evaluated and approved these
The project’s Steering Committee met for the first time at the end of June 2011 in Lima and further visitedthe Ese’Eja native community of Infierno, verifying in situ the current situation of the communities andforests there at that moment. The second and third meetings of the Steering Committee were also held at
the Ese’Eja native community of Infierno, in Madre de Dios, Peru in June 2012 and November 2013. The
fourth and last meeting was held in March 2015 in Lima, Peru. At this meeting, the Committee assessed
the current situation in the completion of the project’s activities and further provided recommendations so
as to successfully finalize the project. In addition, it appraised all technical documents and other products
prepared by the project, and discussed with the EA the critical pending issues, such as the final audited
report and the validation of the REDD Project Design Document for territories of the Ese’Eja native
community of Infierno. A strong emphasis was made on the sustainability of activities after completion andon the ensuing impacts it could create in the long-term. The project completed its activities in April 2015.
The Secretariat has received the Completion Report, several technical documents, and the Final Audited
Report and, as such, is reporting this project as completed.

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Technical Progress:
The Project’s field activities were completed in May 2014 and the overall project was reported ascompleted in April 2015. In accordance with the project document, all the planned activities were carriedout during the project’s lifespan and its achievements can be summarized by major outputs and products
envisaged by the project, as follows:
Output 1: There is community consensus on the priority actions for the management of forest
resources
100% of the activities required to achieve this output were completed, as follows:






A socio-economic study of the Ese’Eja native community of Infierno was finalized;
Utilizing the aforementioned socio-economic study as a basis, several community-wide workshops
were organized to evaluate the current and potential use of natural resources. Moreover, based on
the inputs obtained at these workshops, a diagnostic study was done on the use, impact andactors involved in the management of the natural resources in the region
A strategy and an action plan for community forest management was developed in a participatory
manner; andAn office was established in the community center to enable capacity development within thecommunity and is currently operational. Presentations and workshops have been conducted.

Output 2: Legal rights for the use of forest resources in the community territory and ecotourism
concession area are endorsed and secured
100% of the activities required to achieve this output were finalized, as follows:The study on legal community rights over their forest resources and territory was completed andsocialized with the communities involved;
Based on the aforementioned study, some legal and topographic exercises were carried out tophysically delimit the communal territory and further define and permanently attain the legal
ownership rights; andCommunity involvement in developing a policy on PES was ensured via participatory subactivities.

Output 3: Community forest management incorporated as part of a REDD scheme
100% of the activities required to achieve this output have been completed, as follows:







AIDER participated in the development of the Madre de Dios Regional Baseline. Moreover, it
presided over the Deforestation Analysis and Modelling Sub-Commission of the Madre de Dios
Roundtable on Environmental Services and REDD (MESAR), and was also a member of the
Carbon Sub-Commission;
Thematic cartography was completed, and the community now has a forest stratification map of its
territory and its ecotourism concession. An analysis of the historic deforestation within the
aforementioned area was also completed. In addition, the carbon inventory was finalized anddisseminated among the locals as a technical document;
The project formulated a REDD Project Design Document (PDD) for the Ese’Eja community
forests of Infierno, following the standards developed by the Climate, Community and Biodiversity
Alliance (CCBA) and the Voluntary Carbon Standard (VCS); andThe validation process was finalized by AENOR, a Spanish VCS-CCB validation and verificationcompany, and its’ report is expected shortly. The community is currently in a position to offer
carbon credits on the voluntary market.

Achievements, impacts and lessons learned:
Overall, there was a delay in the implementation of the project. This was mainly due to the validation andverification of the REDD Project Design Document (PDD) developed for the Ese’Eja community forests ofInfierno, which was carried out by the external Spanish VCS-CCB validation and verification company,

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AENOR, and took much longer than initially planned. The Project, however, has produced many outputs
and products, among them the REDD Project Design Document (PDD), several studies, maps andtechnical documents, among others. Among these, the following are worthwhile mentioning:
1. Estudio socioeconómico de la Comunidad Nativa de Infierno.
2. Diagnóstico del uso, impacto y actores involucrados con la gestión de los recursos naturales delbosque de la Comunidad Nativa de Infierno.
3. Guía de campo para la estimación del carbono almacenado en la biomasa de los bosques
administrados por la Comunidad Nativa Ese´Eja de Infierno y su concesión de ecoturismo en la
Región Madre de Dios
4. Estimación del carbono almacenado en la biomasa de los bosques administrados por la
Comunidad Nativa Ese´Eja de Infierno y su concesión de ecoturismo en la Región Madre de Dios
5. Estimación de los cambios en el carbono almacenado y emisiones de gases efecto invernaderoproducidas por deforestación no planificada en escenario de línea base de la Comunidad Nativa
de Infierno –Región Madre de Dios.
6. Estudio legal para ratificar y mantener los derechos legales de uso de los recursos del bosque enel territorio comunal y en la concesión de ecoturismo de la Comunidad Nativa de Infierno
7. Topografía legal de la Comunidad Nativa Ese'Eja Infierno
8. Plan de acción para la gestión del bosque de la Comunidad Nativa de Infierno
9. Memoria Descriptiva del Territorio Comunal de Infierno con Resolución de Reconocimiento.
10. Documento de Proyecto (PD) VCS REDD+ “EVIO KUIÑAJI ESE´EJA CUANA, PARAMITIGAR EL CAMBIO CLIMATICO, MADRE DE DIOS – PERÚ”
11. Anexo metodológico del Documento de Proyecto (PD) VCS REDD+ “EVIO KUIÑAJI ESE´EJA
CUANA, PARA MITIGAR EL CAMBIO CLIMATICO, MADRE DE DIOS – PERÚ”
12. Documento de Diseño de Proyecto (PDD) CCB REDD+ “EVIO KUIÑAJI ESE´EJA CUANA,
PARA MITIGAR EL CAMBIO CLIMATICO, MADRE DE DIOS – PERÚ”
13. Reporte de monitoreo del primer periodo de reducción de emisiones.
These publications, describing the achievements, impacts and lessons learnt of the project, havealso been uploaded onto the ITTO website (in Spanish only) for a greater dissemination to all our
member countries and other interested parties, and are available from the ITTO project search toolat http://www.itto.int/project_search/.
Among other achievements and impacts, as reflected in the project’s REDDES Monitoring Protocol
report, the following are worth highlighting:







11,000 hectares under sustainable forest management.The native community of Infierno
implements forest management actions in their community forest.
0ne avoided deforestation initiative based on native communities with defined land rights anduse of natural resources and 11, 000 hectares of forests with forest cover and changing land
use under control.
One forest landscape restoration initiative: A demonstration project managed by thecommunity was established to recover degraded areas with additional funding from theinternational cooperation (IICA -Finland).
The native community of Infierno is to perceive additional revenues derived from a REDD
project.
The native community of Infierno has developed a greater awareness of ecosystem services
provided by their community forests.
The native community of Infierno has become skilled in the REDD, PES, sustainable forest
management and forest restoration activities.

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Value adding to environmental services from managed forests belonging to seven communities in
the Ucayali region
Project number:

RED-PD 033/11 Rev.3 (F)Project country:

Peru

Budget:Total:

US$ 654,965

ITTO Contribution:

US$ 415,384

Government of Peru

US$ 239,581

Submitted by:

Government of Peru

Implementing agency:

Asociación para la Investigación y el Desarrollo Integral – AIDER

Duration:

24 months

Financed at:

REDDES 3rd Cycle (2011)

Status:Completed

Summary:
The project is to be implemented in the territories of 7 native communities of the Ucayali Region. It is aimed
at strengthening the management of community forests and enhancing the capacities of indigenous
communities to incorporate the marketing of carbon and other environmental services into integrated forest
management practices in order to penetrate carbon markets. This will allow the communities to generate
additional income, providing them with the resources required for the adequate administration of theirterritories and management of their forests. The project will develop community skills for the planning andconclusion of agreements among all members regarding the use of forest goods and services, thus
establishing the basis for the development of a project to reduce emissions from deforestation anddegradation (REDD) and for the adjustment of forest production processes to the PES (payment forenvironmental services) scheme. The proposal is based on the premise that clearly defined use andmarketing rights are an essential pre-requisite to access these markets. These objectives will be achieved
with the support of the Peruvian government, which will ensure the progress of the communities towards
sustainable development
Progress:
Administrative Progress:
The Project Agreement regulating the implementation of the project was duly signed on 28 February 2012.
The Project Inception Report and the Detailed Work Programme have been received and approved by the
ITTO Secretariat and the first disbursement of funds was transferred to the Executing Agency on 3 April
2012 and project activities commenced shortly after that. The project’s Steering Committee met for the firsttime at the end of August 2012 in Lima to review and guide the project in its start-up activities. To date all
disbursements of funds have been transferred to AIDER, after verifying the executing agency’s compliancewith the conditions established for each of these, the last being transferred in March 2014. The second andthird meetings of the Steering Committee were also held in Peru, at both the involved communities in
Pucallpa and in Lima, Peru in November 2012 and October 2013 respectively. The fourth and last meeting
was held in March 2015 in Lima, Peru. At this meeting, the Committee assessed the current situation in thecompletion of the project’s activities and further provided recommendations so as to successfully finalize
the project. The project completed its activities in April 2015. The Secretariat has received the Completion
Report, several technical documents and the Final Audited Report and, as such, is reporting this project ascompleted.
Technical Progress:
The Project’s field activities were completed in October 2014 and the overall project was reported ascompleted in April 2015. In accordance with the project document, all the planned activities were carriedout during the project’s lifespan and its achievements can be summarized by major outputs and products
envisaged by the project, as follows:ITTC(LI)/7
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Output 1: Native communities have acquired the technical capacity to improve their efficiency in forest
management, complying with the conditions required by REDD.
100% of this output has been achieved, as follows: A diagnostic study was carried out in each of the seven communities via participatory workshops,
in order to establish their training needs in forest management for timber, non-timber forest
products and environmental services; Based on the results of the aforementioned diagnostic studies, a training plan was developed
based on their knowledge needs; Based on the training plan, several specific training modules were designed, developed andimplemented at the 7 native communities, particularly on topics such as strengthening community
organizational capacities, SFM, RIL, and the use of field instruments, among others. Overall, 15
people from each community are now trained in SFM techniques and the sustainable production oftimber and non-timber products;
 7 annual timber harvesting plans have been approved by the competent authorities andimplemented by the communities for two years in a row; and 2 NTFP management plans have been approved by the competent authorities and operational;
Output 2: REDD forms part of the forest management planning in the 7 communities.
100% of this output has also been achieved, as follows: A participatory rural diagnostic was carried out and a plan was further developed for the communal
awareness campaign; REDD training workshops have been carried out in the seven communities: Buenos Aires,
Curiaca, Flor de Ucayali, Pueblo Nuevo, Puerto Nuevo, Sinchi Roca and Roya. 35 workshops
were organized and 105 locals have been trained in REDD mechanisms;
 A study to stratify the forest and other areas in the project’s area of influence has been completed; A study on the carbon stocks has been completed for the project’s area of influence; A study on the historic quantification of the accumulated deforestation in the project’s area ofinfluence has also been finalized;
 A modeling study on future deforestation has been finalized and a PDD developed; A REDD Project Design Document (PDD) has been formulated following the standards developedby the Climate, Community and Biodiversity Alliance (CCBA) and the Voluntary Carbon Standard(VCS); and The validation process was carried out by AENOR, a Spanish VCS-CCB validation and verificationcompany, and its’ report emitted in September 2014, and the communities are now in a position tooffer carbon credits on the voluntary market.
Output 3: Native communities have acquired management capacity for the production and marketing oftimber, NTFPs and forest carbon.
100% of this output has been achieved, as follows: Workshops on community self-evaluation and refection were carried out and each community
established a consultative group conformed by 6 community members. Moreover, these groups
actively participated in the community’s forest management activities and in the elaboration andexecution of the communal REDD strategies of the project;
 A training plan for enterprise management was elaborated with a view towards improving themarketing of the goods and services provided by the communal forests, and one communal
business management committee was democratically established for the 7 communities;
 7 timber business plans were developed, one for each community, and non-timber forest productbusiness plans were further developed for 2 communities;
 1 carbon credit business plan was developed and implemented for the 7 communities;and A Project Consultative committee, comprised of 6 public and private institutions has been
established and has already met once to discuss project implementation.

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Achievements, impacts and lessons learned:
The Executing Agency has produced a number of products, including several studies and technicaldocuments which are available at http://www.itto.int/project_search. Among these, the following (in Spanish only)
are worthwhile mentioning:
1.
2.

Estudio de Estratificación de los Bosques del Área del Proyecto.
Estimación del Carbono Almacenado en la Biomasa del Bosque de las Comunidades Nativas deCallería, Flor de Ucayali, Bueno Aires, Roya, Curiaca, Pueblo Nuevo del Caco y Puerto Nuevo.
3. Plan de campañas de sensibilización comunal sobre la importancia del bosque.
4. Plan de capacitación de recursos maderables y no maderables en 07 comunidades nativas de laregión Ucayali.
5. Plan de Capacitación sobre REDD+.
6. Diagnostico Social Económico en Cinco Comunidades Shipibo – Conibo.
7. Diagnostico Social Económico en Dos Comunidades Cacataibo.
8. Línea base social para el proyecto REDD y evaluación de impactos
9. Marco lógico para la elaboración de la estrategia REDD del proyecto.
10. Plan de Capacitación en Gestión Empresarial.
11. Campañas de Sensibilización Comunal – Informe de Implementación.
12. Informe Técnico: Diseño de un proyecto REDD en comunidades nativas
Among other achievements and impacts, as reflected by the indicators mentioned in the project’s REDDES
Monitoring Protocol report, the following stand out:







142,247.5 hectares under sustainable forest management in 7 Shipibo Conibo indigenous
communities in the Peruvian department of Ucayali (Sinchi Roca, Puerto Nuevo, Callería, Flor de
Ucayali, Roya, Curiaca and Pueblo Nuevo). The communities implement these forest
management actions in their community forest with a view towards reducing current deforestationand forest degradation.
The 7 native communities to perceive additional revenues derived from a validated REDD Project
Design Document (PDD) under the CCB, and Verified Carbon Standard, which encompasses
127,004.0 hectares
The 7 native communities have developed a greater awareness of ecosystem services provided
by their community forests.
The 7 native communities has become skilled in the REDD, PES, sustainable forest management
and forest restoration activities.
4 communities obtained Voluntary Forest Certifications from the FSC.

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Rehabilitation and restoration of residual forests and arid savannah lands in the Akpé and Akama
valleys
Project number:

RED-PD 031/11 Rev.1 (F)Project country:

Togo

Budget:Total:

US$ 773,349

ITTO Contribution:

US$ 478,894

Government of Togo

US$ 294,455

Submitted by:

Government of Togo

Implementing agency:

Office de Développement et d’Exploitation des Forêts

Duration:

36 months

Financed at:

REDDES 3rd Cycle (2011)

Status:Ongoing

Summary:
The project is the result of pre-project PPD 7/98 Rev. 2 (F) and simultaneously aims to implement therehabilitation and restoration of residual forests and the conversion of arid savannah lands in the AkpossoAkébou landscape for timber production with the involvement of local communities in order to improve thesocio-economic conditions of local communities.
It provides for the enrichment planting of natural forests (200 ha), agro-forestry lots (50 ha), gallery forests(50 ha) and the establishment of 300-ha new forest plantations. To secure the sustainability of thisrehabilitation: i) a co-ordination mechanism will be established between stakeholders; ii) local communities
will be effectively trained in participatory management; iii) and most of all, a management plan will beestablished and implemented by a management unit to be created.
Progress:
No progress report was submitted in August 2015 by the project Executing Agency (Office deDéveloppement et d’Exploitation des Forêts / ODEF) which informed the Secretariat that the preparation of
the completion report was under way, as all project activities have been completed in the field, as acontribution for the rehabilitation and restoration of residual forests and savannah lands in the Akpe andAkama Valleys, in Togo.
Achievements, impacts and lessons learned:
Achievements, impacts and lessons learned should be documented with the completion report underpreparation by the Executing Agency (Office de Développement et d’Exploitation des Forêts / ODEF) at thenext Council.

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Reducing deforestation and forest degradation in the Natchambonga and Djiyega community
forests by promoting participatory forest management actions
Project number:

RED-SPD 092/12 Rev.1 (F)Project country:

Togo

Budget:Total:

US$ 290,377

ITTO Contribution:

US$ 149,904

Government of Togo:

US$ 140,473

Submitted by:

Government of Togo

Implementing agency:

Water and Forest Authority

Duration:

24 months

Financed at:

REDDES 4th Cycle (2012)

Status:Ongoing

Summary:
The project aims to contribute to the restoration and rehabilitation of the Natchambonga and Djiyega
forests to ensure the value-added development of environmental services and to improve the livelihoods ofpeople in the savannah region of Togo. It will reduce unplanned deforestation and forest degradation forthe benefit of local communities. Project activities aim to establish 50 ha of grazing pastures, 100 ha of fuelwood plantations; to redefine transhumance corridors (for seasonal movement) through stakeholders’consensus; to establish 10 reservoirs; to support forest protection; to improve charcoal production
technology; to improve agricultural practices; to conduct extension work and raise awareness ofregulations; to train stakeholders in SFM/SLM techniques; to train 50 stakeholders in GHG evaluation; andto train and equip local forest management committees.
Progress:
The Project Agreement regulating the implementation of this small project was duly signed on 31 January
2013. An Inception Report and related Detailed Work Plan were submitted and approved by the ITTO
Secretariat. The 24-month project implementation began with the disbursement of the first installment of TP
funds on 10 April 2013. In accordance with the project’s most recent progress report and the monthly
highlights submitted through the project on-line monitoring system, progress in project implementation canbe summarized as follows:
Output 1: The land-use allocation process is improved through the rehabilitation of 150 ha of degraded
forests
 1.1: 46.5 ha out 50 had been planted on the identified transhumance corridors with the following
species: Leucaena leucocephala, Peltophorum ferrugineum and Albizzia lebbeck. The aim was toprovide grazing pastures for livestock farmers and transhumant herders in order to contribute toresolve the conflict among stakeholders caused by the destruction/degradation of forest land andfood crops by cattle during the transhumance period.
 1.2: 97 ha out of 100 had been planted with the following tree species: Azadirachta indica, Senna
siamea, Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Tamarindus indica, Vittelaria paradoxa, Parkia bigloboso andKhaya senegalensis. The aim was to establish forest plantations for fuelwood production with the
involvement of local communities.
 1.3: Transhumance corridors had been demarcated and established through a consensus andparticipatory process involving relevant stakeholders.
 1.4: 10 watering holes had been established near the sites selected for the establishment ofnurseries for the production of forest seedlings in the following villages: Boumbouaka, Dapaong,
Kountouare, Gniampoule and Bouldjoare. These watering holes had been supervised by local
management committee established in each village.
Output 2: Natural resources are sustainably used by organizing farmers and charcoal producers, andITTC(LI)/7
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putting in place local committees
 2.1: Fire prevention activities had been carried out by local communities with the surveillancegroups established after being trained by project experts mobilized for that purpose.
 2.2: Additional training workshops had been organized for the dissemination and extension of
improved techniques for charcoal production in the target project area, at the request some local
communities.
Output 3: Technical and managerial capacities are enhanced through capacity training on charcoal
production techniques and on greenhouse gases (GHG) evaluation.
 3.1: Continuation of training workshops and meetings conducted by the NGO called RAFIA for theextension and dissemination works aiming to raise awareness on the forest-related regulations at
national and local levels.
 3.2: Additional training activities had been carried out by the same NGO, RAFIA, on key aspects
regarding the sustainable forest management (SFM) and sustainable landscape management(SLM) techniques.
Achievements, impacts and lessons learned:
Capacity of local communities improved for their efficient involvement in the management of their forest
resources and landscape, including savannas to be reforested or managed for pasture activities. The
involvement of local communities in the implementation of activities is contributing to reduce/combat theforest and landscape degradation due to human activities (bush fire for slash and burn agriculture, charcoal
and fuelwood, etc.).

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CFME
Enabling customary landowners to participate effectively in CFM and REDD schemes withinfour pilot areas of PNG
Project number:

CFM-PPD 006/10 Rev.1 (F)Project country:

PNG

Budget:Total:

US$ 156,040

ITTO Contribution:

US$ 122,040

Government of PNG:

US$ 34,000

Submitted by:

Government of PNG

Implementing agency:

PNG Forest Authority

Duration:

9 months

Financed at:

CFME 1st Cycle (2010)

Status:Completed

Summary:
The Pre-Project Proposal is a direct outcome of the “PNG Forestry and Climate Change Policy Framework
for Action”, highlighting the need for engaging customary landowners at the local level and enhancing thecapacity of government institutions at the national level. Forest communities in the four pilot areas are
dependent upon forest products and services for subsistence and commercial purposes. The Pre-Projectwill enable the PNG Forest Authority to formulate a Full-Project Proposal to support CFM and REDD
schemes in PNG through the establishment of a model platform for collecting and managing data and otherinformation related to customary land ownership and forest quality. The Pre-Project will enable participating
communities, the PNG Forest Authority and other stakeholders to systematically gather and consolidate
forest and land tenure information using a single platform to jointly address the interrelated challenges of
CFM and REDD.
Progress:
The pre-project agreement regulating the implementation of the pre-project was finalized in April 2011. The
first installment of funds was delivered on 1 November 2012. The Executing Agency began theimplementation of the pre-project activities in January 2013 and submitted the project completion report in
February 2014. Since the Secretariat received an independent financial audit report in September 2015,
the implementation of the pre-project is fully completed.
OUTPUT 1: Eight demonstration sites selected with customary landowners and local CFM/REDD partners
in place

Assessed 5 local partners and selected 3 using a partner assessment survey. Six partners havenow been selected with a low-medium risk assessment
Visited selected local partners to (i) collect any additional assessment information needed; and (ii)discuss selected sites and landownership mapping with reference to PRA guidelines and tools.
Received landownership maps of selected sites from 2 local partners.

OUTPUT 2: Local forest resource assessment and land ownership mapping system is designed forcustomary landowners and CFEs


Completed PRA guidelines and tools for local partners.
Baseline data received from 2 local partners.

OUTPUT 3: An interactive online platform is designed for managing forest and land tenure data andfacilitating collaboration between the PNGFA, forest communities, NGOs and investors

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Page 80Completed literature review with annotated biography of articles on 8 key topics and 127
publications. These were uploaded to the project "drop-box".
Completed an organizational review with background information on 28 key organizations.
Updated the CFM-REDD database of information on CFM-REDD partners.

Achievements, impacts and lessons learned:
The pre-project aimed to design a model community-based land ownership mapping and forest resource
assessment system that supports CFM schemes within four pilot areas of PNG. The project management
team first selected six local CFM partners from each region of Papua New Guinea with target landownergroups and demonstration areas in place. PRA tools were then used to collect a set of baseline data fromselected sample sites within each demonstration area. The second round of data collection activities usedweb- and paper-based questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, and organizational and literature
reviews to identify objectives, requirements and options for: (i) resource assessment and land ownershipmapping, and (ii) acquiring and utilising land ownership and forest resource data in PNG. The fieldresearch findings and recommendations have been incorporated into two technical reports.
Technical Report 1 provides an overall assessment of the project’s social, economic and environmental
baseline data, together with a detailed description of each selected sample area. The findings revealed adiverse project context - with similar strengths and weaknesses at the community level - in which local
partners offer target landowners an important link with the outside world; opening up new opportunities forenhancing rural livelihoods. Technical Report 2 shows that assets such as technical capacity, land tenureand environmental data, equipment for recording information, software for analyzing data, and internet
connectivity are relevant to the objectives of the project.
The PNG Forest Authority hosted a 3-day project planning workshop to finalize the framework for a fullproject with reference to the technical report findings. Project partners and key stakeholders agreed thatthe full-project proposal was needed to establish a model community-based land ownership mapping andforest resource assessment system that supports CFM schemes (including PES and REDD+) andincreases landowner understanding about the goods and services that forests provide. Workshop
participants also identified four outputs that will lead to the delivery of the project’s specific objective. These
include: Participatory data collection technology is improving CFM practices at community, district andprovincial levels; Clan groups are participating appropriately in the National Land Development Program; Adata management system is engaging landowners in feasible CFM schemes (including PES and REDD+);and Policy and planning guidelines for CFM are in place.
The full proposal (PD 764/14 (F): Enabling Customary Landowners to Participate Effectively in Community
Forest Management Schemes within 6 Pilots Areas of PNG) developed by the pre-project was rated
Category 1 by the 45th Expert Panel.

The pre-project has confirmed that a CFM framework is needed that engages customary landowners at the
local level, as well as enhances the capacity of government institutions at the national level. The full-project
incorporates the lessons that were discussed during the pre-project, including:







Climate change / REDD+ interventions involves complex, cross-sectoral issues which require
multi-stakeholder inputs at all levels (from national to local)
Governance issues should not be overlooked. In PNG, government processes are often fasttracked and proper technical appraisal side-lined. Independent technical bodies are needed to
guide the development of government policies and strategies.
Policies, strategies, frameworks, programs and projects should (i) be based on a common
foundation to ensure cost-effective, successful outcomes, (ii) focus on priority issues & costeffective actions, (iii) tackle local level constraints, and involve departments responsible for
empowering landowners (e.g. Department of Lands).
In any REDD+ project, the Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) process is key. This process
will ensure full participation of communities (thus landowners) at all stages of the project cycle.
FPIC is an ongoing process that leads to (changing) outcomes all through.
Need to compile existing lessons from the implementation of clan-based forest management /natural resource management initiatives in the country in order to facilitate the effective design andimplementation of REDD+ policies and activities

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TMT

Support for ANAFOR for optimum operation of the database management of Pericopsis Elata(Assamela) in Cameroon
Project number:

TMT-SPD 020/15 (M)Project country:

Cameroon

Budget:Total:

US$ 113,400

ITTO Contribution:

US$ 113,400

Submitted by:

Government of Cameroon

Implementing agency:

ANAFOR

Duration:

10 months

Financed at:

TMT 5th Cycle (2015)

Status:Ongoing

Summary:
The database (Dbase) on Assamela established as part of the ITTO/CITES Joint Regional Programme on
monitoring of plant species listed in Appendix II has operated under sub-optimal conditions. Remotelocations of production and/or processing sites, or energy deficit problems, use of one data formats bylogging companies, among many others, are obvious constraints associated with any physical collection of
production data to feed the Dbase, which prevent the efficient operation of this Dbase. This project has
been developed in response to the identified challenges with the aim to ensure the proper operation of theAssamela Dbase by involving all stakeholders in the management of the species in Cameroon. The
activities will allow ANAFOR to ensure harmonization of the data collection format for Assamela; to train
managers of forest management units in logging companies, as well as the staff of the Forest and Customs
Departments due to take over from ANAFOR the responsibility to conduct the regular collection of data at
forest sites and shipping ports. The database management unit shall also be provided with equipment andtechnical resources to ensure the continuous monitoring of the collection system and updating of thespecies processing/recovery rate for the next two years.
Progress:
The project has been approved under the 5th TMT Cycle (2015). The project agreement has been signed
on 6 July 2015 and the project is ongoing.

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Supporting SMEs and importers of tropical timber for better understanding of CITES and the needto comply with CITES rules in China
Project number:

TMT-SPD 023/15 Rev.1 (M)Project country:

China

Budget:Total:

US$ 246,800

ITTO Contribution:

US$ 150,000

Submitted by:

Government of China

Implementing agency:

Research Institute of Forestry Policy and Information, Chinese Academy ofForestry (RIFPI/CAF)

Duration:

18 months

Financed at:

TMT 5th Cycle (2015)

Status:Ongoing

Summary:
Legality requirements and timber procurement policies are being introduced in many countries. These
requirements and policies are principally aimed at addressing public concerns about the legal andenvironmental credentials of products. Many purchasers are demanding that products should come fromsustainable, or at least legal, sources and that this be verifiable in order to maintain credibility with buyers
in the market place.
These requirements and policies have significant implications for tropical timber importers andmanufacturers. As developments are occurring at a rapid rate, there is an urgent need for tropical wood
product importers and manufacturers to monitor these developments, assess the costs in meeting theserequirements and explore the market implications and opportunities presented by these developments.
The project aims to raise the capacity of SMEs and importers of tropical timber in Yangtze River Delta tounderstand and prepare procurement strategies and business plans to take into account the developmentof CITES Appendices, with a view to improving market transparency and promoting the trade in tropicaltimber from sustainably managed and legally harvested forests
Progress:
The project has been approved under the 5th TMT Cycle (2015). The project agreement has beensigned on 18 August 2015 and the project is ongoing.

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Establishment of a monitoring center for the industrial use of P. Elata in the Congo Republic
Project number:

TMT-SPD 021/15 Rev.1 (I)Project country:

Congo Republic

Budget:Total:

US$ 143,000

ITTO Contribution:

US$ 130,000

Submitted by:

Government of the Congo Republic

Implementing agency:

National Centre for Forest and Wildlife Resources Inventory andManagement (CNIAF)

Duration:

12 months

Financed at:

TMT 5th Cycle (2015)

Status:Ongoing

Summary:This project aims to establish a monitoring center for P. elata industrial use in the Republic of Congo. The
expected results are: (1) The flow of information on logging activities is designed, (2) The information data
to be secured are identified, (3) the architecture of the information system is developed, ( 4) the data arecollected and stored, (5) Users of the information system are trained. The monitoring center will focus on
the harvesting and processing of Afrormosia timber. It primarily aims to inform management and planning
decisions as well as to meet the information needs of the scientific community. The system will be capableof securing and facilitating the monitoring of information related to the industrial use of the Afrormosia
species.
Progress:
The project has been approved under the 5th TMT Cycle (2015). The project agreement has beensigned on 29 June 2015 and the project is ongoing.

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Preparation of the publication “atlas of tropical timber species – 1st Edition: Technologicalcharacteristics and uses of 273 tropical timber species (and 17 temperate species)
Project number:

TMT-SPD 010/12 Rev.1 (M)Project country:

FranceBudget:Total:

US$ 273,789

ITTO Contribution:

US$ 138,033

CIRAD

US$ 135,756

Submitted by:FranceImplementing agency:

CIRAD

Duration:

24 months

Financed at:

TMT 3rd Cycle (2012)

Status:Ongoing

Summary:
The project aims to produce, publish and disseminate an Atlas of tropical timber species covering theinformation contained in the latest TROPIX software (version 7 - 2011) distributed by CIRAD; the very firstversion of this software was developed in the late 1980s by CTFT (CIRAD Forestry Department) withfinancial support from ITTO. This new Atlas is meant to be a continuation of the three former timber Atlas
covering Africa, South America, and Asia respectively, the last of these three books (on timber from SouthAmerica) have been produced and published in 1988 by CTFT and ATIBT with financial support from ITTO.
The three books are still in high demand among operators of the timber sector but they are partly out of
print; in addition, most of the information contained is partly obsolete and should be updated andsupplemented. The Atlas will be published in French and English (TROPIX is available in these two
languages). The new edition will be associated with the release of a new version of TROPIX (version 8)
describing species in greater number than the current version 7 (290 total instead of the current 245) andhaving new technological features requested by operators in the timber sector.
The project is funded under a grant from the EU to the ITTO-CITES program which provides for part of thefunds pledged to be used for TMT activities with objectives relevant to both programs.
Progress:
The project agreement was signed in September 2013. The project implementation has started in October
2013 and the project is well on track in accordance with the work plan. The following activities have been
carried out:







Additional desk research and literature review
Additional technology tests and scanningo Thermal diffusivity coefficient: Additional test campaign on 28 species (2 groups of wood,density between 0.30 and 0.42 on the one hand, and between 0.92 and 1.17 on theother); the results complemented those of the test campaign 2014
o Wood Pictures: pictures of the new species to be included in the Atlas have been scanned
o Additional technological features: about 95% of the tests undertaken to determine thesedata have been completed with some wood samples yet to be collected from partner
laboratories and private operators.
Collection of photographs of works or wood products: the collection takes more time because thespecies concerned are not marketed; the collection also needs to be accompanied by requests for
authorization of use to stakeholders.
Technical description for species to be added in Tropix and Atlas. 285 reviews (87%) about 328
planned have been drafted.
Proofreading of technical descriptions of the Atlas internally (members of the technical andscientific project team and co-author of the Atlas) and externally (industrial partners and private
operators involved in the tropical timber industry and players ATIBT), simultaneously with the

ITTC(LI)/7
Page 85drafting of the last technical descriptions.
Finalization of the Atlas manuscript for the printers: posting the new version of Tropix (Version 7.5)in spring 2015 (http://tropix.cirad.fr/); realization of the model under discussion with the editor, the
QUAE (www.quae.com); prospect of simultaneous editing of an "e-pub" version.

Achievements, impacts and lessons learned:
The number of species described in the Atlas has been increased. Initially 290 species to be described inbook to produce, this number was increased to 330 species because it was considered of major interest tocover a wider range tropical species involved in regular trade. The increase in the number of species
described is worth to do though it will add the volume of work. Despite some delays, the project is welladvanced and its implementation is satisfactorily. The project is expected to be completed in 2016 with the
publication of the Atlas.

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Improving intra-African trade and market transparency in timber and timber products
Project number:

TMT-SPD 012/12 Rev.1 (M)Project country:

Ghana

Budget:Total:

US$ 149,996

ITTO Contribution:

US$ 111,931

Ghana Timber Millers Organization:

US$

Submitted by:

Ghana

Implementing agency:

Ghana Timber Millers Organization (GTMO)

Duration:

24 months

Financed at:

TMT 3rd Cycle (2012)

Status:Ongoing

38,065

Summary:
African timber suppliers accounted for less 10% per year of the total African imports of timber and timber
products (ITTO 2010). One major constraint identified was the lack of knowledge among traders in theregion. This proposal seeks to increase knowledge of the regional market and promote trade (and thus
leading to an increased intra-African market share) within the region through active engagement of traders
and information provision. The outputs of the study will be an online timber marketplace, capacity buildingof enterprises to leverage ICT to enhance their competitiveness, and a geospatial database of market
access and logistic information. The online timber marketplace will catalogue timber companies, tradeleads and provide a social media tool to facilitate liaison among African traders. At the marketplace, regularsurveys will be conducted with trader and market intelligence will be gleaned, prepared and reported on thewebsite for the various users.
The project is funded under a grant from the EU to the ITTO-CITES program which provides for part of thefunds pledged to be used for TMT activities with objectives relevant to both programs.
Progress:
The technical activities under this project have been completed and the Executing Agency in the process of
preparing the completion report and final audit. Activities completed during the reporting period include:Translation of the Web content into French (Activity 1.3.2);
Interviews with marketing staff (Activity 2.3.1);
Data analysis and reporting (Activity 3.2.2): andWeb design and hosting (Activity 3.4.2)

Achievements, impacts and lessons learned:
The website for an online timber marketplace has been designed and developed. The design of African
Timber Newsletter and social pages has been finalized. The online marketplace will promote trade andincrease awareness of market information among traders in the region. The newsletter will convey relevant
and timely information to actors in the marketplace. The marketing training will enhance the ability ofcompanies to craft effective marketing strategies. The translation of the website into French has been
completed as far as possible. The completion report is in preparation

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Improving sustainable Pericopsis elata conservation and trade regulation in Ghana
Project number:

TMT-SPD 017/15 Rev.2 (M)Project country:

Ghana

Budget:Total:

US$ 186,611

ITTO Contribution:

US$ 149,997

Submitted by:

Government Ghana

Implementing agency:

Nature and Development Foundation

Duration:

18 months

Financed at:

TMT 5th Cycle (2015)

Status:Ongoing

Summary:This project is aimed at establishing the current conservation and trade status of Pericopsis elata in
Ghana. This will be done through a habitat survey to assess the distribution and quantities of Pericopsis
elata in Ghana and also ascertain the current market dynamics in its trade. The main objective of the
project is to improve the availability of current data on the distribution, quantities and trade of Pericopsis
elata in Ghana. The project will enable the FC to adopt the designed and tested tools and mechanisms
to improve market regulation and put in effective interventions for its sustainable conservation. To
guarantee sustainability of objectives and outcomes, the continuous support and guidance of NDF will
be readily available to the FC and industry players.
Progress:
The project has been approved under the 5th TMT Cycle (2015). The project agreement was signed on 27
July 2015 and the project is ongoing.

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Establishment of a fully documented reference sample collection and identification system for all
CITES-listed Dalbergia species and a feasibility study for Diospyros and look-alike species
Project number:

TMT-SPD 022/15 Rev.2 (M)Project country:

GlobalBudget:Total:

US$ 220,000

ITTO Contribution:

US$ 200,000

Submitted by:Collaborative Guatemala, Madagascar, Switzerland

Implementing agency:

Plant Ecological Genetics (PEG), Institute of Integrative Biology (IBZ), ETH
Zurich, Switzerland

Duration:

13 months

Financed at:

TMT 5th Cycle (2015)

Status:Pending Agreement

Summary:
With increasing international demand for precious tropical timber and the difficulties to prevent illegal
logging, pressure on source countries is rising to ensure legal and sustainable timber trade. In order to help
source countries with trade control, the parties of the Convention of International Trade in Endangered
Species (CITES) agreed on listing all Dalbergia and Diospyros spp. populations from Madagascar on
Appendix II. The listing of these species is helping CITES authorities and other involved institutions tobetter control the trade of wood products derived from these precious timbers on the international market
and is an important step towards a sustainable use of these species. Nonetheless, to enforce CITES
regulations, reliable and fast identification techniques for logs and wood products are needed. The main
objectives of the here proposed project are to 1) establish a fully documented reference sample collection
for all Dalbergia species currently listed in CITES Appendix I-III and 2) to finalize identification systems thatare being developed based on DNA analysis and wood anatomy for all Dalbergia species currently listed in
CITES. Experience gained from Dalbergia will then be used to 3) assess the feasibility of developing an
identification system for the species-rich ebony genus Diospyros and 4) to assess the feasibility ofincluding look-alike species of both taxa. Reaching these goals will help Madagascar with theimplementation of the Action plan for Dalbergia and Diospyros agreed at the CoP16.
Progress:
The project has been approved under the 5th TMT Cycle (2015) and is ‘Pending Agreement’

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Strengthening of the forest information system of Guatemala to improve market and tradetransparency and decision-making in the forest sector
Project number:

TMT-PD 004/11 Rev.2 (M)Project country:

GuatemalaBudget:Total:

US$ 656,562

ITTO Contribution:

US$ 359,716

Government of Guatemala

US$ 270,278

IUCN

US$ 26,568

Submitted by:

Government of Guatemala

Implementing agency:

Instituto Nacional de Bosques (INAB)

Duration:

36 months

Financed at:

TMT 2nd Cycle (2011)

Status:Ongoing

Summary:
Guatemala has launched the implementation of a national forest statistics information system available at
http://www.sifgua.org.gt/. In this second system enhancement phase, the project will strengthen strategic
information access and availability with a view to increasing the sustainable management of the country's
forest resources. To this end, processing tools need to be developed to link the various systems and toautomate technical procedures. The project also aims at fostering a pro-forest and environment culture bydeveloping and implementing a plan to build awareness on the system. Simultaneously, the project willcompile and analyse the strategic information required to support forest product monitoring and tracking,thus contributing to the reduction of illegal activities in this sector.
Progress:
Work has progressed on the redesign of the image of SIFGUA including the modernization of the logo andwebsite and generation of a strategy to better promote the advantages and benefits of SIFGUA in
Guatemala.
In terms of automation, SIFGUA now provides more interaction with the users. They can make real-time
queries, generate specific reports and obtain strategic information in a simple way, supported by businessintelligence to reduce impacts on production systems. The SIFGUA outreach strategy has beensuccessfully implemented, allowing system users to know all benefits of the system, including aspects ofsensitization of the general public population to engage them in control and reliability of sustainable forestry
issues. In terms of sustainability the project has become self-sustained through revenues from the sale ofnotes, thus allowing proper system maintenance and ensuring continuation of the system independent fromexternal funding.
Progress has been made in developing the design of application and tools for the Information System,
incorporating information such as statistical databases, and linking the current systems of the National
Forest Authority (INAB) and the National Authority for Protected Areas (CONAP). The incorporation of asystematic tool in SIFGUA has been completed. The official launch of the tool is planned for October or
November 2015. User manuals and video tutorials have been developed. As the system continues to be
updated and new services are added, manuals and tutorials have been updated several times. Under
activity 2.5.1 a one-day capacity building workshop attended by 25 participants was organized in the use of
SEINEF, in addition to regional workshops for incorporation of inputs for the SEGEFOR system.
Workshops scheduled by the SIFGUA project, were covered with project support from TFL-PD 024/10 Rev.
2 (M) ‘Strengthening of institutional capacities to improve law enforcement and forest governance in
Guatemala’. The SIFGUA communication and awareness raising plan has been completed. The design ofan electronic newsletter for statistical information has started and will be further discussed and analyzed inconjunction with the next meeting of the project Technical Committee.
Achievements, impacts and lessons learned:

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This project is working closely together with project TFL-PD 024/10 Rev.2 (M) ‘Improvement of forest law
enforcement at the national level to promote forest governance in Guatemala’ and has been able toachieve substantial results. The implementation of Electronic Information System for Forest Enterprises,
SEINEF has allowed the National Forest Institute to have positive impacts on the regulation and control of
trade in forest products. Since the adoption of SEINEF, the registration of legally established companies
has increased by 70% from 1,230 to 2,043 active companies. Of those 2,043 companies, 1,608 are alreadyusing the system, representing almost 80% of companies active in the INAB. By the end of 2014 sales of
88.453 bills of transport of forest products were registered, each costing about US$ 1 (8 quetzales) andthereby generating US$ 88.453 in additional INAB revenues budget revenue. This revenue allows thesystem to be self-sustained. The concept of SIFGUA providing an automated process of forestry activities
has not only provided a tool to regulatory control institutions (CONAP and INAB) but the objective is also to
reduce service times for users, and to eliminate repetitive steps and processes thereby making theprocedure faster and more efficient. The new SIFGUA image is presenting the system in a way that allows
to reach more users and positions SIFGUA at the national and international level as of reference for
information on forestry

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Strengthening market information systems to enhance trade and market intelligence in the forest
sector of Guyana
Project number:

TMT-PD 006/11 Rev.3 (M)Project country:

GuyanaBudget:Total:

US$ 420,820

ITTO Contribution:

US$ 320,920

Government of Guyana

US$ 99,900

Submitted by:

Government of Guyana

Implementing agency:

Guyana Forestry Commission

Duration:

18 months

Financed at:

TMT 2nd Cycle (2011)

Status:Completed

Summary:
The specific project objective is to improve the Guyana market information systems, and the capacity topromote trade and especially to develop an integrated market and trade information system that will benefit
the regulatory agency and those directly or indirectly involved in the production, processing or trade oftimber. Ultimately, through greater foreign exchange and domestic earnings, the benefits will filter to thewider population of Guyana through increased revenue, employment opportunities and service provision.
Additionally, the main advantage of enhancing market information system will be to allow for a morediverse market and trade environment to be developed in Guyana’s forest sector which then will allow for amore dynamic and sustainable forest industry. A major change envisaged will be a more thorough andrational approach to tropical timber trade issues and marketing based on greater knowledge and capacity.
By involving stakeholders – including local communities – during the development of the activities, target
groups will have a sense of ownership of the outcomes. The project will establish the technical capacity(hardware, software and human resource) to sustain the outcomes and GFC will provide the labor andfinance to continue the utilization of the technology/systems developed.
Progress:
The completion report, technical reports and the final audit report have been received. The following
activities have been carried out:




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Execution of Procurement Processes for the following main project positions: International
Marketing Specialist, National Systems Specialist, and Trade Specialist
Plans for commencement of consultancy activities and overall project activity execution havecommenced.
Continuation and finalization of the procurement process for the 3 consultants
Conducting discussion with stakeholders’ group of matters relating to production, markets andtrade.
Conducting a diagnostic study on factors affecting markets and measures impacting tropical timberuse, andConducting a technical study and market survey on factors related to competitiveness such as
chain of custody, demand and supply, niche markets and other producers.
Development of Draft Marketing Strategy
Preparation of diagnostic report/study on critical specific data gaps related to production, markets
and trade and data collection methods
Preparation of draft diagnostic report on factors affecting markets and measures impacting tropicaltimber use
Preparation of draft technical study and market survey on factors related to competitiveness suchas chain of custody, demand and supply, niche markets and other producers.
Development of a draft country level marketing strategy for Guyana

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Page 92Preparation of the framework for the integrated information system
Draft report on the review of market framework for trade development in Guyana

Achievements, impacts and lessons learned:
A framework as well as a methodology for strengthening data collection efforts was developed. This builds
on the existing system which is available and improves on areas where there were evident data gaps andinefficiencies in data process and management time.
The completion of three main reports on Critical Data gaps, review of the market framework for tradedevelopment in Guyana, and the assessment of factors affecting markets and measures impacting on
tropical timber use and, were completed. The Marketing Strategy document and the Report onCompetitiveness were completed. These key documents will contribute to the achievement of the objective
and the implementation of the project.
The forestry sector of Guyana now has an integrated market information system in place with moredetailed reporting capabilities on prices, market demand, export trends, and quality requirements fordifferent regions, which can enhance forecasting in prices levels and demand; and provide a more
integrated reporting on the wood products supply chain.
There is now better planning and allocation of state forest resources; more strategic marketing efforts inpursuit of expansion of key markets for added value products; macro-economic benefits through improved
planning and strategic decision in relation to employment, and increased export earnings. Several strategicareas of the sector: marketing, forest management and planning, and resources allocation, have been
receiving positive impact from this project activities.

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Enhancing the Sustainable Management and Commercial Utilisation of the CITES-listed Species
Cedrela odorata (red cedar) in Guyana
Project number:

TMT-SPD 014/13 Rev.1 (M)Project country:

GuyanaBudget:Total:

US$ 239,765

ITTO Contribution:

US$ 136,640

Government of Guyana

US$ 103,125

Submitted by:

Government of Guyana

Implementing agency:

Guyana Forestry Commission, GFC

Duration:

18 months

Financed at:

TMT 4th Cycle (2013)

Status:Ongoing

Summary:This project builds on Guyana’s efforts to develop and promote its lesser used species, as part of a multipronged strategy for managing the country’s commercial forest estate sustainably. Specifically, the projectwill focus on the assessment, development, marketing and promotion of Cedrela odorata (locally known as
red cedar). Historically, Red Cedar has been a valuable timber, with a natural range covering Latin
America, the Caribbean and South America. Over-harvesting in some range countries in the region has
meant that the species is now considered to be vulnerable according to the International Union for theConservation of Nature (IUCN). It is also listed on the Convention on International Trade in Endangered
Species (CITES) Appendix III for the countries of Brazil, Bolivia, Columbia, Guatemala, and Peru. In
Guyana, the species has not been used commercially to the same extent as in other range countries. This
project will enable Guyana to undertake an assessment of its commercial forests to determine the status of
the species. The outputs from the resource assessment will be used to develop a management plan for thesustainable harvesting of red cedar, as well as develop the capacity of the industry to harvest, develop andmarket the species domestically and internationally; consistent with the objectives of CITES Appendix III
listing. Among the main expected outcomes of the project are completion of a resource assessment of red
cedar in Guyana’s commercial estate to establish the status of the species; informing a decision on thestatus of conservation and/or utilization of red cedar; development of capacity in Guyana for managing red
cedar; development of a strategy for developing and commercializing CITES-listed species in Guyana
including statistical database; and developing markets for red cedar both locally and internationally in areasof added value products.
The project is funded under a grant from the EU to the ITTO-CITES program which provides for part of thefunds pledged to be used for TMT activities with objectives relevant to both programs.
Progress:
A consultant was hired and initialized the process of conducting an assessment of Red Cedar in Guyana
gathering information from GFC database and historical information available. Information/data is being
gathered in relation to the project deliverables. The review of the technical literature available on Red
Cedar was completed. General information on distribution, cover, density, size structure, regeneration
dynamics and timber characteristics and uses of Red Cedar can be gathered from literature. Discussions
with a number of stakeholders from both within the GFC and the timber industry revealed that Red Cedar is
considered to occur at low density; being estimated at less than 1 tree per 50 ha. The species is also
considered not to occur in aggregate stands (clumps) such as for instance greenheart, wallaba, mora andmorabukea. In terms of site preference, it is suggested by some operators that the species seems to prefer
marsh or mora forest. Due to the low density (numbers per ha) of its occurrence and uncertainty about site
preferences, it was decided to first explore existing resource assessment data. The first draft of the
Resource Assessment and Forest Management Plan for the CITES-Listed Species Cedrela Odorata (RedCedar) In Guyana was completed. The Management Plan for the Red Cedar was elaborated. In order todevelop a protocol framework for international trade of Red Cedar, CITES Appendix III listing requirements

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were examined. Additionally, a review of CITES and protocols was completed. Discussions have also
started on the Protocols for International Trade relating to CITES and Red Cedar. Furthermore the processof collating market information was advanced and the data is currently being analyzed. Production andexport statistics for Red Cedar were provided by PDD for the period 2006-2010. Field visits included tofollowing sawmills/exporters: Barama Co. Ltd., Cummings Wood Products, L.S. Harridat Sawmill, Bhola's
Sawmill and S & M Bission Sawmiller. The latter two sawmillers have their own concessions. Cummings
Wood Products and L.S. Harridat Sawmill procure Red Cedar from various sources, many of those
Amerindian communities.
Achievements, impacts and lessons learned:
The work under this project has progressed significantly with the completion of the first draft of the
Resource Assessment and Forest Management Plan for the CITES-Listed Species Cedrela Odorata (RedCedar) in Guyana. The report provides an overview of the population size, distribution, stand density, size
structure, regeneration dynamics and possible strategy for the sustainable management of the timber
species Cedrela odorata L. in Guyana. In Guyana the species is known under the common name Red
Cedar. Additionally, the Report also gives an Overview of the application of CITES rules regarding exportof Red Cedar that explains the permitting process among other areas. The Report also covers thecharacteristics of Red Cedar, summarizes the geographic distribution based on the findings of the
Resource Assessment, and the uses, population trends of the species. Further, the Report also includes anoutline of other aspects of the Resource Assessment that relates to the density and size classes, thevolume and the regeneration dynamics for SFM levels of Red Cedar. This aspect relates directly to theManagement Plan for the species.

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ANNEX II

TAKING STOCK OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF
TFLET AND REDDES THEMATIC PROGRAMMESACHIEVEMENTS AND IMPLEMENTATION ISSUES OF THE ITTO THEMATIC PROGRAMMES ON
REDUCING DEFORESTATION AND FOREST DEGRADATION AND ENHANCINGENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES (REDDES) AND FOREST LAW ENFORCEMENT, GOVERNANCE
AND TRADE (TFLET)
Executive Summary

Markku Simula
Consultant

9 June 2015

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The report is a response to a need for assessing progress in the implementation of ITTO’s two Thematic
Programmes (TP) that have received significant funding to date: Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade(TFLET), and Reducing Deforestation and Forest Degradation and Enhancing Environmental Services in Tropical
Forests (REDDES) as part of knowledge management of the organization. The purpose of the report is to provide
a synthesis of the aggregated achievements of the completed pre-projects and projects and their lessons learned.
During the assessment, the scope was expanded to cover also the projects that are being implemented.
The stocktaking assessment is based on documentary review of pre-projects and projects (20 in TFLET and 29 in
REDDES) for which a methodology was developed covering the scope and achievements of the programmes. In
addition, lessons learned were synthesized, complementarities with related international initiatives were identified,and issues related to programme design, procedures, management and financing were reviewed.
ASSESSMENT OF TFLET
Programme objectives
In general, the projects cover well the first three programme objectives. Ninety percent of the projects targeted
capacity building of community and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to demonstrate that the timbertraded comes from legal sources as a focus area or provided a substantial contribution towards this objective.
Strengthening forest law compliance and governance was targeted by 85 percent of the projects. About two thirds
made a contribution – mostly significant – to improved transparency and effective management of supply chainsas well as increased domestic and international trade in legally produced timber. However, the fourth
programmatic objective, i.e., improved international cooperation in forest law enforcement and governance, was afocus area only in a fifth of projects.
Thematic focus
Most projects focus on institutional strengthening of forest law compliance and governance, and capacity building
but also improving market transparency is substantially covered. Development of tracking systems as well as
certification of forest management and chain-of-custody are targeted in half of the projects. Promotion of policy
dialogue and exchange of experience on international and domestic market requirements is also an element ofseveral projects.
However, there are some areas that are considered gaps or weakly covered, notably development of national
public procurement policies, cross-border cooperation in trade from legal and sustainable sources and otherinternational cooperation. Addressing these gaps would require proactive measures from the programme side.
Level of implementation
More than half of projects are implemented at a national level and 15 percent at a local, community or enterpriselevel, the rest being regional or international. National projects often include local level pilot projects.
Target groups
About two thirds of projects funded under both programmes have forest communities, indigenous groups or SMEs
as main beneficiary target groups. Government agencies are also among major beneficiaries, which is logicalbecause of TFLET’s emphasis on strengthening of governance. Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) have been
identified as direct or indirect targets in 90 percent of the projects. There is usually more than one principal target
group in TFLET projects.
Executing Agencies and partnerships
Government agencies are the largest group among Executing Agencies (45 percent of projects). CSOs havebeen EA in 15 percent of TFLET projects and knowledge institutions in 25 percent. Partnerships are common in
the programme. CSOs and various government agencies are partners in more than half of the cases. Partneringwith local communities is common in pilot projects on local level.
Expected benefits
Pre-project and projects are strongly oriented towards generation of economic benefits for achieving poverty
reduction. Most (85%) also target at environmental and social benefits but in only about half of the cases theseare expected to be significant. Together with social benefits, revenue generation can ensure effective forest
conservation and commitment of forest communities to improved law compliance and eradication of illegal
logging. Almost half of the TFLET projects are also aimed at environmental benefits as a result of strengthened
governance and improved law compliance.

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Applicability and replicability
In general, the completed TFLET projects could be applicable in similar conditions elsewhere. Thirty percent of
the projects were considered applicable at a national level and twenty percent at a regional or international level.
Thirty percent were considered applicable at all levels. A third of projects were considered replicable in similar
conditions but modifications would be required in the other cases.
Innovation content
A tenth of the projects developed a new innovation and the rest were applying adapted new technology or existing
technology in new application and conditions. Technology was interpreted in the assessment broadly including
new ways of working and organizing stakeholders.
Expected sustainability
In half of TFLET projects expected sustainability was assessed strongly likely, in another 30 percent somewhat
likely and in the remaining fifth sustainable only with continuous financing. However, a follow-up project was
typically considered necessary but in many cases mainstreaming of project results would also require policy
revision. The main reasons for follow-up action needs are common difficulties related to implementing policy
reforms and mainstreaming new innovations developed in pilot projects that tend to take time extending beyond
the project duration.
TFLET achievements
The programme has made a strong progress towards all its specific objectives that appear relevant to country
conditions. In particular, the support to communities and, to a somewhat lesser extent, to SMEs has been wellcovered but it would often need to be defined how their local level engagement in legal and sustainable supply
chains could be mainstreamed.
About 80 percent of the target values of the Monitoring Protocol (MP) have been achieved in strengthening offorest law compliance and governance through national policy and legal frameworks, strengthened enforcement
and other institutions, effective partnerships and improved cooperation among stakeholders.
Increased volumes of traded tropical timber and timber products have been targeted by eleven TFLET projects innine countries. A large number of partnerships in 16 countries have been established surpassing the target value(5). Less progress has been made in development of public procurement policies and codes of conduct for theindustry.
Community and SME capacity to demonstrate that timber produced and traded comes from legal sources
contributing to sustainable development (the fourth objective) has been improved in six countries through 13
projects surpassing the target values. Training courses on law compliance and enforcement have been
implemented in seven countries through 13 projects.
Under improved international cooperation in forest law enforcement and governance, fourteen ITTO producing
member countries are implementing the FLEGT Voluntary Partnership Agreements (VPAs) or are in the processof negotiation. TFLET projects have provided substantial support to these processes in three countries andprojects will soon be started in two more countries. In addition, TFLET has built up capacity in six more countries
to facilitate their future engagement in international and regional processes. However, no progress can bereported on improvement of trans-boundary timber control processes.
Lessons learned
The completed pre-projects and projects have generated a wealth of lessons learned which cover subjects thefollowing subjects: (i) awareness raising on strengthening forest governance, (ii) building human resource
capacity in law enforcement, (iii) developing and implementing timber tracking systems, (iv) mainstreaming
innovations, (v) engaging SMEs in legal compliance, (vi) training, (vii) partnerships, (viii) inter-agency coordinationand cooperation, (ix) knowledge sharing, and (x) sustainability of project impacts.
The key lessons suggest that governance reforms can only be driven by government-led initiatives, not fromoutside. Strengthening of law enforcement requires much more than training of enforcement officers which is alsoneeded. Awareness raising and provision of information on benefits arising from improved law compliance tocommunities and SMEs is necessary for which a cadre of local trainers and extension workers is required.
Piloting on a sufficient large scale in representative conditions involving all stakeholders has proved to be a good
approach for choosing between options for institutional arrangements and timber tracking technologies.

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ASSESSMENT OF REDDESProgramme objectives
In general, the REDDES projects cover well the first four specific programme objectives, i.e., reduction of
unplanned deforestation (objective a), that of forest degradation (b), climate change mitigation and otherenvironmental services (c), and contribution to the social and economic sustainability (d). The fifth objective (e)adaptation and resilience of tropical forests had the weakest coverage of in the projects reviewed.
Thematic focus
Almost two thirds of the projects cover assessment and diagnosis of deforestation and forest degradation, andestablishment of enabling conditions and capacity building. Pilot and demonstration activities are also frequentelements, together with policy development. Specific focus areas of the programme are capacity building for
REDD+ and payments for environmental systems (PES).
Level of implementation
About 40 per cent of the projects are implemented at the level of community/enterprise or other local economic
unit, one third are national and one fifth international. However, most projects are implemented at more than one
level.
Target groups
About two thirds of REDDES projects have identified forest communities, indigenous groups or SMEs as main
beneficiaries. Forest owners and government agencies are also important target groups. CSOs are typically
identified as minor beneficiaries. The private sector is less frequently targeted.
Executing Agencies and partnerships
Government agencies are the largest group among EAs (34 percent of the projects) followed by knowledge
institutions and CSOs. Partnerships are common in the work under REDDES (only 15 percent had no partners).
This has also resulted in complementary financing, particularly by other government bodies. Partnering with local
communities has been part of almost all the projects.
Expected benefits
In about 80 percent of the projects, expected benefits cover both economic, social and environmental aspects.
Environmental benefits are in most cases related to forest carbon but they often also covered biodiversity andwater (the latter usually implicitly). The result illustrates a common approach to address all the three pillars ofsustainability.
Applicability and replicability
The completed projects were mostly found applicable in similar local conditions or at national level (45 and 18
percent, respectively) and the rest at a regional or international level. The degree of replicability was also high.
Innovation content
The innovation content in REDDES is important as a third of the projects involve development and application of a
new technology and a quarter used adapted new technology, in particular in forest inventory and monitoring, anddevelopment of PES systems. The rest applied existing new technology in new applications or conditions.
Expected sustainability
One third of the pre-projects and projects appeared to have strong likelihood for sustainability, another third somelikelihood, and the last third sustainable only with continuous financing. However, a follow-up project wasconsidered necessary in 45 percent of the projects as mainstreaming of project results (e.g., PES schemes)
would require policy adjustment.
REDDES achievements
The programme has significantly contributed to progress towards all its specific objectives. In particular, support
to communities and payments for environmental services have been well covered. The review shows that most of
the sixteen outputs identified in the Monitoring Protocol are more than achieved or in process by the project
portfolio.
In avoided deforestation, restoration or conservation the main focus area is to increase the area under SFM
through 19 projects in 16 countries (MP target 6 countries). One third of the projects develop forest monitoring
contributing to quantification of carbon stocks in 12 countries (target 2). A quarter work on demonstration in
restoration of degraded forests.

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Two thirds of the projects in 10 countries aim at income generation based on forest related environmental
services and other forest outputs by local communities. This demonstrates the fact that local income generation isa precondition for effective forest conservation. Increased women participation is a specific target in sevenprojects but other community forest related projects supporting income generation also benefit women albeit not
explicitly stated.
Capacity building to implement policy reforms work has been carried out or is in process through different
modalities in six projects in five countries. Fifteen countries have benefited from capacity building to implement
SFM, forest restoration and rehabilitation through various training outputs with about 2,900 participants (target
300).
Development of PES incentive mechanisms have been part of 13 REDDES projects in 11 countries (target 3)
demonstrating a stronger demand for support in this area than expected. Demonstration areas were establishedor are in the process in 17 projects in 11 countries (target 3). Communities are directly involved in thedevelopment of PES mechanisms in 15 projects in 10 countries.
There are two strategic issues that would merit rethinking on how they should be addressed in the REDDES
strategy, i.e., adaptation and landscape restoration linked with restoration and rehabilitation. Establishment of
permanent forest estate and strengthening of tenure and user rights may also need more attention in the future.
Proactive measures are probably needed by ITTO to fill these and some other gaps (e.g. the development of
national C&I for SFM).
Lessons learned
The lessons learned from the completed pre-projects and projects are summarized under the following subject
areas: (i) development of mechanisms for payment for environmental services, (ii) advancing REDD+
implementation through REDDES, (iii) stakeholder participation, (iv) implementing the landscape approach, (v)poverty reduction and improvement of food security, (vi) field level demonstration, (vii) private sector participationin reduction of deforestation and forest degradation, (viii) governance, (ix) training, (x) dissemination ofknowledge, (xi) mainstreaming of results, and (xii) ensuring sustainability. Selected project examples have been
identified on strengths and weaknesses of past experience.
A key lesson is that SFM is an important option to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation
provided that a set of preconditions are met related to availability of information, institutional support and provisionof incentives. There is a close relationship between conservation and development; i.e. realizing sustained
biodiversity conservation requires sustained community development, including in terms of economic benefits.
Project strategies could benefit from three parallel interventions, i.e. strengthening of the institutional andcommunity capacity, conservation and restoration of tropical forests for REDD+ and other environmental services,
and improvement of local livelihoods.
COMMON ASPECTS ON DESIGN, IMPLEMENTATION AND OUTPUTS OF BOTH PROGRAMMESProgramme design
While the Thematic Programme Documents (TPDs) have provided an appropriate framework for implementation
during the first seven years, they would benefit from updating in order to take into account recent international
developments, actual demand for, and supply of, funding, and lessons learned. Some specific objectives are
general by nature not providing a clear strategic focus while taking into account linkages with other programmes.
There is even more need for revising the Monitoring Protocols to make them more applicable for setting targets
and measuring progress. Some identified outputs are more outcomes than outputs, some are defined in
unnecessary detail, and many of them overlap with each other.
Problem analysis
The programme level problem analyses in the TPDs have provided a largely relevant framework for project
design. However, they have limitations as there is a wide variation in national and local conditions. In TFLET
proponents tend to exclude from problem analyses politically sensitive elements such as silent acceptability ofillegalities, corruption, distorted incentives and trans-boundary trafficking of timber and timber products. In
REDDES forest and land tenure has only fairly rarely been duly covered in project level problem analysis.
Risk analysis
In spite of having a number of good examples, risk analysis appears to be a somewhat problematic area in project
design. It often appears superficial and therefore pre-identification of mitigation measures is also weak. One thirdof the REDDES projects did not include a risk analysis at all.

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Quality of implementation and outputs
In general, the performance of Executing Agencies appears good or satisfactory but in a few projects problems
were identified with partners. The overall quality of project documentation and technical reports can be consideredgood with a good number of outstanding reports. Unfortunately, a few weaker technical documents were also
encountered. However, a typical problem is that policy proposals and other recommendations have often been
made without due consideration of their practical consequences and financial requirements. The quality of
implementation depends on supervision and guidance from the EA management as well as on quality ofmonitoring and advice from the Secretariat. External assistance has been drawn on when adequate local
competence was not available, but not always.
PROGRAMMATIC LINKAGES AND COMPLEMENTARITIES
Linkages between Thematic Programmes
TFLET and REDDES have clearly differentiated objectives. However, both programmes share the common
objective to improve the wellbeing of local communities through sustainable management of their forest
resources. Good governance is fundamental to provide enabling conditions and promotion of SFM is a strategic
element in both programmes that focus on forest dependent communities as an ultimate target group. These
linkages offer opportunities for further harnessing synergies
TFLET and the Trade and Market Transparency (TMT) Thematic Programme are mutually supportive. They sharesimilar objectives in improving market transparency and increasing production and trade. TMT complements
TFLET in improving market transparency and building up capacity among SMEs to realize the benefits from legal
compliance and implementation of SFM. TFLET has also a close linkage with the ITTO/CITES Programme.
Both REDDES and the Community Forest Management and Enterprise (CFME) TP share the same generalobjective to contribute to the social and economic wellbeing of forest-dependent communities even though theirstrategies are different, CFME focusing on SFM and promoting added value production. Complementarity also
derives from the fact that conservation efforts have best chances to succeed if they can result in net economic
benefits for local communities and indigenous groups.
Regular cycle projects and Thematic Programmes
A large number of regular cycle projects approved since 2008 directly or indirectly contributed to REDDES and
TFLET objectives and could have been funded through these thematic programmes, had there been funds
available. In the case of TFLET-related pre-projects/projects, the regular cycle has contributed USD 20.9 million
or 1.7 times more funding than TFLET. The REDDES-related regular pre-projects/projects received a total fundingof USD 35.3 million or 3.7 times more than the TP itself. Therefore, the stocktaking carried out provides only apartial view of ITTO’s work towards the TP objectives.
Complementarities between TFLET and other international initiatives
Several international, regional and bilateral initiatives have objectives related to strengthening of forest
governance and law enforcement either as the main focus area or part of their objectives. The EU-FAO FLEGTProgramme is particularly comparable to TFLET. While the two programmes share similar general objectives,
there are differences in their specific objectives. EU-FAO FLEGT focuses on promotion of the EU FLEGT
principles and VPAs while TFLET is broader. In practice, there are close linkages and some overlaps. Synergies
have not, however, been operationally harnessed. This is partly due to the demand driven modus operandi in both
initiatives (call for proposals). Procedures are somewhat different and also the donor bases are different as the
EU-FAO FLEGT is completely financed by the European Union which has not participated in TFLET funding.
Complementarities between REDDES and other international initiatives
Two international programmes were analyzed in relation to REDDES: the UN-REDD Programme and theReadiness Fund of the Forest Carbon Partnership Fund (FCPF). The general objectives of the three are common
and they sustainable management of forests, enhanced stakeholder participation, capacity building, and national
planning for low carbon sustainable development with forest related interventions. Thematically, REDDES has thebroadest approach and its focus is on practical implementation through demonstration and pilot projects
implemented by communities, the private sector and other stakeholders.
REDDES applies a demand driven approach and it does not require compliance with pre-determined phases
which have taken long periods to implement. Therefore, it does not suffer from delays in disbursement and its
transaction costs are low. However, these competitive advantages are undermined by limited financial resources(not encountered in the other two international programmes). This has led to a situation in which REDDES
projects have often been delinked from the other REDD+ programmes, partly due to the lack of interest by othersin cooperation and perhaps lack of sufficient initiative from the ITTO side.

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PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION AND FINANCING
Strengthening of the programmatic approach
The Programme Documents were elaborated with the intention to provide a strategic response to priority issues indifferent country situations, to offer all stakeholders an equal opportunity to participate, and to promote innovation.
However, there is a perception among donors and some other stakeholders that TFLET and REDDES are still justa collection of individual projects, albeit within a common framework. The programmes will have to become moreprogrammatic if there is a clear perspective that adequate regular funding will be forthcoming.
Building on the results of the 2013 effectiveness assessment and this stocktaking, six non-exclusive options for
improving the programmatic approach are identified:
I.
II.
III.

IV.

V.

VI.

Introducing the modality of targeted calls for proposals to address gaps and priorities; such calls can betargeted at specific thematic area or geographic region or sub-region.
New thematic sub-programmes for selected priority themes of common interest to members could be set
up drawing on the experience of the ITTO-CITES Programme.
Improving the programmatic approach at country level through (a) development of national plans for
implementing a Thematic Programme; (b) reactivation of the country level diagnostic studies that werecarried out in the past; and (c) implementation of the pilot country approach provided in the REDDES
programme document.
Improving the programmatic approach on international and regional/sub-regional levels through ITTO’s
proactive role to initiate and implement necessary activities such as analytical work on policy instruments
and financing mechanisms, development of training packages and validated, broadly applicabletechnologies, information sharing, and regional and cross-country cooperation.
Improving the programmatic approach thematically through other ITTO instruments (Strategic Action
Plan, Biennial Work Programmes and the regular cycle project work) to more transparency andstrengthened functional links.
Harnessing synergies with other relevant initiatives (particularly UN-REDD, FCPF, and EU-FAO FLEGTProgramme) through improved communication and promotion of mutual engagement in theimplementation of each other’s activities.

Improving the quality of proposals
Addressing weaknesses in proposal quality needs a more proactive approach than in the past, as there areearmarked resources available for this purpose in the TPs. Three options are proposed for consideration to
improve the situation provided that there is a perspective of expanded funding for TPs: (a) carry out consultations
with new members and other priority countries on the need/possibility of support for country level diagnostic
studies, national action plan preparation and project formulation; (b) support finalization of weak proposals withpotential in terms of innovation, broad applicability and replication, and knowledge sharing; and (c) continue
strengthening the pool of qualified project formulation and implementation specialists in ITTO producing member
countries.
Management of TPs as programmes
TP projects are managed and monitored like regular cycle projects rather than as a pool of thematically linked
activities. There should be more clarity on technical management responsibility and the only logical option would
be to assign it to the Assistant Director of each division as long as the programmes do not become so large that
recruitment of a designated Programme Manager becomes justified. Technical management responsibilities could
be partly delegated to Project Managers.
ITTO has presently two almost identical processes for project appraisal which work independently from eachother, one involving Thematic Programme Advisory Committees (TPAC) for TPs and the other involving theExpert Panel on Project Appraisal for the regular project cycle. These procedures could be harmonizedconsidering the experience gained in the thematic programmes.

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Simplification of programme procedures
Although the innovative TP procedures are faster and represent lower transaction costs than in the case ofregular cycle projects, they could be improved. Parts of the project formulation requirements are excessively
complex and could be simplified. The ITTO/CITES Programme experience offers a number of lessons for TP
implementation.
Improving knowledge management
In view of the broad applicability of lessons learned and knowledge products developed under the two TPs, theireffective sharing is critical for capitalizing the investment made by ITTO and its donors. Considerable effort has
already been made to disseminate the results of the two TPs through a broad range of tools, including the recent
Project search facility in the ITTO website.
Knowledge sharing is a crosscutting activity and mostly related to thematic issues, are lessons learned generated
through TPs or the regular project cycle. Separating the two would be a sign of working in silos, which should be
avoided.
Funding of thematic programmes
None of the TPs has received full regular funding and no pledges have been received since 2013. Inadequate
resources have become the most serious obstacle for effective implementation of TFLET and REDDES.
Donors cannot earmark their funding within TPs, which has apparently negatively influenced the interest of someof them in using this instrument. However, TPs were introduced upon donor initiatives to have a more strategic
approach to the organization’s project work and to respond to a common wish to move towards unearmarked
funding. This worked during the pilot phase but has faded out since then.
Nevertheless, even with the limited funding available, the pre-projects, projects and activities of the two TPs
reviewed have enabled substantial achievement in terms of the intended outputs. In case new funding cannot bemobilized, implementation of the two TPs will end when all the on-going projects have been completed. This
report has tried to generate information and identify a series of measures to avoid this.
RECOMMENDATIONS
1.

Update the programme design

1.1

The Programme Documents and the Monitoring Protocols should be revised together withprocedures and other guidance for implementation to achieve increased responsiveness and agility, together
with reduced transaction costs.

1.2

The theory of change should be clarified in the TPDs. A well-articulated theory of change would help
improve the programmes’ strategy as well as communication to donors, potential partners and otherstakeholders.

1.3

Proper guidance should be provided for how project outputs should be reported in monitoring andcompletion reports as the present practice is inadequate not resulting in systematic compilation ofcomprehensive information on outputs and achievements at the programme level.

2.

Strengthen the programmatic approach

2.1

A modality for targeted thematic and geographic calls for proposals should be introduced in orderto facilitate resource mobilization.

2.2

Drawing on the experience of the ITTO-CITES Programme, the concept of thematic subprogrammes should be considered in order to provide strategic response to emerging priority issues. In thiscontext, counterpart agencies in producing member countries should be identified and their role could beformalized in TP implementation, in view of the limited capacity of national Focal Points to assist in thematic
areas that may not fall under the mandate of their own agencies.

2.3

The identified proactive measures should be taken to improve programme-level impacts at country,
regional and international levels, as appropriate.

2.4

The thematic links between the TPs, SAP and BWPs as well as the regular cycle project work should be
strengthened and considered in monitoring and evaluation.

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3.

Harness synergies with other international initiatives

3.1

Complementarities between ITTO’s Thematic Programmes and related international initiatives should be
effectively communicated emphasizing the TP value added to potential partners as such information is
critical also for the main donors.

3.2

As there are apparent synergies between TFLET and the EU-FAO FLEGT Programme, possibilities forcooperation and coordination should be jointly explored by FAO and ITTO, in consultation with the EU, inorder to leverage impacts of the two initiatives.

3.3

ITTO should regularly participate in the FCPF/UN-REDD Policy Board meetings and present the
REDDES projects and programmes to enhance cooperation and generate new ideas for joint actions.

3.4

Related agencies such as FAO, UN-REDD, FCPF and others should be re-invited to participate in TPACs(if these continue to operate) provided that adequate regular funding for implementation can be mobilized.

4.

Strengthen the programme management

4.1

Proactive measures should be taken to assist (a) priority countries with no or limited past support, and (b)project proponents in finalizing their weak proposals with potential for innovation, broad
applicability/replication, and knowledge sharing.

4.2

Technical management responsibility of the thematic programmes should be assigned to appropriate
Assistant Directors as long as the programmes do not become so large that recruitment of a designated
Programme Manager becomes justified. Assistant Directors should be responsible for overall TP supervisionand implementation having an oversight role in order to ensure that (i) priorities and gaps in implementation
are addressed, (ii) knowledge sharing is effective, (iii) necessary participation of programme management infundraising is assured, and (iv) linkages between TPs, the regular project cycle, and BWP activities areharnessed.

4.3

The Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer should continue to be responsible for the administrative
TP coordination and management of the call for proposals. Her/his role could be expanded to other tasks
related to TP implementation, including generation of information for programme-level monitoring.

4.4

Specific responsibilities should be assigned to Regional Officers to improve coordination and promotionof TP activities in their regions, to be implemented in cooperation with Project Managers responsible for TP
projects.

5.

Improve the project cycle

5.1 The requirements for project proposals, their approval criteria and programme procedures should be
simplified.
5.2 TPACs and the Expert Panel on Project Appraisal should be merged, which would contribute to (i) better
integration of the TPs and regular cycle projects, (ii) improved allocation of limited resources to priority
projects, (iii) improved quality and reduced costs of appraisal work, and (iv) reduced Secretariat workload.
6.

Improve knowledge management

6.1 In carrying out thematic evaluations, groups of relevant projects should be selected from both the TPs andregular cycle projects, as appropriate, to maximize generation of information on lessons learned and to
optimize costs.
7.

Mobilize resources

7.1 Measures should be taken to actively communicate on the value added and achievements of the ITTO
Thematic Programmes to the donor community and other relevant stakeholders.