While necessary, it is not always easy to get project development inputs from a wide range of stakeholders, particularly for projects that cover multiple countries and languages. Such was the challenge for the project: Global Transformation of Forests for People and Climate: a focus on West Africa. This five-year project (2019-2023) implemented by FAO in collaboration with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and with the financial support of the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, aims to support the implementation of the ECOWAS Convergence Plan for the Sustainable Management and Use of Forest Ecosystems in West Africa (See Box).

During the project inception phase, FAO decided that an online survey in English and French would be the most efficient and effective way to canvas opinion and information from stakeholders across the region on forest governance related issues. The short survey containing 11 questions was distributed online to 230 individuals considered as stakeholders from government and non-governmental organizations based in the West-Africa region. Thanks to the participation of some 68 respondents (53 men/15 women) from 14 countries, a great deal of very useful information was collected, some of which is highlighted here.

Context

West Africa is characterized by diverse biomes, including some of the world’s most important dense tropical rainforests, containing high levels of species richness and endemism, as well as important stores of forest carbon. The FAO-ECOWAS project, in its support to the implementation of the Convergence Plan, tackles the threats to the forests in the region from multiple angles – first by improving forest data quality, transparency and accessibility; second, by strengthening forest-related legal frameworks; and lastly, by demonstrating and sharing the best community-based forest practices across the region and globally through South-South cooperation. The project survey findings covered several relevant forest governance themes, including legal frameworks, gender and forestry, and experience in community-based forest management.

Results

The survey collected the latest information concerning the existing forestry and climate change-related legislation of countries in the region. Many of these legal frameworks are in a state of flux with reforms either recently completed, ongoing, or planned (See Figure 1). The survey also revealed that legal clarity on rights to carbon and emissions reductions is widely perceived as a gap, and awareness raising on the topic among stakeholders would be an important area where the project could make a valuable contribution. Other priority areas included legislation to promote sustainable timber trade and to avoid the illegal conversion of forestlands to other uses, as well as facilitation of countries‘ access to REDD+ results based payments. As one respondent wrote:

For this project to be sustained, my advice is to seek sustainable options for climate finance that will create forest work for the people. Alternative livelihoods and long-lasting funding are very crucial. 

Respondents shared many examples of transboundary forest challenges including those related to the conservation of protected areas in border areas that are threatened by mining, timber and non-timber product exploitation (including especially rosewood), and wildlife poaching. The survey also identified a number of transboundary landscapes in need of financial and technical support. For example, one respondent highlighted the need for support to the border forests between Sierra Leone (Gola), Guinea (Ziama), and Liberia (Wologizi and Wonegizi) to avoid encroachment and illegal exploitation. 

Respondents also shared their knowledge on community-based forest initiatives and areas of support in the region. The specific needs cited include improving community-based forest management practices, establishing agroforestry systems, promoting value addition to non-timber forest products and strengthening of producer organizations, as well as remote sensing and forest monitoring techniques. As one respondent noted:

Community training should also focus on non-timber forest product enterprise development. This is necessary for a successful sustainable forest management. I would like the project to focus on improved and sustainable land use with women’s participation in the entire process.

A long list of existing community-based initiatives in the region was also compiled and provides a starting point for collecting and sharing examples of good practice.

The FAO-ECOWAS project has already started to respond to the forest governance needs and priorities identified through the survey. For example, the Upper Guinean Rainforest has been selected as a focus area for addressing transboundary forest issues and planning with relevant countries is underway. The Project team is also endeavoring to address the gender gap revealed by the survey by establishing a closer working relation with the ECOWAS Gender Development Centre. The continued exchange and input from a wide range of stakeholders from all related institutions and civil society organizations, including both men and women, will be critical for the ongoing success of the project. 

Authors: Amanda Bradley, Malgorzata Buszko-Briggs

Contributors: Kysseline Cherestal, Francesca Felicani, Aw Mohamadou, Minoarivelo Randrianarison, Patrice Savadogo, Thomas Woolnough.

Click for more