| Case Studies: Africa |
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Africa, Climate Change Vulnerability in Transboundary Basins and Aquifers: Assessment, 2009, UNEP LTS was commissioned by UNEP, to inform a high level report identifying the transboundary basins and aquifers in Africa that are most at risk as a result of climate change. The report identified the key vulnerabilities and priorities for action in these basins and aquifers providing UNEP with the necessary information to engage with AMCOW on adaptation within transboundary systems. This assessment drew on state-of-the-art climate science and modelled scenarios and considered these against demographic and economic development data and trends; water resource, biodiversity and infrastructure risks, and indicators of institutional cooperation and capability.
Africa, Review of Environmental Content of United Development Assistance Frameworks and Related Policy Frameworks, 2009, United Nations Environment Programme. As part of “Implementing the Bali Plan By Delivering As One”, UNEP carried out a global review of all existing UN Nation Development Assistant Frameworks (UNDAFs) and national policy frameworks for their environmental content. Filtering the environmental needs of countries as reflected in UNDAFs and other strategic policy processes has provided UNEP with a clear overview of the current status of environmental priorities in the UNDAFs. The review has also helped UNEP to identify gaps where known environmental priorities of countries have not been fully reflected and thus countries where UNEP’s support can add value to governments, UN Country Teams and other national stakeholders. The LTS review focused on UNEP’s six thematic priorities outlined in the Medium Term Strategy 2010-2013 - climate change, ecosystem management, environmental governance, harmful substances and hazardous waste; disasters and conflicts, and resource efficiency and sustainable consumption and production.
Africa, The Potential to Help Increase Sub-Saharan Access to the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), 2009, DFID. LTS undertook a study to identify the scope for DFID Africa Division to provide support that increases access to pre and potential post 2012 CDM funding by Sub-Saharan Africa. Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) has not proportionately benefited from the CDM compared with other regions; the region’s share in the current CDM project pipeline is only about 1.4%. SSA has not benefited in proportion to the potential for CDM in the region. LTS reviewed the CDM experience to date in SSA and presented a detailed report that identified current and future ways for donors to help SSA to increase access to CDM and ways that donors can provide support to increase SSA CDM access. It also provided recommendation as to how DFID can help SSA to increase access to current and potential future CDM.
Africa, Forest Governance Learning Group, 2003-2009, International Institute for Environment and Development/European Commission. Forestry can contribute to the eradication of poverty and sustainability, but only with good forest governance. As a key founding member of the Forest Governance Learning Group (FGLG) LTS continues to focus its efforts on improving national forest programmes in Sub-Saharan Africa (Cameroon, Ghana, Mali, Malawi, Mozambique, Niger, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda), linking forestry's contribution in poverty reduction strategies, tackling the effects on livelihoods of illegal logging and corruption in forestry, and ensuring sustainability and equity in forest privatisation and decentralisation. LTS has contributed to the FGLG process through overseeing new policy research conducted on illegal/corrupt forestry and poor people, facilitation of learning between countries promoted in two regions - West and Southern Africa, and developing specific practical governance guidance materials and tools. Kenya, Institutional Support to Forest Sector Reform, 2009, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Finland. Focus Areas:   The Miti Mingi Maisha Bora Programme (Inception Phase, 2007-2009) is the main instrument supporting the forest sector reform process in Kenya. The overall objective of the programme is increased contribution of forests to economic recovery and poverty alleviation on environmentally and socially sustainable basis. The reform process is at a critical juncture. KFS is positioning as a centre of excellence with regional structures starting to emerge, a new Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife has been established, a 10 year logging ban is nearly removed, and political commitment on forestry in the Mau Forest has reached very high levels. The Forestry Transaction Advisor (FTA) has supported the institutional change process since 2007; this input follows on from the design work undertaken in 2008 for the MMMB 5-year programme (Implementation Phase, 2009-2014). The FTA is assisting with operational procedures for Forest Conservation Committees; the development of the Board position on the conservation of the Mau Forest Complex; preparation of timber licencing pre-qualification and bidding procedures; strategic planning support to the Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife; and general support to the Board.
Mali, Initiative Pauvreté et Environnement (IPE) – Programme Evaluation and Future Directions, 2009, UN Poverty and Environment Facility, Nairobi. The Initiative Pauvreté et Environnement (IPE) – Mali programme aims to strengthen the contribution of sustainable natural resource management and the environment to achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and sustained economic growth. Alex Forbes, Associate Director at LTS, was commissioned to lead the evaluation of the IPE-Mali and provide direction on the future direction of the programme. Alex facilitated an evaluation of current progress of the IPE Mali programme with staff and stakeholders in Bamako and, drawing from interviews and group work sessions, he also assisted the identification of the programme’s progress to date, what is working well and what can be improved, and guided the identification of opportunities and future directions for the programme. Presentation of a detailed Aide Memoire (in French) at the end of the mission enabled all stakeholders to discuss and agree on the evaluation findings, conclusions and recommendations on future directions.
South Africa, Evaluation of South African Water Governance Project, 2009, UK Environment Agency. LTS led a participatory evaluation of the UK Environment Agency/Department of Water Affairs (RSA) Watercourse project, which used innovative client-led methods to support stakeholder engagement for the development of new integrated water resource management institutions in South Africa. The evaluation took place over a period of three months and was undertaken with South African consultancy Pegasys. The main findings were that the novel approaches were an appropriate way to help fledgling organisations find their way in establishing their functions, but were more difficult in large bureaucracies where top down planning risked undermining bottom-up lead stakeholder processes.
Tanzania, Mid-term review of the project Eastern Selous Community Wildlife and Natural Resources Management Project, 2009, Belgian Technical Cooperation (BTC). The Eastern Selous Community Wildlife and Natural Resources Management Project is a Belgium supported project in Tanzania. The project area is the 250 km long eastern border of the Selous Game Reserve (SGR), which is administered by the Rufiji and Kilwa District Councils to support the Tanzanian policy to devolve wildlife management to communities through the establishment of Wildlife Management Areas (WMA). It is envisaged that WMAs will help to reduce pover¬ty while conserving biodiversity and the environment. This project aims to set up WMAs in the two districts, as well as to support capacity building, improved institutional arrangements and income generation. LTS provided the International Team Leader whose responsibility was to take an overall lead in the delivery of the MTR, coordinating the activities of national consultants, and supervising the production of the draft MTR-report, including quality assurance that the assessment of the OECD criteria (coherence, relevance, efficiency, effectiveness, sustainability and impact) were applied. The Team leader produced a summary of the main conclusions and recommendations, presented at the debriefing meetings, and edited and completed the final MTR-report.
Africa, Congo Basin Forest Fund - Assessment of REDD Project Proposals, 2008-2009, Royal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Norway. The Congo Basin Forest Fund (CBFF) is a multi-donor fund established to protect the forest in the Congo Basin region. Covering 200 million hectares and including approximately one fifth of the world remaining closed canopy tropical forest, the Congo Basin forests are also a very significant carbon store with a vital role in regulating the regional climate; and harbour diversity of global importance. LTS was contracted to assist the Natural Resource Management and Environment Division in the African Development Bank and the CBFF Interim Coordinator in the preview of project proposals submitted for funding. LTS provided specialist expertise in the assessment of project proposals concerning REDD initiatives (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation). Kenya, Forest Rehabilitation and Environmental Management Strengthening Programme (FORREMS) and Natural Resources Management Project (NRMP), 2007-2009, USAID / World Bank. The USAID-funded FORREMS (2003-2008) and the World Bank-funded NRMP (2007-2013) aim to strengthen government natural resource management institutions, assists local community groups in improving forest and environmental management, aid the rehabilitation of degraded rangelands and improves rural livelihoods with sustainable nature-based enterprises. FORREMS and NRMP have worked with the Forest Department and Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife in improving the enabling framework for sustainable forest management by advancing reforms in Forest Act and Kenya Forest Service (KFS) - a state corporation that will replace the Forest Department in 2007. The Forestry Transaction Advisor acts as an advisor to the Permanent Secretary, De-Linking Committee, Forest Reform Secretariat and KFS Board on the transition of FD to the KFS. In this regard, the advisor brings to KFS expertise public sector reform such as strategic planning, corporate governance, organisational structuring, budget and finance, human resources management, recruitment and performance contracting. Africa, Briefing paper on policy issues concerning REDD in Africa, 2008, DFID. In August 2008, a round of United Nations climate change negotiations took place in Accra, Ghana, from 21-27 August. The Accra Climate Change Talks took forward work on a strengthened and effective international climate change deal under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, as well as work on emission reduction rules and tools under the Kyoto Protocol. LTS International was commissioned for a short assignment to compile a technical paper for DFID representatives present at this UNFCCC Africa group meeting. The briefing note included a review of the current policy issues concerning REDD, followed by an analysis of the future issues and opportunities for Africa under varying REDD approaches.
Africa, Linking National Forest Programme to Poverty Reduction Strategies, 2005-2008, Food and Agriculture Organisation. The multi-country study attempted to determine the extent to which national forest programmes (NFPs) and other sectoral processes in selected countries (Kenya, Namibia, Nigeria, Malawi, Mali, Sudan, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia) are linked to the development and implementation of Poverty Reduction Strategies (PRSs) or similar national frameworks. It identified best practices, challenges and opportunities with regard to establishing effective linkages, drawing on lessons learned from current NFPs and from other sectors such as agriculture, energy, health and education. Based on findings, recommendations were proposed to enhance the presence and influence of forestry in wider planning instruments with a view of strengthening financial, institutional and policy support for forest-based poverty alleviation. LTS was contracted to elaborate the design and led on the implementation of the study. A regional event with all 10 countries participating to share experiences and outline priorities took place in Kenya in November 2007.
Kenya, Support to Forest Sector Reform - Miti Mingi Maisha Bora, 2008, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Finland. Kenya's forest sector is on the cusp of massive institutional reform. A new forest policy and legislation has paved the way for doing forestry more responsibly through restructuring government and encouraging meaningful engagement with the private sector and community forestry associations. LTS assisted with the design of a 5-year "Miti Mingi Maisha Bora - Support to Forest Sector Reform" implementation phase (2009-2014) valued at €22 million. The 5-year programme will: (i) establish capacity within the Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife for coordination and regulation of forestry issues including the establishment of a National Forestry Advisory Council, (ii) build capacity within the Kenya Forest Service to deliver a range of quality forestry products and services, (iii) improve the management of gazetted forest reserves in selected pilot areas through improved management practices and partnerships and (iv) increase the income of farmers and communities in selected pilot areas through improved production, processing and marketing of forestry products. Tanzania, Dar es Salaam Water Dialogue, 2008, SAB Miller / Tanzania Breweries Ltd. Our input guided and supported a dialogue initiated by SAB Miller Ltd and Tanzania Breweries Limited to address the problems facing commercial, municipal and domestic water users in Dar es Salaam now and in the future. Water demand trends and degradation of resources bring significant issues in terms of the reliability, quality and quantity of water available. The implications for the sustainability of business and the welfare of communities are a major concern. This stakeholder discussion brought together the full range of actors with mandates for or interest in water management in the city to agree the nature and cause of the problems seen, and a set of priority actions needed to navigate a profitable future based on sustainable resource use. Uganda, Scoping Mission: DFID Engagement in Climate Change, 2008, DFID. Region: Africa Country: Uganda Focus Areas:  The objective of this mission was: to provide the UK's Department for International Development with an overview of the implications of climate change for Uganda; to frame national priorities for adaptation; and in light of these to appraise current and planned initiatives by the Ugandan government and donors in order to scope the need for and potential focus of support from the UK government. Through a review of research outputs and literature, policy analysis, key informant interviews and broad stakeholder consultation, LTS provided an accurate depiction of the challenges that a changing climate brings. This also enabled us to provide a sophisticated understanding of the likely efficacy of current efforts to reduce the country's vulnerability. Our work highlighted the magnitude of the risks which climate change and climate variability pose to maintaining Uganda's development trajectory. By ensuring a responsive approach to the assignment we were able to go beyond the requirements of the TOR, providing prioritized recommendations for action, based on our review of the adequacy of the existing donor and government response. These included recommendations for risk-based sectoral adaptation; capacity building approaches; disaster risk modeling and screening; galvanizing leadership and the changes in institutional architecture and modalities required to tackle the difficult challenges which climate change poses in countries like Uganda. Kenya, Forestry Transaction Advisor, 2007-2008, United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the World Bank. The USAID-funded Forest Rehabilitation and Environmental Management Strengthening (FORREMS) Programme is a six-year initiative (2003-2008) that strengthens government natural resource management institutions, assists local community groups in improving forest and environmental management, aids the rehabilitation of degraded rangelands and improves rural livelihoods with sustainable nature-based enterprises. Together with the World Bank-funded Natural Resources Management Project, FORREMS has worked with the Forest Department (FD) and Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (MENR) in improving the enabling framework for sustainable forest management by advancing reforms in Forest Act, draft Forest Policy and Kenya Forest Service (KFS) - a state corporation that will replace the FD in 2007. The Forestry Transaction Advisor acts as the Principal Advisor to the Permanent Secretary, De-Linking Committee, Forest Reform Secretariat and Board on the transition of FD to the KFS. In this regard, the advisor brings to KFS expertise public sector reform such as strategic planning, corporate governance, organisational structuring, budget and finance, human resources management, recruitment and performance contracting. Ghana, Research and Advocacy Programme, 2004-2008, UK Department for International Development. LTS provided programme management services under the Ghana Research and Advocacy Programme (GRAP) - a pooled donor funding mechanism for supporting the institutional development of Research and Advocacy Organisations (RAOs) in Ghana. GRAP offered multi-annual grants to a group of the most established RAOs, selected on a competitive basis. The purpose of GRAP was to enhance the capacity of RAOs to carry out evidence-based research on economic, social, political and security issues, and to make an autonomous contribution to the policy process through dissemination of research, advocacy and coalition building. LTS managed the grant application procedure and brokerage of Partnership and Institutional Grant Arrangements, monitoring and assessment of RAO compliance with grant provisions, and audit services. Kenya and Tanzania, Review of Microfinance Initiatives in Protected Area and Environmental Contexts in East Africa, 2007, World Wildlife Fund and CARE International. As part of a multi-county lesson learning exercise, LTS was contracted to review six microfinance schemes established over the past eight years in the context of protected areas and ecosystem conservation projects with the objective of assessing their performance against environmental, social and financial criteria. LTS identified the need for, and designed a review of, selected savings and loan schemes that had been established in the context of protected area or natural resource management projects. LTS worked in partnership with WWF and CARE Tanzania to secure the funding and personnel to carry out the review. Using participatory social approaches to evaluate schemes, LTS led the field review of six project sites. LTS examined the short and long-term financial viability of the schemes, their environmental sustainability and socio-cultural acceptability. The results and lessons were compiled analysed and presented for consideration by the LTS, WWF and CARE partnership. Malawi, Zambia, Mozambique, Tanzania, Policy Options for Strengthening the Management of Miombo Woodlands to Meet Household Needs in Southern Africa, 2007, World Bank. The project contributed to the World bank project, Policies and incentives for improving the management of miombo woodlands to meet household needs in Southern Africa. The project outputs were for World Bank ARD and ENV staff working on the design and development of forestry interventions which incorporate elements of dry woodland management, as well as PREM staff who are engaged in the development of social, economic and policy instruments focused on poverty reduction, both through PRSPs and CASs and through Development Policy Lending instruments. This project provided a framework for an improved understanding of the linkage between rural livelihoods and miombo woodlands and was intended to inform the development of social and economic policies which have poverty alleviation as their primary objective. The overall project focused specifically on three themes: social and economic characteristics of miombo use and the role of miombo in income and consumption amongst poor rural households; how miombo woodlands can be better managed in a way which is consistent with meeting rural subsistence demands for tree products; and on social and economic policies which can strengthen their contribution to reducing risk and vulnerability of poor rural households through sustainable forest management. LTS provided an experienced staff member to author the paper on Policy options for strengthening dry woodland management in a way which contributes to their role in reducing risk and vulnerability and which enhances their contribution to household welfare. LTS undertook the background research and prepared a draft paper which was presented at a CIFOR meeting in November 2007, before completion of the draft in December 2007. The paper reviewed policy measures for improving the access, use and management of miombo woodland products by poor people. The paper developed themes which are emerging in the literature about the relationship between woodland management and the poor, including those related to common property resource use. Kenya, Implementing a Risk-based Approach Towards Environmental Management (REMAK), 2007, Environment Agency. The mandate of this initiative was twofold: to support the Kenyan National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) to develop a risk based environmental policy and regulatory framework for delivering the new Environment Management Coordination Act; and to engage partners in government, industry and civil society in delivering environmental improvements. LTS conducted an independent review of the programme to evaluate its impacts and sustainability. Our staff carried out a stakeholder analysis based on detailed personal testimonies of programme and NEMA staff, participant observation, field visits and questionnaire surveys. The actions we recommended included: the development of environmental planning and influencing tools, enhanced regulatory capacity through the adoption of a risk based approach and a business planning model for national incident management.
St Helena, Access Project - Environmental Assessment and Management Support Consultancy, 2006-2007, UK Department for International Development. The volcanic island of St Helena rises from the South Atlantic Ocean some 1,200 miles from the coast of Africa. The development of an airport was considered. Following feasibility studies, DFID recruited LTS in association with Faber Maunsell to undertake an Environmental Impact Assessment of the proposals and to produce an Environmental Assessment Report. In addition, LTS also prepared an Environmental Management Plan and Public Consultation and Disclosure Plan in advance of the appointment of a Design, Build and Operate contractor. These documents informed the tendering process for the operator and provided a basis for the design, construction and operation of the airport in manner that ensures that the highest possible standards of environmental management are met.
Tanzania, Development and Institutionalization of a National Forest Programme Monitoring Facility and Database, 2006-2007, World Bank. Tanzania's National Forest Programme (NFP) represents a long-term strategic plan for the implementation of the Forestry Policy and Forestry Act. It is cross sectoral in scope and covers a range of activities, being implemented by players within national government, local government, local communities, civil society and the private sector. During 2006-2007, LTS supported the Forestry and Beekeeping Division and Tanzania Forest Management and Conservation Project financed by the World Bank to develop a phased approach to the development of an information system to support the NFP. The primary objective of this assignment was to design, develop, establish, and institutionalize a functioning forest monitoring facility and database that drew on information generated at different levels, and from different sectors, including local government. The forest information system took into account current information needs and future foreseen needs and integration with other national systems, and global forest information systems.
Tanzania, Serengeti-North Luangwa Ecosystem Project, 2006-2007, Frankfurt Zoological Society. The Serengeti-North Luangwa Ecosystem Management Project was a 5-year integrated conservation, development and landscape management initiative jointly implemented and financed by the Frankfurt Zoological Society and the European Commission. Project activities focused on the practical application of the Approach's five operational guidelines: establishing inter-sectoral ecosystem cooperation mechanisms; improving understanding of ecosystem processes and functions; decentralising management to local institutions; improving benefits and incentives for local stakeholders; and introducing adaptive management systems. LTS provided process support to the project in terms of technical direction, strategic and operational planning, and monitoring and evaluation. The action helped strengthen policy and practice, building a central role for local communities in ecosystem management and, ultimately, helping ensure that key African ecosystems provide lasting conservation and livelihood benefits.
Africa, Implementing Africa's Science and Technology Consolidated Plan of Action, 2006, UK Department for International Development. DFID supported the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) Office of Science and Technology to support the design of institutional arrangements and strengthening of capacity for implementing 'Africa's Science and Technology Consolidated Plan of Action'. In early August 2005, the Bureau of the African Ministerial Council on Science and Technology instructed NEPAD Office of Science and Technology to start preparing background studies and initiate processes to guide and ensure speedy implementation of the Plan. LTS, in collaboration with the University of Edinburgh, supported the process through a short-term advisor based in Pretoria responsible for preparing two high-level policy papers on instruments and institutions for financing research and development based on global trends in Asia and conducting an international survey of donors funding science and technology in developing countries.
South Africa, Certification in the Natural Products Sector and Feasibility of Interventions, 2006, World Conservation Union. Under the umbrella of the recently launched Natural Futures Programme, the World Conservation Union in South Africa (IUCN-SA) and partner PhytoTrade Africa asked LTS and its partners to investigate ethical certification schemes and their accessibility to Southern African small and medium enterprises in the natural products sector. Within the (natural products) sector there are clear opportunities for entrepreneurial development and improved livelihoods for many poor rural communities. LTS took part in a technical team to review existing schemes and assess their appropriateness in a Southern African natural products context, identify associated barriers and opportunities and recommend intervention strategies to improve the accessibility and applicability of certification in this sector. The study informed the Natural Futures programme in the development / adaptation of a new or existing certification system for the benefit of natural product small and medium enterprises and the sector.
Sudan, Forestry Policy and Strategy Development, 2006, US Department of Agriculture. Southern Sudan has a diverse and extensive forestry resource base. After more than 20 years of civil war, this has become degraded and the government is rebuilding its structures from effectively a zero base. Following the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, the situation in Southern Sudan has been in a state of considerable flux. In 2006, LTS was hired by the US Department of Agriculture to assist the new Southern Sudanese Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry in developing a forestry policy and strategy. Relevant policy statements for the presidential address given at the first Southern Sudan parliament were elaborated based on an analysis of a strategic review of the strengths and limitations of the forestry sector and proposed programme of critical interventions. An overall strategy was suggested followed by more detailed treatment of commercial scale plantations and forest industries, natural forests and woodlands and trees in support of agriculture.
Tanzania, Mahale Ecosystem Management Project - Monitoring and Evaluation Plan, 2006, Frankfurt Zoological Society. The Mahale ecosystem bordering Lake Tanganyika is globally important for its tropical forest biodiversity, as well as for supporting the local livelihoods. In recent years, there has been major disturbance to these communities and large refugee in-migration from regional conflicts. This upheaval has increased poverty and severely impacted on the ecosystem's natural resource base. LTS was contracted to lead the design and development of the monitoring and evaluation plan for the Mahale Ecosystem Management Project which was co-financed by the European Commission and implemented by Frankfurt Zoological Society in partnership with Tanzania National Parks. LTS trained project staff in logical framework based monitoring and evaluation, and facilitated the development of a monitoring and evaluation plan for the project. The task was also expanded to assist the project team to develop a similar monitoring and evaluation plan for the Mahale Mountains National Park Management Plan.
Uganda, Forest Resources and Conservation Management Programme (FRMCP), 2002-2006, European Commission. This long-standing programme aimed to build upon the initial EC support to forestry, taking forward conservation and sustainable forest management and support to the establishment of compensatory timber plantations by the private sector. In addition to support to the predecessor Natural Forest Management Project in the mid-nineties and the detailed design of FRMCP in 1999, LTS provided various inputs from 2002-2006 including: site assessment and species recommendations for Uganda, tree improvement for timber plantations, yield studies for Uganda's main plantation species, non-wood forest product assessment methods, and an assessment of technology for boundary survey work. In 2005, LTS advised the Sawlog Production Grant Scheme on helping Uganda establish a viable fiscal framework for plantation investment by using existing economic models, and assessing the impact of different scenarios that included varying levels of grant payment and different taxation systems.
Malawi, Tanzania, Zambia, Support to Forestry College Curriculum Revision, 2003-2005, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Finland. The Forestry Colleges Curriculum Development Project aimed to revise the forestry curricula, build the capacity of College teachers to carry out curricula review, update teaching methods and produce new materials. The project objective was to link and build capacity for the national forestry programme in its early stages of implementation in order that lack of skills are no longer a constraint to its success. The Project also aimed to promote female student involvement, establish a monitoring and evaluation system and upgrade College facilities with a view to setting up systems for self -financing of the college in the future. International and regional networking were key strategies for change in this project. South Africa, NFP Support Services to the South Africa Forestry Programme, 2003-2005, UK Department for International Development. DFID supports the forest sector in South Africa as an integrated part of a wider sustainable livelihoods programme. There were three key areas of activity of LTS support including completing the restructuring / privatisation process for the plantation resource; consolidation and progressing the organisational changes within the Chief Directorate of Forests; and identification and establishment of the enabling environment and modalities for an enterprise based approach to achieving improved rural livelihoods from forestry. Our work aimed to enhance the commercial opportunities and capabilities of previously disadvantaged people. The LTS NFP support team provided guidance to the Policy & Strategy team on best practices for formulation and implementation of the National Forest Programme (NFP) that brought together forestry stakeholders in South Africa and boosted the Chief Directorate of Forests' perceived role as a key player in forestry and local economic development.
South Africa, Water and Forestry Support Programme (WFSP), 2003-2005, UK Department for International Development. The Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF) is responsible for managing South Africa's water and forestry resources and for reversing historic patterns of management detrimental to the interests of the poor. As an integrated part of a wider sustainable livelihoods programme, DFID has supported the forest sector in South Africa for over a decade. LTS' support to the WFSP covered four key areas of activity - completion of the restructuring / privatisation process for the plantation resource, consolidation of organisational changes within the Chief Directorate of Forests, identification and establishment of the enabling environment and modalities for an enterprise based approach to achieving improved rural livelihoods from forestry, and review and re-design of an NFP process. Our work aimed to enhance the commercial opportunities and capabilities of previously disadvantaged people.
Uganda, Plan Vivo System, 2003-2005, UK Department for International Development. LTS and ECCM initiated a successful Plan Vivo system in Uganda in 2003, which has already resulted in significant ancillary benefits beyond offsetting greenhouse gas emissions. Carbon sequestration offers a significant boost in income to farmers engaged in natural forest management: revenue generated through initial sales of carbon has offset start up costs for small scale forestry activities in Uganda, thus enabling rural communities to invest in sustainable resource management using income from environmental services. Participants also gained access to local and national markets for timber, pole wood and fuel wood, fruit and fodder. Nursery establishment and production of seedlings provided additional income to rural communities. In addition, the project built local and regional capacity and developed generic carbon management systems that may be replicated in other communities throughout the country.
Africa, Fact-Finding and Identification Mission for Finnish Regional Forestry Programme, 2004, Department for International Development Cooperation (Finland). Although broadly devolved from the Millennium Development Goals, Finland's Aid Resolution identifies a number of areas of particular relevance to forestry. In addition to the delivery of forest products and services, forestry, in which Finland's own economic development is strongly rooted, can have direct beneficial impact on poverty, livelihoods and food security. The Identification and Fact-Finding mission identified and analyzed the best alternatives for Finnish regional forestry cooperation in the Horn of Africa. LTS fielded two experts to determine whether there was scope for a regional forestry initiative, lasting initially 3 to 4 years and with a budget of some € 3 million. It was found that such an initiative would have to be relevant to all the countries in the region (Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan, Djibouti and Eritrea) and make a contribution to improved regional cooperation as a step to securing conflict reduction.
Nigeria, Evaluation of the Living Earth Community Forestry Project in Cross River State, 2004, Living Earth UK. Focus Areas: Alex Forbes of LTS International led the Final Evaluation of the project in accordance with EU guidelines on monitoring and evaluation. The evaluation engaged Living Earth Foundation Nigeria (LENF) staff and community-based groups in a lesson learning process that assessed achievements and impacts resulting from the project, and analysed what worked well and what didn’t during the course of project implementation and thereafter. Emphasis of the evaluation was on identifying positive and negative impacts, and long-term sustainability of positive impacts. The evaluation methodology applied includes review of project documentation, semi-structured interviews with project staff and institutional partner representatives, work sessions with beneficiaries in three communities, and field-based observations. Overall the LENF implemented and EU funded community-based forest management project was well managed and resulted in significant livelihood and sustainable forest management benefits in Cross River State.
Sierra Leone, Environmental Impact Assessment of the Bumbuna Hydro-electric Dam, World Bank and the National Power Authority, 2004, Nippon Koei Ltd. & BMT Cordah Ltd, UK. The Bumbuna Hydroelectric Project (BHP) is located on the Seli River, about 250 km northeast of Freetown, Sierra Leone. It consists of an asphalt-faced rock-filled dam (88 meters high), two multipurpose tunnels and a powerhouse at the base of the dam with a design capacity of 50 MW. The BHP is the first stage of a five-stage program for 275 MW ultimate capacity. A single-circuit 161 kV transmission line will transfer Bumbuna's power to Freetown and intermediate towns. An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the Bumbuna Hydroelectric Project was prepared in 1995. However, the original EIA was prepared under the constraints of an emerging civil war and was out of date and non-compliant with current World Bank operational guidelines. In 2004, LTS participated in a consortium responsible for updating the EIA. Our specialist team conducted a rapid biodiversity and land management assessment of the reservoir and immediate catchment areas in order to determine whether endemic or rare species and land-based livelihoods will be adversely affected by the project.
Uganda, Forest Sector Policy and Strategy Project, Ministry of Water, Lands & Environment, 1999-2004, UK Department for International Development. This project was a coordinated, sector-wide, multi-donor programme which achieved ambitious and complex forestry reform. The purpose of the project was to create a positive, effective and sustainable policy and institutional environment for the Ugandan forestry sector. Major outputs of the project included: the Uganda Forestry Policy (2001), the National Forest Plan (2002), and the new National Forestry and Tree Planting Act (2003). In 2004, the Forestry Department was divested into the Forestry Inspection Division (FID) under the Ministry of Water, Lands and Environment (MWLE) and the new National Forestry Authority (NFA) was launched. LTS was responsible for overall project management and administration, including the recruitment and administration of staff and provision of all technical support for the duration of the project. In achieving these major outputs, the project established poverty and forestry linkages through a National Forest Programme, as well as budget support mechanisms, successfully brokered a process of negotiation between central and local government, enabled business planning and new financing and legal arrangements and established incentive frameworks to balance commercial activities and public service obligations. Finally, it supported decentralised governance through forestry livelihood and carbon sequestration pilots that fed into real time learning mechanisms among the pilots.
Kenya, Uganda & Sri Lanka, Business Planning for Forestry, 2003-2004, Private. This private sector client had extensive estate areas with potential for commercial plantations set within a local mosaic of forest resources providing environmental and social benefits. The owner of the estate sought advice from LTS to develop a forestry plan consistent with the estates' commercial aims and commitments to sustainable development. The client had timber plantations in excess of its fuelwood needs and wanted to assess the viability and opportunity to develop commercial timber production. LTS provided a team of experts to evaluate the state of the plantations, the prevailing market and the political and institutional environment in which the client was operating in the 3 countries. From these assessments, LTS developed a suite of strategic options for the client to consider that satisfy their long-term objectives of a sustainable business that supports local economies. Tanzania, Development of a National Participatory Forest Management Monitoring System, 2003, DANIDA. Focus Areas:  The Government of Tanzania supports participatory forest management (PFM) as part of its strategy to achieve sustainable forest management by encouraging the management or co-management of forest and woodland resources by communities living closest to the resources. In addition, benefits to communities arising from PFM contribute towards reducing poverty. Faced with the challenge of acquiring information at local and national level to assess the efficiency, effectiveness and impact of PFM towards achieving both National Forest Programme (NFP) and National Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS) targets, the Government of Tanzania and DANIDA selected LTS to elaborate a PFM monitoring system. LTS mobilised a three person team to work with the Forest and Beekeeping Division staff of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism to review and assess existing PFM relevant monitoring systems currently in use, develop a national PFM monitoring system that builds on existing and emerging monitoring processes at local, district and national levels, and propose PFM monitoring indicators that are relevant and integrated within the National Poverty Reduction Monitoring Plan.
Tanzania, Jozani-Chwaka Bay Conservation Project, Phase III, Final Project Review, 2003, CARE International. The Jozani-Chwaka Bay Conservation Project was an integrated conservation and development project that was established by the Zanzibar Department of Commercial Crops, Fruit and Forestry (DCCFF) and CARE Tanzania, in 1995. The project objective was to conserve the unique biodiversity of the forest reserves and associated buffer zone known as the Jozani-Chwaka Bay Conservation Area, while enhancing the livelihoods of the surrounding communities. Phase III focused on developing a sustainable institutional landscape and addressing the issue of individuals’ livelihoods. This was done through the use of a participatory approach towards building a stronger civil society and using a strategy that linked income generation to tourism. The GEF component of the project provided support aimed at securing the long term biodiversity conservation status of the area. In particular, GEF provided support to the DCCFF to complete the process of National Park gazettement for Jozani, as well as promoting community involvement in the conservation and management of the Conservation Area. Cameroon, Establishment of the Cameroon Mountains Conservation Foundation (CAMCOF), 2002-2003, Cameroon Mountains Conservation Foundation/UK Department for International Development/United Nationas Development Programme. The project aimed for the Cameroon Mountains Conservation Foundation (CAMCOF) to obtain Global Environment Facility (GEF), Private and Public sector funding to support conservation and sustainable development initiatives within the Western Cameroon Mountains ecosystem. LTS International guided a participatory planning process that analysed threats to the ecosystem and their causes, and formulated programmatic priorities drawing on local and scientific knowledge and tested approaches for local level conservation and sustainable development. Ethiopia, AWASH Conservation and Development Project, 2002-2003, CARE International. CARE Ethiopia implements the AWASH Project in collaboration with the Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Organisation (EXCO) and the Regional Governments. The concept of community approaches to conservation is considered experimental in Ethiopia, thus the project is being regarded as a testing ground for new policy direction in the wildlife sector. LTS consultants provided process support to the project and CARE Ethiopia including the development of a monitoring & evaluation plan for the project, training and re-orientation of staff and change management to enable the project to become an Integrated Conservation & Development Project (ICDP), advice on the development and implementation of participatory natural resource management planning, and policy advice.
Malawi, Social Forestry Training and Extension Project, 1997-2003, European Commission. This highly successful pilot project was designed to develop the capacity of the Malawi Forestry Department to interpret and implement national forest policy with an emphasis on encouraging participatory social forestry. This was achieved through training of Forestry Department staff in extension planning and implementation, developing extension frameworks to reflect district and national strategies, and improving forestry education to include community-based issues. LTS was responsible for overall project management and administration including the recruitment and administration of staff, and provision of all technical support. This involved planning and implementing a comprehensive programme of in-service training to strengthen the extension planning and implementation capacity of the Forest Department focussing on headquarters and the five districts. LTS developed national and district level frameworks for forestry extension to reflect the strategies and priorities of the emerging National Forest Programme.
Cameroon, Mount Cameroon Project (Phase 2 & Exit), 1999-2002, UK Department for International Development. This project developed mechanisms for resource use and conservation in the high conservation value forests of Mount Cameroon. Partnerships for forest management were formed with a range of stakeholders including village users, national institutions and a major agro-business plantation corporation. The capacity of resource users and other stakeholders to implement a participatory strategy for sustainable use and conservation of forest resources in the Mount Cameroon region was developed and demonstrated by measurable impacts on livelihoods by forest user groups. Key forest resource information was factored into innovative forest management planning methods for use by Forest Officers and community forest managers. The project was based in the Limbe Botanic Garden, which was transformed into a semi-autonomous and viable research, training and information management institution providing services in participatory biodiversity conservation. In the exit phase, the technical assistance managed by LTS put emphasis on strengthening institutional capacity to take on vital roles and services.
Ghana, Gwira Banso Joint Forest Management Project, 2002, CARE Denmark/DANIDA. The project was implemented through close collaboration of its two components. One component focused on sustainable timber production and community benefits in their off reserve concession area, including raising awareness on the benefits of growing trees for local farmers. The second component aimed to increase the capacity of individual farmers and local institutions to implement economically, ecologically and socially sustainable land use practices which support forest maintenance and improve rural livelihoods. LTS provided an international Team Leader and specialist in participatory forest management, who was supported by a local institutional development expert and a technical and policy expert. Africa, Programme on Capacity Building for National Forest Programmes, 2001-2002, African Academy of Science/European Commission Focus Areas: The AAS project aimed to build capacity across Africa for the formulation and implementation of NFPs. In 2001, LTS was contracted to carry out a mid-term review of the project, and we provided relevant policy and training expertise from our staff consultants. Three countries (Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania) were visited for the review, and consultations were made with participants involved in the wider AAS programme as well as other relevant stakeholders. More recently, LTS in association with AAS, have undertaken a qualitative assessment of NFPs in Tanzania, Zambia, Uganda and Ghana.
Kenya, Ghana, Malawi, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Programme on Capacity Building for National Forest Programmes, 2001-2002, African Academy of Science/European Commission. The AAS project aims to build capacity across Africa (currently working in 16 countries) for the formulation and implementation of NFPs. In 2001, LTS was contracted to carry out a mid-term review of the project, and we provided relevant policy and training expertise from our staff consultants. Three countries (Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania) were visited for the review, and consultations were made with participants involved in the wider AAS programme as well as other relevant stakeholders. In 2002, LTS in association with AAS, undertook a qualitative assessment of NFPs in Tanzania, Zambia, Uganda and Ghana.
South Africa, Restructuring of Commercial Forests, 2001-2002, UK Department for International Development. The South African government announced that the state-owned timber plantations company, SAFCOL, would be privatized. LTS' support to South Africa's restructuring initiative was a key component of the wider ranging Restructuring Forests in Former Homelands Project, under which DFID supported programmes aimed to alleviate poverty and redress inequality in the former homelands by effectively restructuring the former homelands forests to achieve government policy objectives. The company owned 332,000 hectares of commercial tree plantations and other assets valued at between 1 and 1.5 billion Rand (some $USD 160-250 million). From 2001-2002 LTS provided high-level privatisation and forestry expertise to review options and assist the Department of Public Enterprises to un-block and push through to completion the stalled privatisation of SAFCOL and disposal of the remaining commercial forests.
Malawi, Privatisation of Commercial Forest Plantations, 2001, UK Department for International Development. The privatisation of Malawi's commercial forest plantations was a hot topic in the National Forest Programme (NFP) process. DFID has supported privatisation since the late nineties. The Malawi Forestry Department had prepared an outline of a project to privatise its commercial forestry plantations, to augment resources committed and to integrate Finnish assistance. LTS was crucial in the detailed preparation of DFID support, including aspects of feasibility and financing in order to transfer the management of commercial forest plantations from the public to private sector in a transparent, accountable and effective process addressing poverty, sustainability and equity issues.
Kenya, Arabuko Sokoke Project, 2000-2001, BirdLife International/European Commission. Arabuko Sokoke Forest is the largest remaining block of natural forest on the East African Coast. The forest is a remarkable biodiversity resource and is regarded as a key forest for bird conservation in mainland Africa, with a high proportion of endemic species unique to the forest or coastal area. A five-year management plan for the reserve was required, as well as a twenty-year strategic plan. LTS provided the services of a forest management planning specialist to focus on actions required for effective forest management, concentrating on natural forest, and to facilitate the development of a forest management plan. Recent international forest management experience and the evolving Kenyan operating environment in terms of forest and protected area policies, strategies and stakeholders, were all taken into account.
Africa, Assessment Study of the Vi Agroforestry Programme, 2000, SIDA. The programme sought to improve the livelihoods of small-scale rural poor farmers in the Lake Victoria area. This was achieved through direct assistance - through tree planting and agroforestry to improve land management, to increase food and nutritional security, fuelwood availability and income. LTS was contracted by SIDA to undertake the 'assessment study' of the Vi programme, which had not seen an evaluation for four years. The team appraised the relevance and efficiency of activities, specifically Vi's technical progress, capacity and cost efficiency in relation to its goals and objectives. It looked at the socio-economic impact of the activities with regard to gender, income generation and improved livelihoods of the poor. It also examined the ecological impact and sustainability of activities, the degree of local participation, the efficiency and cost effectiveness of project management, the M&E system, and sources of financing.
South Africa, Eastern Cape Community Forestry Pilot Project, Rural Development Forestry Education and Training Project & DFID Forest Sector Assistance Strategy, 2000, UK Department for International Development. LTS provided a Team Leader and forestry specialist to assess two DFID forestry projects and the DFID forest sector assistance strategy. DFID's assistance to the South African forest sector began in mid 1995, which resulted in the preparation of a strategy for assistance to the forest sector. This strategy - prepared through a participatory process involving a wide range of stakeholders from public, and corporate sectors and civil society - was formally agreed with the Minster responsible for Forests in March 1996. Part of this strategy was the establishment of two forestry projects initially identified within the Strategy - the Rural Development Forestry Education and Training project and the Eastern Cape Community Forestry Pilot Project.
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