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Africa, Congo Basin Forest Fund - Assessment of REDD Project Proposals, 2008-2009, Royal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Norway. 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. 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, Assessment Study of the Vi Agroforestry Programme, 2000, SIDA. Focus Areas: The Vi Agroforestry programme seeks to improve the livelihoods of small-scale rural poor farmers in the Lake Victoria area. This is 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. This programme had not been evaluated 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. Africa, Briefing paper on policy issues concerning REDD in Africa, 2008, DFID. Focus Areas: 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, Fact-Finding and Identification Mission for Finnish Regional Forestry Programme, 2004, Department for International Development Cooperation (Finland). Country: Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan, Djibouti, Eritrea 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 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, Eritrea) and make a contribution to improved regional cooperation as a step to securing conflict reduction. Africa, Linking National Forest Programme to Poverty Reduction Strategies, 2005- 2008, Food and Agriculture Organisation. Focus Areas: The multi-country study determined 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) were 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, ways were proposed to enhance the presence and influence of forestry in wider planning instruments with a view to strengthening financial, institutional and policy support for forest-based poverty alleviation. LTS was contracted to elaborate the design and lead 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. Asia, Capacity Building Programme for Stakeholder Participation in National Forest Programmes, 2006-2008, Food and Agriculture Organisation. Focus Areas: Gradually and in different countries of the world experiences are being gained in using participatory processes in national forest programmes (NFP). A community of practice on "enhancing stakeholders participation in NFPs" has been established by FAO in 2002 to bring together experts to share views, experiences, lessons learned and information on recent developments, to build or strengthen partnerships, to harmonise relevant approaches and to make them available to NFP actors world-wide. In 2005, LTS was selected to draft guidelines founded on global best practice. Although participatory approaches have been well developed and documented for local use in villages there is yet to be sufficient materials developed with clear principles and practical guidelines on methods and skills for how to make national forest policy processes more participatory. From 2006, we delivered a capacity building programme to motivate and assist facilitators / mentors who are linked to NFPs in 6 different Asian countries to make these processes more participatory. Lessons from these Asian pilot countries were harnessed for application of materials and capacity building services in other countries. Asia, Institutional Review of the Regional Community Forestry Training Centre for Asia and the Pacific, 2001, RECOFTC. Focus Areas: Asia, Training on Decentralised Forest Management Planning, 2003-2004, RECOFTC. Focus Areas: LTS managed in conjunction with RECOFTC a tailor-made training course designed at developing awareness and skills necessary for strategic planning also provides a platform from which capacity building for decentralised management - identifying objectives, budgeting, monitoring and evaluation and improving good governance - could be practically implemented. Through a strategic planning process, different institutions can define and develop a shared understanding of their long-term vision on the basis of national and local needs, facilitate effective involvement of wider stakeholders in the creation and implementation of strategies towards achieving their goals, and improve accountability, both upwards to central government and downwards to the local constituency, through integrated monitoring activities. Bhutan, Medicinal Plants Project Phase II, 2004-2007, European Commission. Focus Areas: The project aims were to conserve medicinal plant resources in high altitude areas of Bhutan; improve the incomes, employment opportunities and livelihoods of rural communities in high altitude areas; strengthen the organisation, management and cost-effectiveness of the medicinal plants industry; and enhance the availability of high quality medicinal plant products and traditional medicines for both the internal and external markets. LTS was responsible for overall project management and administration including the recruitment and administration of staff and provision of all technical support relating to the cultivation of aromatic and medicinal plants, the preparation of business plans and launching of commercial operations, and provided inputs in horticulture, legal aspects in biodiversity, community forestry, commercial realism, medicinal expertise, botanical expertise, TRIPS, protection of traditional knowledge and NTFPs. LTS drew upon its broad network of Edinburgh Centre for Tropical Forests (ECTF) partners for technical assistance. Bosnia and Herzegovina, Design Support for a National Forest Programme, 2005, USAID. Focus Areas: In Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) the National Forest Programme (NFP) was initiated following a multi-stakeholder approach which set out, implemented and monitorerd national policy and strategy development for forestry, and which recognised the explicit contributions of the sector to national economic growth, environmental sustainability and poverty reduction. USAID-BiH has been active in the forest sector since the late 1990's. Building on earlier work, the Cluster Competitiveness Activity (CCA) project, a 4 year initiative, aims to speed up economic growth in wood processing and forestry (as well as in tourism and agribusiness). LTS provided an Institutional Development Specialist to establish whether there is suitable support amongst stakeholders for an NFP process, and to design institutional arrangements governing the process and provide advice on a possible Partnership Agreement with the NFP Facility at FAO. Cameroon, Establishment of the Cameroon Mountains Conservation Foundation (CAMCOF), 2002-2003, Cameroon Mountains Conservation Foundation/UK Department for International Development/United Nationas Development Programme. Focus Areas: 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. Cameroon, Mount Cameroon Project (Phase 2 & Exit), 1999-2002, UK Department for International Development. Focus Areas: The 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. Cameroon, Mount Cameroon Project (Phase 2 & Exit), 2002, UK Department for International Development. Focus Areas: The project developed mechanisms for resource use and conservation in the high conservation value forests of Mount Cameroon. 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. During the final months LTS facilitated development and implementation of a dissemination strategy. Project staff were supported in a process of reflection on their experience and learning. LTS provided a two-level service, both mentoring staff through the writing process, and editing and writing paper after learning sessions. All outputs were attributed only to the MCP staff and the products had no reference to LTS. The process produced: 5 policy briefing notes to influence policy-change, The Cameroon Mountains Biodiversity and Livelihoods series (5 technical papers, with authorship attributed to project staff), Posters to support key issues. China, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Nepal, Market Development of Bamboo and Rattan Products with Potential, 2005-2008, Common Funds for Commodities. Focus Areas: The project was administered by the International Network on Bamboo and Rattan (INBAR), and aimed to improve the quality, durability and market opportunities and resource-base of bamboo-based commodities and their sustainable development in least developed countries. The project required the development and introduction of rehabilitation and certification systems for bamboo and rattan resources; provision of design improvement of the bamboo and rattan commodities meeting medium and high quality standards of the developed western markets; and ensured the dissemination of the new technology through training and networking. Project interventions were community-specific and aimed to improve quality of life for the rural poor, through their active involvement and improved commercialisation. LTS was the Supervisory Body providing guidance on best practice re project implementation, management and technical issues to ensure effective project impacts.
Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panamá and El Salvador, Feasiblity Study for the Development of a Regional Environmental Strategy, 1999-2000, European Commission. Focus Areas: The themes of Environment and Sustainable Development form important strands of the development co-operation between the EC and the Central America. This study was commissioned to examine the feasibility of developing a regional environmental strategy and provide a framework for future development co-operation. LTS International provided short term technical expertise forming part of the three person team to carry out the study. Specific tasks included the development of strategic proposals covering agriculture, industry, environmental protection, climate change and institutional strengthening.
Ethiopia, AWASH Conservation and Development Project, 2002-2003, CARE International. Focus Areas: 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. Ghana, Gwira Banso Joint Forest Management Project, 2002, CARE Denmark/DANIDA. Focus Areas: 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.
Ghana, Protected Areas Development Programme: Phase II , 2006 - 2009, European Commission. The prime objective of the Protected Areas Development Programme (Phase II) is to enhance the conservation of biodiversity heritage designated Globally Significant Biodiversity Area. The PADP II will consolidate and extend the on- and off-reserve achievements of its predecessor (PADP I), in particular securing long-term management prospects for the focal protected areas. This second phase is primarily an institutional strengthening intervention, with emphasis on building the capacity of existing local institutions and personnel, and enhancing the effectiveness of existing infrastructure. The approach involves the project playing a catalytic role to enable the Wildlife Division and other sectoral stakeholders to build sustainable management capacity, rather than simply providing a vehicle for implementing activities. LTS is responsible for overall project management and administration including the recruitment and administration of staff, and provision of all technical support.
Ghana, Protected Area Development Project, 2002, European Commission. Focus Areas: The Protected Areas Development Programme (PADP) in Western Region, Ghana, started in 1997 and produced management plans for the Bia and Ankasa Conservation Areas. The Programme also implemented infrastructure development within each area and included a pilot off-reserve community based wildlife management initiative. LTS was commissioned to undertake a Final Evaluation of the PADP in accordance with EC evaluation guidelines and provided a team of technical and financial consultants.
India, Project Formulation for an Integrated Natural Resource Development and Poverty Reduction Project, 2003-2004, Japanese Bank for International Cooperation. Focus Areas: JBIC commissioned a review of the Social Forestry aspects of this EU funded Project. The Project focuses on the nature of the operations of Village Forest Committees and the potential to impact on marginalised groups. LTS provided a social forestry specialist to review the social forestry aspects of the project performance. The specialist provided recommendations on improving the effectiveness of planting activities under the joint forest management component and on the Haryana Forest Department implementing structure. India, Review of the Jharkhand Community Forestry Project, 2002, World Bank. Focus Areas: The proposed five-year Jharkhand Community Forestry Project developed mechanisms to promote and sustain a transition from Joint Forest Management (JFM) to Community Forest Management (CFM). The adoption of CFM aimed to empower communities to take autonomous decisions regarding the management of forest resources. The project aimed to develop and strengthen participatory systems of natural resource management to improve the livelihoods of rural people in the forested areas. LTS was involved in reviewing the proposed project.
India, Uttar Pradesh Forestry Project, 2002, World Bank. Focus Areas: The Uttar Pradesh Forestry Project assists the Government of Uttar Pradesh in the development of the forestry sector. The project aims to improve public sector management in the sector, increase forest cover, productivity and biodiversity in an environmentally and socially sustainable manner. LTS undertook an assessment of the incentive structure for farmers to be involved in farm forestry, particularly in districts where departmental seedling production in expected to be phased out. An evaluation of the Forestry Departments' communication, extension and market development measures was undertaken and the monitoring and evaluation program reviewed.
India, Western Ghats Forestry Project - Project Process Support Team, 1995 - 2001, UK Department for International Development. Focus Areas: The Western Ghats Forestry Project aimed to conserve the biodiversity of the Western Ghats forests in Southern India and to sustain and enhance the livelihoods. This was achieved through a process of institutional strengthening within the Forest Department to develop Joint Forest Planning and Management strategies in conjunction with local communities. Approaches to produce a sustainable supply of forest products, encourage regeneration and improve forest cover whilst conserving biodiversity and ecological functions of the forests were developed. LTS managed and provided consultants to a team of four specialists providing process support to guide the development of the Karnataka Forest Department. The support team focused on the development cycle and division level strategies, of client-focused and site-specific management systems; management information systems; training; monitoring and evaluation; and technical issues including forest management planning, research and remote sensing. Indonesia, Citarik Watershed Management Project, 2001-2003, Japanese Bank for International Cooperation. Focus Areas: LTS provided specialist expertise in local NGO capacity building to support communities in the Citarik sub-watershed to better self-organise, and to advise on technical matters related to agricultural improvements. These capacity building efforts were in preparation for the implementation of the follow-on project. The specialist provided by LTS assisted the NGOs to re-focus rural development through a stakeholder-based self-help approach, set up & improve community-based NRM systems, introduce participatory planning methodologies, in particular to integrate women in the planning process, to bring in private sector expertise in marketing & food processing, and establish rural credit schemes and cooperative banks.
Indonesia, EC Indonesia Forest Sector Support Programme - Pre-completion Review, 2002, European Commission. Focus Areas: The assignment consisted of the Forest Inventory and Monitory Project (FIMP) and the Integrated Radio Communications Systems (IRCS) Project. The Forest Fire Prevention and Control Project were also partly integrated into the programme. LTS provided an international evaluation team who undertook a pre-completion review of these project components.
Kenya and Tanzania, Review of Microfinance Initiatives in Protected Area and Environmental Contexts in East Africa, 2007, World Wildlife Fund and CARE International. Focus Areas: As part of a multi-county lesson learning exercise LTS was contracted to review six microfinance schemes that have been established over the last 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 have 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. Kenya, Conservation and Rehabilitation of the Mau Forest Complex, 2009, UNEP
Kenya, Arabuko Sokoke Project, 2000-2001, BirdLife International/European Commission. Focus Areas: 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 strategic twenty-year 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.
Kenya, Ghana, Malawi, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia, Programme on Capacity Building for National Forest Programmes, 2001-2002, African Academy of Science/European Commission. Focus Areas: 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.
Malawi, Social Forestry Training and Extension Project, 1997-2003, European Commission. Focus Areas: 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. (SEE ALSO OTHER ENTRY) Malawi, Tanzania and Zambia, Support to Forestry College Curriculum Revision, 2003-2005, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Finland. Focus Areas: 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.
Malawi, Zambia, Mozambique and Tanzania, Policy options for strengthening the management of miombo woodlands to meet household needs in Southern Africa, 2007, World Bank. Focus Areas: 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.
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.
Nepal, Review of the Royal Bardia National Park Buffer Zone Development Project - Phase II, 2002, CARE International. Focus Areas: LTS provided the Team Leader to review an integrated conservation and development project working directly with NGOs, CBOs and the park authorities to effectively manage the biodiversity of the Park and it's buffer zone. LTS led project staff through an evaluation and reflection process that resulted in the Final Inception Report including an action plan to implement the reviews recommendations. The review considered all aspects of the project including the adoption of new technology that enables the sustainable intensification of agriculture, the promotion of income generation and household economic diversification to improve livelihood security. Panama, Costa Rica, Honduras, Nicaragua, Guatemala and El Salvador, Review of the Regional Assistance Programme for Fisheries Development in the Central American Isthmus - PRADEPESCA, 1999-2000, European Commission. Focus Areas: The PRADEPESCA commenced in 1990 with the objective of forging the basis for co-ordinated and rational development of the fisheries sector in the Central American region. The programme aimed to encourage co-ordination between the fisheries sectors in each country and develop a regional framework for sustainable development of the sector. LTS was involved in a short term mission to review Phase 1 of the PRADPESCA programme and assess the potential for the fisheries sector in to aid the process of regional integration.
Peru, Understanding water use in Ica: the implications of water governance and climate change for social equity and sustainable economic development, 2009, Progressio. Focus Areas: This piece of work was driven by demand within Peru for a better understanding of water use and governance issues within Ica province, in order to support social equity and sustainable economic development in the face of a changing climate. LTS provided the Team Leader / international consultant on this project, who developed the research methodology, coordinated the research in close liaison with Progressio’s Policy and Advocacy Officer, Peru’s country representative and other relevant partners, collected and analyzed relevant data in-country and produced a detailed final report. The report discussed the social, environmental and economic implications of water use in Ica; factors that determine the water use and what are the root causes of the water use outcomes observed; the likely implications of climate change for water resources and water users in Ica; and identified priorities for future water resource governance which is socially equitable, environmentally sustainable and which supports economic development.
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. Focus Areas: 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.
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.
South Africa, Water and Forestry Support Programme (WFSP), 2003-2005, UK Department for International Development. Focus Areas: 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 public sector reform programme, DFID has supported the forest sector in South Africa for over a decade. LTS's support (2003-2005) 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. Southern Africa, Regional Climate Change Programme, 2007-2008, UK Department for International Development. Focus Areas: Climate change is arguably one of the major and far reaching of the devastating issues that southern Africans increasingly experience - its effect on natural resources and poor communities that depend on them is already evident. DFID is supporting adaptation efforts in the Southern African region focusing on the achievement and sustainability of three of the Millennium Development Goals - food security, water and health. Together with our regional partner OneWorld, LTS is conducting a 5-country feasibility study to clarify the role DFID should play to help southern Africa respond to the challenge of climate change. LTS is identifying key risks and vulnerabilities in the region as well as thoroughly reviewing the anticipated impacts climate change and determining at what resolution biophysical information is needed to inform a) a robust regional programme and b) allow for effective monitoring of climate change progress and effectiveness of responses. The analysis of the existing policy and regulatory framework and the scientific, institutional and lobbying capacity is also being undertaken.
St Helena, Access Project - Environmental Assessment and Management Support Consultancy, 2006-2007, UK Department for International Development. Focus Areas: 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 is being considered. Following feasibility studies, the DFID recruited LTS in association with Fabuer Mansuell to undertake an Environmental Impact Assessment of the proposals and produce an Environmental Assessment Report. We 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 ensured that the highest possible standards of environmental management were met.
Tanzania, Mid-term review of the project Eastern Selous Community Wildlife and Natural Resources Management Project, 2009, Belgian Technical Cooperation (BTC). Focus Areas: 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.
Tanzania, Dar es Salaam Water Dialogue, 2008, SAB Miller / Tanzania Breweries Ltd. Focus Areas: 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. Tanzania, Development and Institutionalization of a National Forest Programme Monitoring Facility and Database, 2006-2007, World Bank. Focus Areas: Tanzania's National Forest Programme (NFP) represents a ten-year 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 develop a phased approach to the development of the 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 regard current information needs and future foreseen needs and integration with other national systems, and global forest information systems.
Tanzania, Development of a National Participatory Forest Management Monitoring System, 2003, DANIDA Denmark. 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 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 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 Focus Areas: The Jozani-Chwaka Bay Conservation Project is 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 is 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 issues of people's livelihoods. This was done by using 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. Tanzania, Mahale Ecosystem Management Project - Monitoring and Evaluation Plan, 2006 Frankfurt Zoological Society. Focus Areas: 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.
Tanzania, Serengeti-North Luangwa Ecosystem Project, 2006-2007, Frankfurt Zoological Society. Focus Areas: The Serengeti-North Luangwa Ecosystem Management Project is a 5-year integrated conservation, development and landscape management initiative being jointly implemented by Frankfurt Zoological Society, with co-financing from the European Commission. Project activities focus 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 that builds a central role for local communities in ecosystem management and, ultimately, helped ensure that key African ecosystems provide lasting conservation and livelihood benefits.
Timor Leste, Rural Development Programme II, Identification and Appraisal Missions, 2005, European Commission. Focus Areas: Based on the EC Country Strategy Paper and National Indicative Plan 2005-06, this project supported the Government of Timor-Leste in the identification and appraisal of a second integrated Rural Development Programme (RDP II) to be financed by the EU with a budget of € 9 million. By focusing on agriculture and rural infrastructures, the project targeted poor rural communities in remote and isolated areas in the western districts of the country. The agriculture component focused on food production and availability to improve food security; forestry, agro-forestry and watershed management; forest policy; as well as institutional and capacity building. The rural infrastructure component focused on ensuring access to markets and primary services, and connecting communities to the district towns as well as to the capital Dili. LTS provided 2 experts for the identification and appraisal missions. Uganda, Forest Resources and Conservation Management Programme (FRMCP), 2002-2006, European Commission. Focus Areas: The long-standing programme built upon the initial EC support to forestry, taking forward conservation and sustainable forest management and supported the establishment of compensatory timber plantations by the private sector. In addtion to supporting the predecessor Natural Forest Management Project in the mid-nineties and the detailed design of FRMCP in 1999, LTS provided various inputs over 4 years (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, 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.
Uganda, Forest Sector Policy and Strategy Project, Ministry of Water, Lands & Environment, 1999-2004, UK Department for International Development. Focus Areas: This project represented 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: Uganda Forestry Policy (2001), the National Forest Plan (2002), 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 and budget support mechanisms and successfully brokered process of negotiation between central and local government, business planning and new financing and legal arrangements, as well as incentive frameworks to balance commercial activities and public service obligations. Finally, it supported decentralised governance through forestry livelihood and carbon sequestration pilots that will feed into a real time learning mechanisms among the pilots, the planning for the Modernisation of Agriculture and the National Agricultural Advisory Services.
Uganda, Forest Sector Policy and Strategy Project, Ministry of Water, Lands & Environment, 1999-2004, UK Department for International Development. Focus Areas: The FSPSP has been at the heart of forest sector reform processes in Uganda from 1999-2004. It has produced a number of briefing notes for use within Uganda to inform the stakeholders of issues and reform progress. Towards the end of the Project, it wanted to share the lessons learned from implementation of the reform processes with a wider audience internationally. It was decided that this would best be done through a series of nine 'process learning notes' that would share the real experiences of reform to help others going through similar processes. Each note focused on what particular sub-process (e.g. policy development, planning the new institutions, influencing, sector co-ordination). LTS facilitated the drafting of these notes and to help complete other documents, in recognition of the limited time available to project staff. Uzbekistan, Establishment of the Nuratau-Kyzylkum Biosphere Reserve as a Model for Biodiversity Conservation, 2003-2005, United Nations Development Programme. Focus Areas: LTS managed a sub-project on Community Forestry and Reforestation. The overall goal of the sub-project was to address the biodiversity threats from forest loss/degradation, by developing sustainable forestry use and restoration models which are: easily replicable, founded as far as possible on traditional existing / historical practices and customs, and provide sufficient socio-economic benefits as to make widespread adoption likely. Activities built ownership and responsibility within local communities and as a result were more likely to be sustained and supported in the long term. An emphasis was placed on utilizing traditional knowledge and customs as far as was practically possible, thereby building on existing skills and helping to ensure appropriateness of activities for local conditions.
Vietnam, Country Strategy Paper Review, 2002, UK Department for International Development. Focus Areas: In 2002, DFID was in the process of reviewing its country strategy paper (CSP) in Vietnam in order to assess progress toward meeting the CSP's objectives, focussing in particular on improved income opportunities for the rural poor and a greater understanding of the causes, characteristics and consequences of poverty. LTS provided high-level governance support to the regional DFID field office. The whole team assessed progress against the Logframe and progress against the priorities and expectations of the Government of Vietnam (GoV). Further, the level of uptake of innovative ideas and Lessons Learnt from DFID interventions within other donor funded programmes and GoV development planning provided insights to what extent DFID influenced the mind set at national level. Generic governance issues were captured through thematic case studies.
Vietnam, Output to Purpose Review of the Northern Mountains Poverty Reduction Project, 2003, UK Department for International Development. Focus Areas: The Northern Mountains Poverty Reduction Project (NMPRP) was co-financed by the World Bank and DFID to the value of USD132.5 million and aimed to benefit about 1 million rural poor, 85% of whom are ethnic minorities in six provinces of Vietnam. The project provided basic rural infrastructure and other demand led investments including basic education, health and agricultural extension services and facilities. LTS undertook a review and consultation with key stakeholders, and village interviews to assess the initial performance of the programme against the criteria set out in the project documents and logical framework; role of the programme within the broader poverty reductions efforts of the provinces, central government and other donors; and analysis of the relationships between key stakeholders in the project and the impact that they have had on the success of the project. World, Best Practice Guidelines - Sacred Natural Sites: Guidelines for Protected Area Managers, 2007, IUCN-UNESCO. Focus Areas: The IUCN Best Practice Protected Area Management Guidelines are recognised at the definitive work on protected area management, offering advice based on syntheses of worldwide experience by a team of international experts, and subject to a rigorous peer review. As lead authors, LTS provided management services to the drafting of IUCN-UNESCO Best Practice Guidelines - Sacred Natural Sites: Guidelines for Protected Area Managers. This included reviewing tasks of all editors, developing a work-plan, liaising with World Congress on Protected Areas Best Practice Series editor and the IUCN publications unit. LTS supported the facilitation of a consultation process with key stakeholders, especially indigenous custodians of sacred sites. It also included a literature review and the development of case studies for inclusion in the guidelines. The role also included the raising of supplementary funds for the guidelines. The guidelines were published in 2008 and presented at the World Conservation Union Congress in Barcelona, Septembre 2008.
Worldwide, Evaluation of DFID's Ten Year Renewable Natural Resources Research Programme, 2004-2005, UK Department for International Development. Focus Areas: LTS, in collaboration with the Oxford Policy Management Institute and the Norwegian Agricultural University, was selected to conduct an evaluation of DFID's ten year Renewable Natural Resources Research Programme. This evaluation constituted an important opportunity to reassess and redirect DFID's RNRR programme and strategy within the context of DFID's agenda and priorities as stated in DFID's Research Funding Framework for 2005 to 2007 (final draft/May 2004). Our methodology was process based and designed to identify the impact of the Renewable Natural Resources Strategy on all its stakeholders, across the different disciplines and at practice and policy levels. We will identify key components of the research programmes that impact on poverty. Participatory methodologies will be used to ensure attribution of impacts to different stakeholders and draw together the lessons learnt from all components and relate them to the different stakeholders' interests.
Worldwide, Guidelines on Stakeholder Participation in National Forest Programmes, 2004-2005, Food and Agriculture Organisation. Focus Areas: Today, nearly all countries have forest sector strategies of some form or another, most of which have elements of an NFP process. Participation is widely accepted as an essential principle for such processes, however there is a wide and diversified understanding about what participation means. Furthermore there is only very little knowledge and information available to provide guidance for those organisations which intend to conduct participatory processes. FAO and other national and international organisations have set up a "Community of Practice" on "Enhancing Stakeholder Participation in NFPs" to exchange information, build partnerships and collaboratively work on related topics. In support of the Community of Practice, LTS developed guidance with the Forestry Policy and Information Division at Food and Agriculture Organisation designed for use by NFP coordinators, forest sector planners in respective ministry policy units, government agency leaders involved in reform, policy makers and strategists, monitoring specialists, experts with an interest in participation, and advisors on governance and poverty in related sectors in both developed and developing countries.
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