Case Studies: Policy & Strategy Development
Asia, Regional Study on Forestry Policy and Institutional Reforms, Formulation of the Bank's Policy for Forestry, 2000-2001, ADB
The study revised the ADB forest policy and sector strategy to make it consistent with and reflective of the needs of the Developing Member Countries, recent thinking and developments in the sector and to align the policy within ADB's overarching objective of poverty reduction. LTS provided the Forest Policy and Economics Specialist to the Bank's study team, which reviewed the performance of the ADB's current (1995) Policy for Forestry, and the performance of the investment portfolio in the forestry sector; considered how macro-economic factors such as taxes, subsidies and general market failures contribute to poor performance. Based on these findings, the LTS consultant supported the ADB in formulating its Policy for Forestry, which will guide investment decisions and project design in the medium term.
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 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, Implementing Africa's Science and Technology Consolidated Plan of Action, 2006, UK Department for International Development
The DFID is supporting the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) Office of Science and Technology to support the design of institutional arrangements and strengthen 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 that will guide and ensure speedy implementation of the Plan. LTS in collaboration with the University of Edinburgh is supporting 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.
Africa, Linking National Forest Programme to Poverty Reduction Strategies, 2005- 2007, Food and Agriculture Organisation
The multi-country study attempts 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 identifies 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 will be 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 is now leading on the implementation of the study. A regional event to share experiences and outline priorities is also scheduled.
Africa, Forest Governance Learning Group, 2003-2005, International Institute for Environment and Development/UK Department for International Development
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.
Bosnia and Herzegovina, Design Support for a National Forest Programme, 2005, USAID
In Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) a National Forest Programme (NFP) process following a multi-stakeholder approach which sets out, implements and monitors national policy and strategy development for forestry, and which recognises the explicit contributions of the sector to national economic growth, environmental sustainability and poverty reduction is now being initiated. USAID-BiH has been active in the forest sector since the late 1990's, as a result of the work with firms in the wood processing sector undertaken within the Business Consulting, Business Finance and Cluster Competitiveness Initiative projects. The Cluster Competitiveness Activity (CCA) project is a 4 year initiative which aims to speed up economic growth in wood processing and forestry (as well as in tourism and agribusiness), building on the earlier work. 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.
Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panamá et El Salvador, Feasiblity Study for the Development of a Regional Environmental Strategy, 1999-2000, European Commission
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.
Georgia, Development of National Forest Standards, 2003-2006, World Bank
Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, Georgia is developing and refining its Government structure, legislation, regulations and standards to comply with its evolution to a market based economy. Under the Soviet system there were over 400 standards relating to forestry. Under the World Bank Forest Sector Development Project, LTS worked with the State Forest Department (2003-2005) through a National Working Group of local counterparts to develop a new set of national standards. As part of the fundamental policy reform, the Group, supported by LTS experts, reviewed existing standards, identified new ones to be established, developed provisions for monitoring and verification of compliance with various standards, prepared a training plan for monitoring and enforcement officials and forest users, and elaborated the draft standards.
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. More recently, LTS in association with AAS, have undertaken a qualitative assessment of NFPs in Tanzania, Zambia, Uganda and Ghana and are planning further collaborative activities in this area.
Panama, Costa Rica, Honduras, Nicaragua, Guatemala, El Salvador, Review of the Regional Assistance Programme for Fisheries Development in the Central American Isthmus - PRADEPESCA, 1999-2000, European Commission
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.
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 are three key areas of activity of LTS support include 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 aims to enhance the commercial opportunities and capabilities of previously disadvantaged people. The LTS NFP support team have provided guidance to the Policy & Strategy team on best practices for formulation and implementation of the National Forest Programme (NFP) that is bringing together forestry stakeholders in South Africa and boost Chief Directorate of Forests' perceived role as a key player in forestry and local economic development.
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 new government is having to rebuild its structures from effectively a zero base. Following the Comprehensive Peace Agreement the situation in Southern Sudan is 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 develop 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 is suggested followed by more detailed treatment of commercial scale plantations and forest industries, natural forests and woodlands and trees in support of agriculture.
Uganda, Forest Sector Policy and Strategy Project, Ministry of Water, Lands & Environment, 1999-2004, UK Department for International Development
This project represents a coordinated sector-wide, multi-donor programme which has 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 include: 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 has 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.
UK, Review of Nine Regional Forestry Frameworks, 2006, Forestry Commission
The aim of this study was to review the nine Regional Forestry Frameworks (RFF) developed between 2003 and 2005 and to map their scope and focus against the 1998 England Forestry Strategy (EFS).The rationale for the assignment was the impending revision of the England Forestry Strategy and the need was to determine how the priorities and scope of individual RFFs matched the EFS. In due course the revised EFS will accommodate the nine RFFs and also provide a basis for situations where national as opposed to regional actions are required. LTS provided two people with wide experience of international and UK forest policy development and institutional change.
UK, Evaluate the Efforts in Assessing the Environmental Policy of the Beneficiary Countries of the Special Arrangements to Combat Drug Production and Trafficking Under the Generalised Tariff Preferences, 2004, European Commission
In order to help the 12 countries to combat the drug trafficking and production culture, duty free access was granted to imports of certain products originating in these countries. The special arrangements provide the countries with export opportunities for substitution crops to help improve their economic and social development. The aim of the project was to foster industrialisation, diversification and to promote sustainable development. The project was an independent evaluation of the environmental policy, in particular the sustainable management of tropical forests, of the twelve beneficiary countries during the time they have enjoyed the duty free benefits until the end of 2002.
Vietnam, Country Strategy Paper Review, 2002, UK Department for International Development
DFID is currently 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 in Thailand. 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.
Worldwide, Medium and Long-term Outlook for the Tropical Timber Market, 2000-2001, International Tropical Timber Organisation
Since the 1997 Asian currency crisis, economic conditions and currencies have stabilised, exports are growing and confidence has returned to the tropical timber trade. This study for ITTO was to provide a reassessment of the outlook for the tropical timber market in relation to the factors affecting global supply and demand for tropical timber and wood products. Extensive market research in producer and consumer countries was undertaken, followed by preparation of forecasts of supply and demand under various assumptions, using existing and redefined economic models as appropriate.
Worldwide, Guidelines on Stakeholder Participation in National Forest Programmes, 2004-2005, Food and Agriculture Organisation
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 has 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.
