FINAL NARRATIVE REPORT · Web view2019-03-05 · Congo Basin VPA Implementation-Championing...

Congo Basin VPA Implementation-Championing Forest People’s Rights and Participation Project

(EU-CFPR)

Interim Narrative ReportDecember 2013 – December 2014

Dr Aurelian Mbzibain – Project ManagerCentre for International Development and Training (CIDT)

March 2015

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© FODER, 2014

List of Abbreviations

ACRN African Community Rights Network APV Accord de Partenariat Volontaire BNC Brigade nationale de contrôle CEDCCMO

Centre pour l’Environnement et le DéveloppementComité Conjoint de Mise en Œuvre

CEFDHAC Commission des Forêts Denses et Humide d’Afrique CentraleCIDT Center for International Development and TrainingCIEDD Centre pour l’Information Environnementale et le Développement DurableCIONGCA Conseil Inter Organisation Non Gouvernementale de CentrafriqueCiSoPFLEGT Strengthening Civil Society and Private Sector Participation in VPA FLEGTCLA Communauté Locale et AutochtoneCCMO Comité Conjoint de Mise en ŒuvreCFG Community Forest Groups CNMOSCNT

Comité National de Mise en Œuvre et de Suivi Conseil National de la Transition

CNS Comité National de SuiviCONAC Commission Nationale de Lutte AnticorruptionCPF Comités Paysans ForêtsCRESA-FB Centre Régional d’Enseignement Spécialisé en Agriculture Forêt-BoisCRN Community Rights Network CTDR Collège Technique pour le Développement RuralDD Délégués Départementaux du MINFOF DEPFOR Département de Foresterie DFID Department for International Development DR Délégués Régionaux du MINFOFEC European CommissionECFP Actuelle Plateforme forêts et communautésEFI European Forest Institute ENEF Ecole Nationale des Eaux et Forêts de MbalmayoENRTP Environnement et Gestion Durable des Ressources Naturelles, y compris l'Energie EU European UnionEU-CFPR Congo Basin VPA Implementation-Championing Forest people’s rights and

ParticipationFASA Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural SciencesFC Forêts CommunautaireFGF Forum sur la gouvernance forestière FLEGT Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and TradeFMBEE Filière des Métiers du Bois, de l’Eau et de l’Environnement FODER Forêt et Développement RuralFPIC Free, prior and informed consent FPP Forest People ProgrammeGDRNE Gestion Durable des Ressources Naturelles et de l’EnvironnementGFC Groupement des forets communautairesISDR Institut Supérieur pour le Développement RuralILO International Labour Organisation ISTM Institut Supérieur de Technologie et de managementLAS Legality Assurance System LFR Tackling deforestation through Linking FLEGT and REDD+

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MEFP Maison de l’Enfant et de la Femme Pygmées

MINEPDED Ministère de l’Environnement, de la Protection de la Nature et du Développement Durable

MINFOF Ministère des Forêts et de la Faune NIEF Normes d’Inventaire d’Exploitation ForestièreOE-FLEGT(2) Mise en place d’un système national d’observation indépendante externe et

normalisé OIE Observation Indépendante ExterneONE Observatoire National des ElectionsOSCOITPA

Organisation de la Société CivileOrganisation International du TravailPeuples Autochtones

PSRF Programme de Securisation des Recettes Forestiers RACOPY Réseau Recherches Actions Concertées Pygmées RBUE Règlement sur le Bois de l’Union Européenne RCA République CentrafricaineREPALCA Réseau des Peuples Autochtones et Locales de CentrafriqueRC-OIE Réunion de Coordination de l’Observation Indépendante ExterneREFOCOD Réseau des Forêts Communautaires du Dja et MpomoRFUK Rainforest Foundation United Kingdom RIFFEAC Réseau des Institutions de Formation Forestière et Environnementale en Afrique

CentraleSSTR Système pour le Suivi en Temps RéelSTP Secrétariat Technique Permanent SWOT Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities and ThreatsSVL Système de Vérification de la Légalité UFC Unions des Forêts CommunautairesWWF Fonds Mondial pour la Nature

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Disclaimer:This report has been produced with the assistance of the European Union and DFID. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of the author and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union, DFID nor of the University of Wolverhampton.”

1. Description

1.1. Name of beneficiary of grant contract: University of Wolverhampton, Centre for International Development and Training (CIDT)

1.2. Name and title of the Contact person: Philip N. Dearden, Project Director and Head of Centre

1.3. Name of Partner in the Action: Forets et Développement Rurale (FODER), Centre pour l’Environnement et Développement (CED), Maison de l’Enfant et de la Femme Pygmées (MEFP), Centre pour l’Information Environnementale et le Développement Durable (CIEDD), FERN, Forest Peoples Programme

1.4. Title of the Action: Congo Basin VPA Implementation – championing forest peoples’ rights and participation.

1.5. Contract number: DCI-ENV/2013/323-9206

1.6. Start date and end date of the reporting period: 27/12/2013 to 31/12/2014

1.7. Target countries: Central African Republic (CAR), Cameroon (CMR) and the European Union

1.8. Final beneficiaries & target groups1:

30 organisations - members of the platform Gestion Durable des Ressources Naturelles et de l’Environnement (GDRNE) in CAR.

40 organisations – members of the Forests and Communities Platform in Cameroon (ECFP).

Indigenous peoples’ associations and their representatives in National VPA Committees in CAR and Cameroon.

Academia and vocational training institutions in CAR and Cameroon.

Final beneficiaries:

The five million forest dependent communities adversely affected by poor forest governance amongst which are 95,000 IPs in Cameroon and CAR.

1.9. Country(ies) in which the activities take place (if different from 1.7): same

1 “Target groups” are the groups/entities who will be directly positively affected by the project at the Project Purpose level, and “final beneficiaries” are those who will benefit from the project in the long term at the level of the society or sector at large.

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2. Assessment of implementation of Action activities

2.1. Executive summary of the Action

Implementation of the Action has been strong, with a number of the larger activities already completed. The project produced the first animation “The Story of FLEGT,” which has been viewed close to 4500 times, has been widely used by forest governance campaigners, and been disseminated in the Congo Basin region and beyond. The film has been translated into seven languages and FERN and Forêt et Développement Rural (FODER) have assisted with translation into local languages in Cameroon. FERN published two updates on FLEGT and 3 other editions covering key policy issues and project activities in Cameroon and Central African Republic (CAR). These are well received with close to 9000 views online. The project has also facilitated the selection and integration of representatives of Indigenous Peoples (IPs) and Community Forest Groups (CFG) to the National Follow-Up Committee (CNS) on VPA implementation in Cameroon, which they regularly attend, contribute and feedback resolutions to their various constituencies. Their capacity is built on an ongoing basis by Centre pour l’Environnement et le Développement (CED) and FODER. Very regular sensitisations on the VPA and feedback sessions have also been organised, with close to 800 IPs reached. The momentum and dynamism observed amongst civil society platforms in Cameroon and CAR during negotiations has been maintained with strong engagement during implementation under the leadership of Centre pour l’Information Environnementale et le Développement Durable (CIEDD) and CAR. This is evidenced by various contributions to ongoing reform processes in Cameroon such as the implementation of transparency annexes and issues around conversion timber in Cameroon. In CAR, there has been excellent engagement by Civil Society Organisations (OSCs) led by CIEDD, Maison de l’Enfant et de la Femme Pygmées (MEFP) and Forest Peoples’ Programme (FPP) with the country’s national transitional council (CNT), ensuring that the voice and concerns of IPs with regards to community rights, tenure, transparency, etc. are integrated into the new draft country constitution. Legal and technical support from FERN, CIDT and FPP ensured that contributions were based on well-grounded legal arguments and priorities of communities. Innovative and strong coordination between the project partners, FPP and Rainforest Foundation United Kingdom (RFUK), led to 23 consultations and close to 2100 IPs involved in identifying priority issues for inclusion in the draft country constitution.

Various capacity needs assessments have been undertaken and a series of high level capacity building events have been delivered in response to the weaknesses and opportunities identified for civil society actors, university lecturers and staff of various Ministries involved in VPA implementation. Cross-country and international experience sharing has been ensured through meetings with partners and the organisation of the African Community Rights Network (ACRN) meetings and a more global Community Rights Network (CRN) Meeting. CIDT, FODER and MEFP have made significant strides to improve forest education curriculum in both countries through revision, updates and introduction of new forest governance teaching modules in academic programmes. FODER continues to carry out independent external forest observation, resulting in denunciation reports submitted to Ministère des Forêts et de la Faune (MINFOF) for action amongst which the commission of joint control missions between FODER and national MINFOF Control Brigade (BNC). CIDT ensured effective project management, monitoring, visibility and day-to-day support to national partners and coordination with international Non Governmental Organisations.

It is important to highlight the fact that these results have been achieved in spite of the security crises in the CAR. The project is grateful for the financial resources provided by the European Commission (EC) and the United Kingdom (UK)’s Department for International Development (DFID) and their flexible approach to delivery in the face of the security context in the CAR.

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2.2. Activities and results

The overall objective of this project is to contribute to the effective implementation of the Voluntary Partnership Agreements (VPA) in Cameroon and Central African Republic. It seeks to contribute to this through:

1. Strong inclusive national VPA processes that guide and frame effective implementation of VPAs in Cameroon and CAR; and

2. Shared regional experiences of how to achieve inclusive negotiations to improve buy-in to implementation.

The specific objective is that civil society organisations’ (CSO) and indigenous peoples’ (IP) capacity is built through contributing to development, implementation and monitoring of VPAs.

The expected results are as follows:

Result 1: Concerns of non-state actors, including recognition of the rights of local communities including IPs, integrated into VPA actions

Result 2: Effective implementation of VPAs, through greater direct input from CSOs to ensure VPAs deliver improved forest governance.

The following sections present the results of the activities realised in 2014 in line with Annex I of this contract.

Main Activity 1.1: Raise awareness of governance aspects of Voluntary Partnership Agreements (VPS) to communities and IPs

1.1.1 Develop tools for awareness raising on the potential of VPAs for communities (animated videos or others)

1.1.1.1 Production of the Story of FLEGT

FERN released the awareness raising tool “the story of FLEGT” in May 2014. It was very well received, with DFID using it at one of their events. Although originally only released in French and English, it was considered so useful that other organisations paid for translations in Laotian, Thai, Vietnamese, Spanish, and Guatemalan Spanish. FODER has further translated the text of the film into five local languages including Baka, Nzime, Badwe’e, Maka and Bulu following the near lack of knowledge about the FLEGT VPA in certain localities of the East and South Regions of Cameroon (see 1.1.2.1). The project has received very positive feedback, including from the University of Colorado which said the film explained in 5 minutes that which would normally take an hour. The University of Leuven (Belgium) also reacted positively to the film.

Results:

1. The English version has been viewed 2,000 times on FERN’s website and 1,400 times on YouTube;

2. The French version has been viewed 750 times on FERN’s website and 283 times on YouTube;

3. The animation has been handed out on more than 300 project branded memory sticks for use throughout Cameroon and CAR where access to the internet is not always possible.

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1.1.1.2 Production of EU FLEGT UPDATES and Forest Watch newsletter

FERN published two updates on FLEGT, giving the situation in all countries involved in or considering a VPA. Three other editions of its EU Forest Watch Newsletter covered the project work by CIEDD and MEFP in the CAR on the state of transparency in the forest sector and on-going work with the national transitional council and parliamentarians to integrate issues concerning community rights, land tenure and transparency into the new country constitution.

Results:

1. Eleven (11) editions of the EU Forest Watch Newsletter produced;

2. EU Forest watch is circulated to 1500 subscribers;

3. The June and November 2014 editions covered the state of the FLEGT VPA processes worldwide;

4. The July, October and December 2014 editions of the Forest Watch Newsletter covered on-going project activities in CAR, Cameroon and Europe;

5. As at December 31, 2014, the five (05) stated editions have the following views online: June issue -6000 times, July - 1125 times, October - 868 times, November - 600 times, and December - 672 times.

1.1.2 Raise awareness of VPA links to forest governance and community priorities

1.1.2.1 Baseline study on the state of knowledge of the VPA and sensitisation campaigns

FODER carried out three joint study and sensitisation missions in Boumba and Ngoko (Yokadouma) and Haut Nyong (Lomie) in the East Region as well as Dja and Lobo and Ocean Divisions in the South Region of Cameroon. Another joint mission with Well Grounded was undertaken to Mayang and Kassarafam in the Haut-Nyond Division as well as Baka and Bagyeli communities in Akom II in the Ocean Division to collect further data and sensitise communities. These missions were also used to assess communication tools and channels as well as problems faced by local forest and IP communities with regards to forest management. Results of these studies show that only 1.2% of local populations, 1.6% of Baka and 6% of local council leaders interviewed know about the VPA.

Field sensitisation missions followed in the Haut-Nyong and Dja and Lobo Divisions and a local community radio has been engaged to disseminate the story of FLEGT. Despite the use of community radio, none of the seven (07) communities2 revisited later had been reached by the story of FLEGT radio programme. Positive feedback was received from listeners in the Central town of Lomie, though. The lack of electricity, radio receivers and timing of the radio programme were cited by Baka and Bantu communities as the limiting factors. In order to respond to the weaknesses identified above, a pilot radio listening session of the Story of FLEGT was organised in the Abakoum Baka community using a loud speaker system. This proved to be very well received by the community and requests for more of such sessions were made to the project team.

Results:

1. Baseline study on the state of knowledge of the FLEGT VPA and links to livelihoods implemented;

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2. Baseline report produced and one (01) article on the state of knowledge about the FLEGT VPA produced and disseminated online and at national forest governance forum3 to at least 100 organisations;

3. Two thousand three hundred and twenty seven (2327) IPs leaders (village heads, notables, leaders of community forests, local forest community and IP leaders, leaders of local forest committees) aware of the importance of the VPA and their role in its implementation;

4. Story of FLEGT translated into five local languages and diffused over KUL MELAB Community radio in Lomie.

1.1.3 Create sustainable communication mechanisms for exchange of information from local communities to National CS Platform and NMC and explore how these can be developed and strengthened with IP communities.

1.1.3.1 How to feed in concerns of IPs and IP groups in to CNS, JMS meetings and feedback resolutions to communities?

In Cameroon, CED and FODER undertook a preliminary assessment to identify existing mechanisms and practices of communication between different societal actors and IPs groups through consultation of various project reports, a critical review of literature and drawing from their long standing experience of working with the Baka and the Bagyeli on forestry issues in Cameroon. Five (05) FLEGT/VPA project4 documents related to communications with IPs were reviewed, different communications tools identified and analysed based on their strengths, weaknesses and the capacity of IPs to appropriate the tools.

A draft communications mechanism was developed and discussed with IP associations and NGOs. Key aspects of this mechanism include:

How to collect information and concerns from communities;Analysis of the information and concerns collected and development of positions;Presentation of concerns and positions during CNS meetings;Translation of resolutions into simple formats for restitution by representatives with the support of CED and FPP;Restitution of resolutions to Réseau Recherches Actions Concertées Pygmées (RACOPY);Restitution by representatives to at least two other communities;Restitution via community radio and other local media outlets were possible.

CED held two meetings with IP associations and their leaders on the side-lines of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) meeting in May 2014 in Kribi and the RACOPY general assembly meeting held in June 2014 to share, update and finalise the communications document. In addition to the document, CED will continue to work with IP leaders and communities to develop a complementary VPA picture guide to support representatives’ efforts to inform their constituencies about ongoing reform processes

Results:

1. An operational communications mechanism in place;2. Report of communications mechanism produced;

3 Organised under the CIDT led Strengthening African Forest Governance in Yaounde 20144 Projet PDFC implemented by Nature Plus, Increasing FLEGT in the Congo Basin implemented by FCTV, Renforcement du suivi et la participation des communautes implemented by FODER, A strong seat at the table, making forests transparent both implemented by FERN and CED in Cameroon

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3. Simple picture guide on the VPA produced.

In CAR, the Gestion Durable des Ressources Naturelles et de l’Environnement (GDRNE) platform developed a draft communications mechanism which was presented to IP and local forest community leaders for debate and adoption. A national workshop was organised attended by sixty (60) participants from the national technical secretary of the VPA in CAR, GDRNE platform members, IP and LFC leaders and academics. The objective of the workshop was to propose and debate on a new communications mechanism to improve experience and information sharing between communities and different actors involved in the implementation of the FLEGT VPA in CAR.

Results:

1. One (01) reflection workshop conducted (report available);2. One (01) communications strategy document adopted;3. Sixty (60) participants have ownership over communications mechanism developed.

The key challenge now is to apply and monitor how this mechanism is implemented in practice and to facilitate knowledge sharing between actions in Cameroon and the CAR. Reflections are underway to build a network of community radio stations to provide communication support between local and national level actors.

1.1.4 Facilitate forest communities and IP groups to feed-in to relevant national reform and VPA implementation processes, CSO platforms and NMCs and disseminate information at community level

1.1.4.1 Feed in/Feedback on their leadership activities to other IPOs and dissemination of information

A number of meeting events were organised in different communities following IPO and community forest leaders’ participation in different processes and committees. The objectives of the meetings were to inform communities about their activities in the CNS and resolutions as well as to collect information about their concerns for the next meeting.

The first set of meetings was organised following the CNS meeting of 16 th of April, 2014 (see table below).

IPO leader events Cameroon:

Location Number of participantsBIDOU – Fifinda Division 103NYABITANDE – Akom Division 57Bosquet and ABAKOUM 305RACOPY General assembly 36Total 501

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1. Five hundred and one (501) IPs and their leaders aware of the resolutions of the CNS and other meetings attended;

2. The role and mandate of IP representatives legitimised and strengthened.

Community forestry representative events:

Following the 4th and 5th CNS meeting, FODER provided support to the Groupement des Forets Communautaires (GFC) representative to prepare a report for his constituency.

Results:

1. Two meeting reports produced;

2. Twenty (20) copies of feedback meeting reports distributed to community forest leaders in 6 communities5.

Main activity 1.2: Develop mechanisms toward improved representation of communities, IPs and explore engagement with informal timber trade sector representatives (Cameroon) in the VPA process

The objective of the activity is to provide space and opportunity for these groups to influence VPA implementation meaningfully and ensure that their rights and livelihoods are improved. The action seeks to build effective mechanisms to ensure that consultation continues and that positions developed by CS are effectively presented to the government through the national VPA committees and the national media.

1.2.1 Provide organizational support to LCs and IPs groups, facilitate selection of representatives from established structures and train them to ensure effective representation and participation

1.2.1.1 Selection of IPs forest representatives to VPA Implementation committees in Cameroon

It is estimated that there are up to 75 000 IPs in the two project countries; therefore, putting in place a mechanism to select a single representative to the committees is a major challenge in the short term. In Cameroon, this is made even more difficult because the four main groups (Bagyeli, Baka, Bakola and Bedzang) are very diverse and very geographically dispersed which further complicates the task. CED and FPP continued to work with OKANI and RACOPY to fill the IP seat at the table. While construction of a national system of representation continues, project partners and IPO leaders within RACOPY, came to the conclusion that it will be useful to have two provisional representatives (one representative and an observer) in the CNS instead of just one as outlined in the internal rules and regulations of the committee in the short term. The aim was to ensure continued representation of IPs in the committees in case either of the representatives was unable to attend.

To avoid recreating the wheel, CED led a reflection in February 2014 with IP organisations and leaders focused on the analysis and evaluation of existing mechanisms of representation and made contributions to the analysis realised by FPP6 with regards to the representation of Pygmees in Cameroon. Project partners have realised that it is better to build on existing representational structures as opposed to trying to recreate a national structure from scratch.

Results:

5 Avan, Minko’o, Akontangan, Djop, Nkan, Djouze6 FPP currently has an ongoing ENTRP Project specifically focused on representation of IPs in the Congo Basin

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1. Strengths and weaknesses of existing representational structures were analysed and documented; and

2. An analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the NESDA7 project experience with Pygmees was undertaken.

Following these analyses, a decision was made to elect two representatives from the RACOPY network which makes up the largest group of IPOs in Cameroon. CED, FPP, OKANI and RACOPY will continue to work towards wider and inclusive national representative structures in the long term.

1.2.1.2 Selection of community forest representatives to VPA Implementation committees

Decree No 126 CAB/PM, article 3 of the 10 th of September 2012 authorising the creation of the CNS in Cameroon, allocated a seat for a representative from the federation of community forests “Groupement des forets communautaires” (GFC). Selection of the representative was already done by the GFC before the project. FODER’s efforts were directed towards improving the quality of participation of the elected representative.

Modification: There are no seats allocated to IPs and IFCs in national VPA implementation committees in the CAR. The process was suspended for the most part during the security crises. However, the process was restarted during the last quarter of the year 2014. The civil society platform has just started work on the topic given the re-launch of discussions between the EU and the government of the CAR.

1.2.2 Facilitate/lobby for integration of IP and LC representatives in the national platform and inclusion in Cameroon and CAR NMCs

1.2.2.1 Actions to integrate and recognise IP representatives into the CCMO8 and CCMOS9 in CAR

With discussions re-launched between the EU and the government in CAR, CIEDD led a meeting with GDRNE at World Wide Fund for Nature office in Bangui. This meeting was attended by thirty five (35) members of the platform to discuss the opportunities offered by the re-launch of discussions and to identify opportunities and strategies for the CS. The platform agreed a delegation of seven (07) members and the key lobbying concerns of CS when discussions start. With a project led position note10 has already been submitted by GDRNE platform to the EC and to the government expressing the need for effective participation of IPs and LFCs within the national VPA implementation committees.

1.2.2.2 Actions to integrate and recognise IP representatives into the CNS in Cameroon

Following on from 1.2.1 above, CED and partners led a series of high level meetings with MINFOF in order to present the case for two IP representatives to fill the seat allocated to them in the CNS. The project continued to provide financial and technical support to IP associations and their representatives to participate in quarterly ECFP platform meetings.

Results:

1. Two representatives recognised by MINFOF and integrated into the CNS. They participated in the 02 CNS meetings organised in 2014;

7 Project implemented by OKANI to elaborate a national representation mechanism for Bagyeli and Bakola communities in Ocean Division8 Comité Conjoint de Mise en Œuvre9 Comité National de Mise en Œuvre et de Suivi 10 http://loggingoff.info/sites/loggingoff.info/files/NOTE%20DE%20POSITION%20DE%20LA%20SOCIETE%20CIVILE%20%20%20CENTRAFRICAINE.docx%29%29%29%29%29%29%29%29%29.pdf

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http://loggingoff.info/sites/loggingoff.info/files/NOTE%20DE%20POSITION%20DE%20LA%20SOCIETE%20CIVILE%20%20%20CENTRAFRICAINE.docx))))))))).pdf


2. During this period, IPO leaders also identified two community radios (Beach FM in Kribi and Radio Nkul Melam in Lomie) and were able to convince them to provide space for IPs to communicate and share information about their concerns and on the VPA. CED will support the IP leaders and the community radio to develop a sequence of slots which will be animated by IPO leaders in 2015;

3. Four (04) representatives from IPOs attend the ECFP platform meetings regularly. By so doing representatives are able to relay concerns from communities into platform meetings and reform proposals, build capacities, improve capacities to speak in public and legitimise their roles/mandates.

The project provides logistic and financial assistance to IP representatives to attend other relevant meetings. During the first year of the project, the representatives took part in two other meetings:

Tripartite meeting between the administration, forest and mining enterprises and local forest and Bantou communities from the 07-11 November 2014. The objective of this meeting was to discuss various complaints against private sector companies brought to the attention of the administration by the Bagyeli community notably with regards to the poor implementation of management plans, the lack of consideration of the needs of the community, non-respect of the implementation calendar and non-respect of IPs labour rights; and

Meeting to validate natural resource maps for Bagyeli communities around the Campo M’AAN national park on the 16th of October 2014.

1.2.2.3 Needs assessment

In order to provide formal capacity building to IPs, CED carried out a capacity needs assessment to evaluate the level of understanding of the VPA by IPO leaders between the 25 th

and 26th of May in Kribi through focus group discussions. Participants came from BACUDA, ADEBAGO, CODEBABY IP associations and representatives from CAMPO LOKOUNE and SOCAPALM. A discussion guide developed by CED and two (02) IP representatives to the CNS was used to animate discussions which focused on:

Their knowledge of the FLEGT VPA Their understanding of how the FLEGT VPA was related to their livelihoods Representation and whether they were aware of the processes and their roles in the

CNSIt emerged from these discussions that IP leaders had very limited understanding of these issues and it has been suggested that the project should develop an animated picture guide on the VPA for IP leaders.

Result:

1. Capacity needs assessment realised and report produced

1.2.2.4 Training, coaching and mentoring support to representatives on the VPA and on their roles

Continuous mentoring and coaching is being provided by CED and FODER to support IP and community forest representatives to prepare, participate and communicate meeting resolutions to other IPOs and community forest constituencies.. In practice CED and FODER project officers spend time before CNS meetings to discuss the meeting agenda, put together concerns collected from communities and to brief them on key VPA issues and trends. With regards to restitution to constituencies, the approach is to have a debrief with the project officers together with the ECFP representative in the CNS during which the resolutions are

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discussed in general as well as specific issues of concern to IPs and community forests. Work is done to develop the message and the channels to be used to provide feedback to constituencies.

Results:

1. Four (04) preparatory meetings held with IP representatives in view of their participation in CNS, JIC and other events;

2. Minutes of preparatory meetings produced;3. A strategy to feedback meeting resolutions in place.

IP leaders understandably still face many difficulties to improve the quality of their participation and communications with constituencies.

Learning about the functioning of the CNS and how it operates has meant that they have struggled to be heard during meetings. This is particularly the case for IP representatives because they assumed that they would be given preferential treatment during the meetings because of their status. They have quickly realised that the CNS is a place for different stakeholders to defend their interests;

Members of the RACOPY network should facilitate relay of information to their respective communities. It appears that the lack of understanding of the VPA and how it translates to their livelihoods means that it is difficult for them to play this role;

In addition and related to (b) above, communities are far apart and geographical dispersed making coverage a major challenge. The project will continue to work in 2015 to address these issues. A key aspect in 2015, is to work with community radio to attain far to reach communities.

Building on the capacity needs assessment realised in 1.2.2.3 and the limited experiences of IP representatives and other leaders, a capacity building event on the VPA was delivered for leaders of IPOs in Cameroon

1.2.2.5 Integration of concerns of IPs and GFC representatives into VPA implementation committees

Through the communications mechanism that has been put in place within the project, IP and GFC representatives are now able to collect and assemble concerns from their constituencies which they can bring to the attention of the VPA implementation committees. This enables communities to use the VPA as a lever to improve forest governance and ensure that their concerns are taken into consideration.

Results:

During the CNS meeting of the 28th of November, 2014 the following concerns were brought to the table by IP representatives:

Since 2011, communities such as AKANGA have not received any share of annual payments of forest royalties/fees and do not have any information with regards to future payments; and

For other Baka communities in Lomie, they have no understanding of how the annual forest royalties system operates since the system of local development committees (comite riverains) was put in place. They also do not know how to become part of the committees.

A resolution was taken on the issue of representation in the “comité riverain”. The representatives were requested to do an assessment with respect to the state of representation of IPs in these committees in line with the government decree 0076 and

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identify the different weaknesses with the decree. This assessment was undertaken in the OCEAN and LOMIE division between the 05th and the 12th of December, 2014. The report for OCEAN has been produced pending that of the LOMIE division. CED will continue to support the IP leaders to complete this task in time for the next CNS meeting.

Transparency annex and information made public – on this issue, IPO leaders have made the point that making information accessible to local communities online is a mistake given their low levels of literacy and lack of access to the internet. They have proposed that a printed information guide which describes the different types of information to be made public should be produced; describing where to access the information and the procedures required accessing them. A resolution was made during the CNS meeting of the 28th November, 2014, to explore the issue further.

As for the GFC, FODER provided support to the community forest representative to write a letter addressed to the president of the CNS. The objective of the letter was to include an item in the agenda of the 5th CNS meeting regarding alleged cases of illegality by the forest exploitation company ETS LA SOCAMBA observed by the GFC. Other cases related to the non-respect of procedures by decentralised officials of MINFOF in the delivery of transportation letters from the community forest of GIC MAD have also been documented. Following recommendations of the president of the CNS during the meeting of the 28th of November, 2014, FODER has provided further support to document the cases of illegality identified and to compile the history of complaints already brought to the attention of sub divisional delegate of Djoum and MINFOF.

The results obtained through the CNS: Three (03) denunciation reports deposited at the services of the Djoum Sub Divisional

Office and MINFOF Three (03) joint control missions to the area by FODER and the National Control Brigade

control of MINFOF.

Main activity 1.3: Support for CS platforms (including IP and communities) to play an effective role in VPA implementation

The action seeks to reinforce the institutional and organisational capacities of national CS coalitions, improving their ability to engage meaningfully in VPA implementation as well as related national legal reforms.

1.3.1 Establish project links with VPA CS platform concerns, jointly assessing priority issues, roles for CS in VPA implementation

CED coordinates the civil society platform in Cameroon. This was very useful to establish the link between the project and the platform. CIEDD coordinated the platform in the CAR up to May 2014 when the coordination unit of the platform was renewed. It continues to play a lead role in CS actions in the country providing technical and financial support to the platform.

In Cameroon, the platform identified the following issues as priority for CS during the platform meetings in February and March 2014:

Land tenure and forest reformsForest and environmental governanceIndigenous peoples rightsCapacity building and information sharing

In CAR, the national society platform through the leadership of CIEDD agreed that the key priority for 2014 will be to work on the new country constitution to ensure inclusion of provisions on indigenous peoples rights, land tenure and resource transparency. It was felt that CAR CSOs had a

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window of opportunity to contribute to governance measures that could be critical in reshaping the countries ravaged forest sector. This opportunity emerged following calls by the national transition council (CNT)11 for all national stakeholder groups to contribute towards the drafting of the new country’s constitution.

With some relative calm returning to the CAR, the GDRNE platform held a meeting with the EC delegation to exchange and share ideas about the possible relaunch of VPA implementation activities on the 22nd of November, 2014.

The meeting was also used as an avenue to draw the attention of the commission about CS concerns in view of the upcoming partners meeting of the 5 th of December, 2014. Following the meeting of the 22nd, the platform organised a national meeting at the Centre Monseigner Joseph Cucherousset in Bangui to adopt a common position and agree on priority issues and concerns to be presented during the Comité Conjoint de Mise en Oeuvre (CCMO) CCMO meeting of the 5th of December, 2014. The meeting concluded with the adoption of a position note highlighting the key priorities. Amongst these issues were calls for effective participation of all stakeholders groups especially IPs and local forest communities during implementation, the launch of the Bêkou Fund of the EU, the attribution of forest exploitation permits during the crises amongst others.

1.3.2 Assess and review implementation of commitments taken by governments in VPA

The ECFP platform in Cameroon made contributions towards government’s efforts to implement the transparency annex especially with regards to the publication of forestry information on its website as agreed within the transparency annex. The position paper produced by the ECFP platform in March 2014 entitled « Note de commentaires Relative à la mise en ligne de certaines informations forestières dans le cadre de la mise en oeuvre de l’Annexe 7 de l’APV-FLEGT12 » provided an analysis of the progress made, identified gaps and weakness and made recommendations.

In CAR, the GDRNE platform also produced a position note13 following initial discussions between the government and the European Union to restart discussions about the FLEGT VPA following a period of relative calm in the country. The position note questioned the commitment by the parties to ensure active participation of all stakeholders in the process especially indigenous peoples and local forest communities. It deplored the total lack of transparency in the attribution of three (03) exploitation titles14 during the crisis and the risk posed by the domestic timber and Asian markets for effective implementation of the VPA. This position note followed an earlier study on the state of implementation of different engagements taken within the VPA. Results of the study showed that the road maps developed for VPA implementation in the CAR were inappropriate and inadequate to take the process forward highlighting capacity weaknesses of the national VPA implementation committees. The political instability/will coupled with the lack of technical and financial resources were all identified as potential risks to the VPA implementation in the CAR.

FERN compiled a paper on the implementation of the transparency commitments embedded in the VPAs. The paper provides an analysis of transparency commitments in the five African VPAs countries including Cameroon, Central African Republic, Ghana, Liberia and Republic of Congo. It also looks at implementation from a civil society perspective. The paper provides recommendations

11 The CNT is a legislative arm of government set up following the dissolution of the parliament during the security in the CAR12http://loggingoff.info/sites/loggingoff.info/files/Note%20de%20commentaire%20Annexe%207%20ECFP%20FINALE.pdf 13 http://loggingoff.info/sites/loggingoff.info/files/NOTE%20DE%20POSITION%20DE%20LA%20SOCIETE%20CIVILE%20%20%20CENTRAFRICAINE.docx%29%29%29%29%29%29%29%29%29.pdf14 http://loggingoff.info/sites/loggingoff.info/files/OBSERVATION%20PEA%20Jean%20Jacques%20MATHAMALE.pdf

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for strengthening of forest sector transparency, drawing on civil society experiences and stressing their unique value and role in improving forest governance. Translation of the paper in French and dissemination of the paper through relevant websites, mailing lists and FERN’s newsletter is envisaged in early 2015 to ensure that recommendations and lessons learnt can feed into the FLEGT Action Plan review and practices in countries implementing or negotiating VPAs.

FERN carried out lobby work targeting the EU asking to address the problem of illegal conversion timber in Cameroon. FERN’s lobby work led to illegal conversion now being part of the VPA implementation debate in Cameroon and beyond. FERN has also discussed the impact of VPA monitoring obligations with the European Forest Institute (EFI) and CSOs.

1.3.3 Develop strategy to implement the VPA transparency annex in CAR (establish a baseline) and Cameroon for forest sector incorporating anti-corruption actions.

This action will be developed following publication of the studies commissioned in 2014 (see 1.3.2 and 1.3.4).

1.3.4 Report in Cameroon covering implementation of transparency annex as well as illegal logging

Related to 1.3.2 above, this activity was planned for the end of the year 2014. Two consultants were commissioned to carry out a study on the topic and the report will be published in the early part of 2015. One of the reports will focus on the transparency annex and the second will assess the trends in the levels of corruption in the forest sector. It is important to note that the CED and CEEAC carried out an earlier study on the state of implementation of the transparency annex in the CEEAC region covering the year 2013. The EUCFPR study will furnish evidence of the country’s progression towards the full implementation of this very important annex of the VPA.

In CAR, CIEDD has also commissioned a national study on the state of transparency in the forest sector pre-post the security crisis. Five (05) members of the national civil society platform have successfully delivered a first draft of the report. A final report will be published and widely disseminated in 2015.

1.3.5 Document lessons learned and case studies on VPA implementation

Given the large amount of written material already available focusing on forest governance, the project has concentrated on specific areas such as the transparency paper (see 1.3.2 and 1.3.4) and producing visual material. As such, the animation the Story of FLEGT includes a case study from Cameroon. FERN is also working on two other films; the Story of Consumption which outlines the impact of consumption patterns especially in the North on illegal logging in the south. The new video will be published in the first semester of 2015.

Another video script is under development by CIDT, FERN and CIEDD focused on capturing the successful experience of the national civil society platform and international partners in CAR to work with the national transition council, parliament and the government to integrate concerns and issues of rights of local forest communities and IPs in the new country constitution.

The coordination of national organisations involved in independent forest observation (RC-OIE) and the ECFP platform in Cameroon has already produced and disseminated a lesson learning document about independent external forest monitoring. The document entitled “Les 11 leçons de OIE 15”

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http://loggingoff.info/sites/loggingoff.info/files/11_le%C3%A7ons_finalis%C3%A9es%20version%20finale..pdf

captures the experiences of national civil society organisations in the area of independent forest observation and details best practices.

A key publication is also underway with the University of Dschang Cameroon (Departments of Forestry and Social Sciences), to capture the state of policy and practice of forest governance in the Congo Basin. This publication will document best practices as well as identify lessons learnt in the sub region with regards to design and implementation of forest governance policies. A call for chapters to the publication will be launched in the first part of 2015.

Main activity 1.5: VPA implementation and Rights Training courses

1.5.1 Review and update training needs assessment for Cameroon (EU Strengthening African Forest Governance (SAFG) Project) and assess training needs in CAR

1.5.1.1 Strengths, Weakness, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) Analysis of CS Platforms

CIDT designed and mailed out questionnaires to the seventy (70) organisations which make up the two civil society platforms in CAR and CMR. Twenty seven (27) organisations in Cameroon and twenty one (21) organisations in CAR completed the exercise and the results were compiled, translated and analysed. A platform level assessment was also achieved through focus group discussions during the ECFP platform meeting of the 24th of March 2014 in Cameroon which was also attended by members of the GDRNE platform from the CAR.

Results:

Capacity needs assessment report produced reveals that in both countries, CSOs are struggling with financial constraints or unsustainable financing, with both being cited most frequently as weaknesses or threats for organisations. The analysis also suggests that in Cameroon, CSOs might have a greater capacity than their counterparts in CAR in project coordination and management but that they lack technical skills and detailed knowledge of certain aspects linked to forest governance. Whilst the general skills gaps cited by Cameroon CSOs might include insufficient skills in fundamental areas such as project coordination, capacity building in areas such as project cycle management may be beneficial. The project will focus capacity building activities in Cameroon on technical aspects such as information technology, (e.g. word processing, Excel, internet searches etc) and GIS and on thematic aspects linked to forest governance such as FLEGT, land tenure and mining.

In CAR, the priority capacity building areas according to this analysis seem to be more linked to project management skills than thematic knowledge. The analysis also reveals that the most important needs at platform level are; (1) project design and proposal writing/resources mobilisation; (2) organisational and institutional development – leadership, strategy, vision, processes…); (3) forest governance; and (4) resource mapping and geographic information systems. In addition to this assessment, other issues and needs are identified as opportunities emerge during project implementation. The following are some examples of needs assessments undertaken during the first year of the project.

1.5.1.2 Cameroon CSO Platforms Media skills assessments

During a trip in November, FERN assessed the platform’s needs with regards to media skills. The platform expressed a lot of interest in the organisation of a media training similar to the one FERN organised in Kribi which was part of another ENRTP Project “Linking FLEGT and REDD”.

1.5.1.3 Forest Revenue Collectors (Controleurs des revenus Forestiers), Magistrates and Councillors

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CED designed and administered questionnaires to senior staff in the “Programme de Securisation des Recettes Forestiers (PSRF)”, Juges and Magistrates during the second semester of 2014. Given their important role in improving forest governance in Cameroon, the needs assessment was to evaluate their understanding of ongoing reform processes, rights of forest communities and their understanding of their role in the different processes.

1.5.1.4 Consultation and evaluation of capacity needs of MINFOF staff on various legal procedures and the LAS, 10 days, 07th – 10th and 13th -17th October 2014

Two joint missions were undertaken by MINFOF and FODER staff in October 2014, to the South West, Littoral and South Regions of Cameroon to evaluate capacity building needs of MINFOF decentralised staff with regards to the implementation of the ministerial circular N o 0147 and No 0924 regarding public auctions of confiscated timber, or timber obtained from conversion resulting from major development projects. The south west, littoral and south regions of Cameroon were selected because they have the highest number of major development projects characterised by high levels of forest clearing. Most of the timber from these projects also transits through these regions to the port of Douala where it is exported to foreign markets. Conversion timber is major problem in these areas and has already been identified as a risk with the potential to undermine the FLEGT VPA. It is to be noted that the issue of conversion timber is not dealt with in the Cameroon-EU VPA agreements. Given the significant role of decentralised administrations in the implementation of Cameroon’s LAS, sixteen (16)16 regional delegates, the head of the east regional brigade, six (6)17 divisional delegates and their collaborators were invited to participate in the needs assessment study.

The study revealed that those interviewed were aware of the ministerial note cited above but the application of the text was not at all uniform across the different regions and therefore likely to create confusion and undermine the LAS or the implementation of the legal procedures. In addition, the study revealed that about fifty percent (50%) of those interviewed were not fully aware of the VPA and up to seventy percent (70%) did not have full mastery of Cameroon’s Legality Assurance System (LAS) nor the processes underway to develop one. Delegates and staff interviewed from decentralised MINFOF offices expressed the need to harmonise their practices, share experiences and build their capacities further on the FLEGT VPA process and the LAS.

1.5.2 Deliver training design and training of trainers courses

1.5.1.1 Training of lecturers of forestry training institutions

A training workshop on education for improving forest governance took place at the international hall of the University of Dschang, Cameroon, for 35 participants including twenty six (26) lecturers over 5 days, from 10th to 14th November 2014. The workshop objective was to explore the implications of the growing prominence of natural resource governance and specifically forest governance for curricula and approaches to teaching and learning in Higher Education. The programme was structured as follows:

Days 1 - 2: Forest Governance Issues, Debates and Challenges Day 3: Approaches to Teaching and Learning in the University Day 4: Observing and Reflecting on the Learning Process: choosing teaching strategies Day 5: Session and task design: application of learning

16 From the South, Littoral and South Regions17 Koupé Manengouba (Bangem - Sud-ouest), de la Sanaga – Maritime (Edéa – Littoral), de l’Océan (Kribi – Sud), de la Vallée du Ntem (Ambam – Sud), du Dja et Lobo (Sangmélima – Sud) et du Lom et Djérem (Bertoua – Est)

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Results:

1. Twenty six (26) lecturers effectively trained

2. Workshop report produced

Way forward:

Support the publication of a book on forest policy theory and practice in the Congo Basin with the University of Dschang, Cameroon ;

Organise future trainings focused on curriculum development for the current cohort of trained lecturers;

Repeat the training for lecturers with more than five years of experience in 2015; FODER to provide opportunities for forestry students to research forest governance subjects; Continue to assist lecturers to review modules and develop new ones; Organise thematic trainings for lecturers to improve technical knowledge based on need; Explore and share experiences with the University of Dschang with regards to pedagogy training

for newly recruited lecturers.

1.5.2 Deliver a programme of bespoke training to national stakeholders (including judges, police, forest revenue controllers, Informal timber trade sector representatives and magistrates)

1.5.2.1 Training of Forest Revenue Controllers

A sensitisation and reflection workshop and the role of senior staff of the PSRF Cameroon took place at the Hotel Serena Douala for seventeen (17) participants (08 PRSF staff, 02 MINFOF, 4 OSC and 3 Media) over 2 days, on 15th -16th December, 2014.

The main objectives of this event were to improve awareness amongst senior staff of the PRSF Programme on the FLEGT VPA and on their role within the process especially with regards to control and management of forest revenues. More specifically to:

Train them on the FLEGT VPA and their roles; Reflect on the challenges faced in the execution of their duties and impacts on the effective

implementation of the VPA; and Identify possible solutions and opportunities to improve on their roles and play a more effective

role in the VPA.

The following recommendations were made after the training: To continue to build the capacities of forest revenue collectors on the subject of forest

governance; and To expand the training to order related sectors such as customs, commerce and export given

that they are involved along the commercialisation chain.

Results:1. Seventeen (17) participants effectively trained, understand and aware of the importance

of their roles with VPA implementation;2. Training modules developed and distributed to participants;3. Workshop report written and available.

1.5.2.2 Training of Indigenous Peoples ‘ Organisations leaders on the VPA

A VPA training workshop took place at Hotel Fidelie, Kribi, for twenty five (25) participants over 2 days, on 21st -22nd December, 2014.

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The workshop was organised following the capacity needs assessment carried out in the Bagyeli, Baka and Bakola communities during the first semester. The main objective of this workshop was to improve the implication of IPs in the implementation of the VPA. More specifically:

To improve understanding of the FLEGT VPA process and their role in its implementation;To evaluate the communications strategy developed at the beginning of the year;To identify challenges towards effective engagement; andTo identify feasible strategies and courses of action for improved engagement in implementation

Participants were drawn from the following IPOs; BACUDA, OKANI, CADDAP, BUMA, KPODE, ABAGUINI, ABWONI, ADEBAKA, ASBAK, ADEBAGOA, CODEBABI as well as other resource persons from other IP communities.

Results:

1. Twenty five (25) IP leaders effectively trained and more aware about the VPA and their role in its implementation and monitoring

A number of recommendations were made following the event:

To summarise and translate the FLEGT VPA agreement into a simple and accessible guide for IPs and IPOs;

To train IP leaders and IPOs on external forest observation so that they can be able to identify and denounce cases of illegality;

To continue coaching, mentoring and training on other issues such as forest royalties, reforestation, exercise of their rights and dynamics of the domestic market.

1.5.2.3 Training of Judges and Magistrates

CED carried out a capacity needs assessment in the East region of Cameroon between the 11 th and 16th November, 2014. Questionnaires were administered to Magistrates and councillors and discussions held with authorities in order to understand the procedures required to organise training for staff of the Ministry of Justice. Following the administrative process, the Ministry of Justice and Keeper of the Seals authorise the holding of the training event for its senior staff in the Eastern Region of Cameroon - authorisation letter No 13024/MJ/DAG/SDPJ/SFS, date 14 December, 2014. The training event was planned for the 22nd of December but did not go ahead because the National Superior Council of Magistrates was convened by the President on the same date. The training event was rescheduled to the 29th and 30th of January, 2015.

1.5.2.4 Training of Regional and Divisional Delegates of MINFOF

A training and exchange workshop on the LAS and FLEGT VPA took place at the Hotel Le Paradis, in Kribi for twenty four (24) participants over 2 days, on 04 th – 05th December, 2014. The objective of this workshop was to exchange, share and learn about the application of forest legislation and procedures for the attribution of ARB, AEB, and VEP18 of confiscated, recovered or conversion timber derived from major development projects.

Participants to the workshop included regional and divisional delegates, heads of forest and wildlife posts, heads of regional brigades, representatives from the PSRF, the FLEGT VPA Focal Point, the anti-corruption group - Commission Nationale de Lutte Anticorruption (CONAC) and FODER. The topics covered during the workshop included:

The FLEGT VPA;

18 Autorisation de Récupération des Bois, Autorisation d’Enlèvement des Bois, et Vente aux Enchères Publiques des bois saisis of 54

The national LAS system and state of implementation;Roles and responsibilities within VPA implementation and monitoring.

Results:

1. Twenty four (24) participants effectively aware of the FLEGT VPA, the LAS system

2. Documentation provided to trained participants on the VPA, the Legality Assurance System (LAS), Règlement sur le Bois de l’Union Européenne (RBUE) , anti-corruption and different legal texts for the forest sector

1.5.2.5 “Evaluating investments: legal and good governance considerations”: Training at Kumba for approximately 50 participants from 23-27 September 2014

This was a legal training provided for chiefs and community members from several communities affected by the Herakles palm oil development in south-western Cameroon. This training involved one day of discussions with community representatives, based in particular on maps of their territories completed with the participation of CED earlier this year, two days of legal training on international standards pertinent to land ownership/land rights, social, economic and environmental assessment, and consultation and consent processes (i.e. FPIC), and a further day of community group discussions. The workshop – which was not focussed specifically on the Herakles project but rather on the broader question of community participation in projects on their traditionally-held lands – culminated in the participants instigating and adopting a resolution entitled the “Green City Resolution19”. Following the training week a further strategy meeting was held to discuss future work in the area. This activity was undertaken together with several local partners, including CED, and was co-funded with other projects being undertaken by FPP.

Main activity 1.6: Organisational development courses for national CS platforms and local partners

The objective of this activity is to improve CSO operational and managerial capacities in terms of transparency in the management of resources, financial stability, planning, implementation of actions, and monitoring and evaluation.

1.6.1 Organise project proposal writing workshop

Project design and proposal writing workshops: Hotel Ntoungou for 24 participants x 4 days, 09 th -12 June, 2014 (CAR)

This capacity building event was organised in response to results of 1.5.1. Sixty six (66) organisations from CAR and CMR applied to attend training workshops, forty four (44) were selected and effectively trained (CMR, 24; CAR, (20). These workshops delivered in collaboration with the EU FAO FLEGT Programme. Participants were trained on the following issues: Dos and don’ts of project proposal design and writing; Project identification and justification; Problem and objective analysis; Stakeholder analysis; Intervention logic and the logical framework; Risks and assumptions and budgeting.

Results:

1. Forty four (44) organisations effectively trained;2. Three (03) concept notes were preselected by the EU FAO FLEGT Programme;

19 http://www.forestpeoples.org/sites/fpp/files/news/2014/09/KUMBA%20RESOLUTIONS%2023&_.pdf

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3. Mentoring support was provided to organisations to develop and submit full proposals;

4. None of three projects financed at the end of the selection process;5. Hundred percent of participants satisfied or very satisfied with the training event.

Quotes from workshop participants

1.6.2 Organise financial management and EC reporting procedures training for local partners

1.6.2.1 Training of project staff on financial management and EC reporting procedures: Toungou Hotel, 19 participants for two days, 31st March to 01 April, 2014

Workshop facilitated by EC consultant – Rosine Yobo, Project manager and Quality assurance officer of the University of Wolverhampton. The objective was to improve financial and transparent management of project resources, improve organisational development of project partner organisations and reduce financial management risks. Topics covered included:

Understanding the contract;EU fund management and reporting obligations;Financial administration, templates, procedures for procurement;Partnerships, communications and visibility;Financial reporting.

1.6.3 Organise on the job mentoring

Mentoring support was provided to all technical and administrative project staff. This was done remotely through regular email and skype discussions about project implementation and roles. This also entailed coaching, providing guidance and assistance to partners through project coordination meetings and national field visits.

1.6.4 Platform strengthening and organisational development

Civil society platforms in CAR and CMR were very active during the negotiation phases of the VPA. However, following the signature of the agreements, it was observed that momentum seemed to have declined. The objective of the project is to keep the momentum for change going and to improve civil society participation during implementation in CAR and CMR.

In Cameroon, the first actions of the project were to strengthen the internal dynamics and to reinstate the legitimacy of the platform vis-à-vis other national stakeholders. Internal consultations were led by CED and FODER in order to put in place the coordination unit of the platform. At the end of the consultations, members of the platform reinstated CED to coordinate the activities of the platform. The activities and results of the platforms for 2014 are presented below.

1.6.4.1 1st ECFP Cameroon platform meeting: Hotel Relais Saint Andre, 41 participants x 2days, 03rd – 04th February, 2014,

The objectives of the meeting were to carry out an internal analysis of the platform and explore the grounds for its remobilisation in order to improve on its advocacy efforts towards the recognition and integration of the rights of forest and indigenous peoples in on going reform processes.

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« Ndomba Denis-Lambert: Je faisais partie de cette formation pour la délégation centrafricaine mais elle était superbe et j'en garde encore les bons souvenirs »

« Evariste Mbayelao : Une formation bien taillée pour les professionnels »

Agenda:

Carry out a review of the actions undertaken by the platform with regards to the promotion of the rights of local forest and indigenous peoples communities as well as in the monitoring of VPA implementation;

Put in place the coordination unit of the platform; Adopt internal regulations and put in place a mechanism for representation of the platform; Elaborate an advocacy strategy for the recognition of the ECFP platform as representative of CS

in the national VPA implementation committees.

Results:

1. A review of actions with regards to the revision of the forest law and lessons learnt from independent and external forest monitoring reviewed. Actions for improved participation and recognition of the concerns of different forest and IP communities identified;

2. CED elected to serve as the coordination unit of the platform and the ECFP’s representation mechanism adopted;

3. A draft action plan for 2014 developed;4. The advocacy strategy vis-à-vis authorities to recognise the ECFP as CS representative in

the national implementation committees of the VPA adopted.

1.6.4.2 2nd ECFP platform meeting: Hotel Toungou, 54 participants x 3 days, 24 th-26th March, 2014,

The objective of this meeting was to develop the platform’s strategic and operational plan for 2014.

Agenda:

Finalise and identify priority actions for 2014; Developed the ECFP strategic plan and the operational plan for 2014; Identify capacity building notes of the platform; Coordinate actions between different project partners.

Results:

1. Strategic plan and operational plan effectively developed: key areas of focus:

Monitoring – evaluation of public policies, actions and practices of natural resources governance;

Access to information, communications and exchange between actors on natural resources governance;

Influence policies, actions and practices of decision makers, public and private actors involved in natural resources governance; and

Organisational and institutional development of the platform

2. The vision, mission and strategy of the platform defined and appropriated by all 54 attending members

3. Capacity building needs identified and report written. Key areas include:

Improve and strengthen internal functioning of the platform; Improve internal and external communication of the platform;

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Build organisational and institutional capacities including on resources mobilisation; documentation of lessons learnt and sharing, limited capacities to influence

Put in place an effective monitoring and evaluation and internal control of the platform

4. Priority actions for 2014 identified, documented and finalised.

5. The lesson learning guide « 11 leçons sur l’OE » revised and validated and the dissemination strategy adopted.

1.6.4.3 3rd ECFP Platform meeting: Fidelie Hotel (Kribi), 38 participants x 2 days, 04-05 August, 2014

The objective of this meeting was to monitor and follow up on platform activities for 2014.

Agenda:

Discuss and adopt the charter of the platform and advocacy strategy; Discuss and validate results of various working groups within the platform; Develop the platform’s position with regards to the implementation of the VPA in view of

the CRN meeting as well as challenges identified through the CNS; Prepare for the forest governance forum.

Results :

1. Operational charter of the platform in place and advocacy strategy adopted;2. Position notes on the New forest Inventory Norms (NIEF) and the new forest law

proposed by technical working groups and amended;3. A commission in place to develop themes for the forest governance forum;4. Positions of the platform for the CRN meeting in Brussels defined and adopted.

1.6.4.4 4th ECFP Platform meeting: Hotel FIDELI Kribi , 38 participants x 2 days, 21 st – 22nd

December, 2014

The objective of this meeting was to review 2014 activities, identify lessons learnt and plan for 2015.

Agenda:

Review advocacy actions and others undertaken by the platform; Follow up and feedback on member projects and activities; Identify priority actions and issues to tackle in 2015; Amendment and adoption of platform visibility items.

Results :

1. A review of actions and lessons learnt in 2014 undertaken and documented;2. Review of different platform initiatives undertaken and proposals made for

improved participation of member organisations in the platform dynamics;3. Priority actions for 2015 have been identified;4. The platform has a new name and logo adopted;

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5. Feedback to members from the platform representatives to the CRN meeting in Brussels (October 2014) and CNS meeting (November 2014) done;

6. Feedback from IP representatives on their actions in their communities and the CNS reported.

1.6.4.5 ECFP thematic working Groups

A number of working groups have been put in place to support the advocacy work of the platform. The working objectives are to carry out detailed analysis of various reform processes, identify gaps and make proposals for discussion and adoption by the general assembly of the platform. Four working groups were effectively put in place to work on the following issues during 2014:

Revision of the forest law; New forest inventory norms;

Feedback on the regional study on the state of implementation of the VPA in the Congo Basin;

Implementation of the transparency annex; Organisational and institutional development of the platform: internal charter,

advocacy strategy, visibility and preparation of forest governance forums).

Results:

1. Proposals for reform analysed, submitted, debated and adopted by the platform general assembly;

2. Position notes effectively submitted to relevant stakeholders on the forest law, forest inventory norms, transparency annex, conversion timber, as well as the study on the implementation of the VPA in the Congo Basin;

3. The internal charter, logo, advocacy strategy proposed, debated and adopted by the general assembly of the platform.

1.6.4.6 Strategic planning workshop GDRNE Platform CAR: Salle de Conference de L’ENAM Bangui, 35 participants x 3 days, 18th to 20 December, 2014

This workshop was organised to complete and adopt the strategic lobbying and advocacy plan of the platform developed in October 2014 with funding from WWF CAR.

Results:

1. Strategic development and advocacy plan of the platform finalised;

2. Vision, mission and strategies of the platforms redefined and appropriated by 35 member organisations of the platform;

3. Thematic working groups put in place to focus on key priorities.

Main activity 1.7: Civil society and community participation in legal, policy and institutional reforms relevant to the rights of forest communities and VPA implementation

1.7.1 Identify opportunities and priorities for law reforms, and develop strategies in response to specific reform opportunities (e.g. relating to a particular law reform processes with regards to land, forests or IPs) through national platforms and international partners

In Cameroon, the project focus has been on the ongoing revision of the forestry law as well as the implementation of engagements taken by national stakeholders with regards to the implementation of the FLEGT VPA. In order to play its role effectively, the ECFP platform has identified four key areas of intervention:

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1. Monitoring, evaluation and of public policies, actions and practices related to governance of mines, land and forest resources;

2. Improving access to information, communication and exchanges between actors on the governance of mines, land and forest resources;

3. Influencing public policy actions and practices regarding the governance of mines, land and forest resources;

4. Strengthening the organisational and institutional capacities of the platform.

The ECFP platform finds it hard a find an effective entry point to influence the pending forest and land reforms as information is not available and reform processes seem not to be participatory. In the period of the Action the reforms have made little progress. CSOs fear new laws might come out without proper consultation. The project has highlighted concerns at the EU level and is pushing for them to be addressed as part of the VPA implementation process.

In CAR, the national society platform through the leadership of CIEDD agreed that the key priority for 2014 will be to work on the new country constitution to ensure inclusion of provisions on indigenous peoples rights, land tenure and resource transparency. It was felt that CAR CSOs had a window of opportunity to contribute to governance measures that could be critical in reshaping the countries ravaged forest sector.

This opportunity emerged following calls for contributions to all national stakeholder groups by the national transition council (CNT)20 to contribute towards the writing up of the new country’s constitution. The coordination of the platform led consultation meetings with other networks such as CIONGCA, CEFDHAC, REPALCA, ONE, REFACOF and others (academics, researchers, and lawyers, church leaders…) to ensure coordination of CS actions towards the CNT. Following these meetings, a two day workshop with 27 participants was organised on the 15 th and 16th of April to reflect on the key issues and to draft a position note in view of a wider national meeting on the 17 th and 18th of April.

The 17th and 18th meeting was attended by IP leaders, local forest community leaders, NGOS, civil servants from the central administration, magistrates, members of the CNT, academics, researchers, church leaders and others. The objective was further debate the opportunity provided by the CNT and to exchange with members of the parliamentary group with regards to their expectations. During this meeting the constitutional write up process was presented, the draft position note was debated and updated.

The project provided support to the GDRNE platform to develop its strategic development plan towards the end of the year 2014. The platform’s focus is on three key areas:

1. Forest governance;2. Land resource governance; and 3. Forest communities and IPs rights.

1.7.2 Monitoring participation of communities and CS in governance reforms, and ensuring active consultation and participation of LCs and IPs in VPA governance reforms

Following the position note developed in 1.7.1 above, CIEDD led a series of FPIC missions in collaboration with the High Commissioner21 for Human Rights and Good Governance in CAR. The objective of these field visits were to consult and exchange with IPs and local forest groups with

20 The CNT is a transitional parliamentary unit in CAR21 In charge of overseeing the implementation of the ILO Convention 169 on the rights of indigenous peoples in the RCA.

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regards to ongoing work on the new national constitution and the position note developed during the April meetings.

As part of another EU-funded project, FPP is working with indigenous communities in Cameroon to create their own representative structures, in order to increase the voice of indigenous communities in local, regional and national political processes and decision-making. Close work with CED and RACOPY ensures that project resources are used efficiently towards realising the common objective of having legitimate IP and forest community representatives within national policy/reform implementation organisations.

Results:

Regular information from and consultation with CED and FODER helps FPP to channel resources in a way to best prepare and build capacity amongst the indigenous communities with whom we are working. It also helps sensitise and prepare national civil society for greater direct participation of Cameroon’s indigenous peoples in national processes (rather than mediated through existing NGOs).

We will continue this collaboration in 2015, with the hope of integrating indigenous representatives (or enhancing the capacity and report-back to communities of existing representatives, where appropriate) towards the end of 2015.

1.7.1 Ensuring that all relevant reforms proceed in compliance with the terms and conditions of the VPA and applicable international human rights laws, and that they integrate the concerns of forest communities and CS

1.7.1.1 World Bank Safeguard review

During the course of FPP’s work, it became aware of proposed reforms to the World Bank Safeguards on indigenous peoples which would potentially weaken the protection provided by these safeguards (in particular, by allowing governments to “opt-out” of these safeguards).

Results:

FPP has generated several documents which explain the proposed changes, and has been liaising with local partners in Cameroon, including CED, in relation to the proposals, in order to permit them to participate in proposed consultations with the Bank (which are now scheduled for February 2015), and to engage in national advocacy as and when appropriate.

1.7.1.2 Re-start of the FLEGT VPA process in the CAR

Bilateral meetings were also held with the Forest Unit at the DG Development and geographical desks at the European External Action Service (EEAS) to discuss challenges and opportunities for resuming the VPA process in CAR, the launch of the EU humanitarian Fonds Bêkou and its potential use for furthering forest governance. This is useful as the project starts reflection on exit strategies and follow-on proposals in the CAR.

1.7.2 National level advocacy seeking protection of community rights and guarantees for community and CS participation in reform processes and VPA implementation

1.7.2.1 Mbaiki Consultation workshop CAR: City Council Hall Mbaiki, 60 participants x 3 days, 04-06 August, 2014

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This workshop was organised at the end of the initial consultations process. Participants to this workshop included IP leaders, local forest groups, local council and administrative authorities, youth, women, religious leaders especially the Arch Bishop of Mbaiki, CSOs, forces of law and order, lecturers from l’Institut Supérieur de Développement Rural (ISDR), senior staff from the Ministries of Water and Forest, Agriculture, Finance and Labour.

During these three days, the following topics were covered:

Presentation of the project, its objectives, expected results and activities; The state of implementation of the VPA in RCA; Reforms underway in the country and the opportunities offered by the revision of the

country’s constitution; Presentation of draft Mbaiki Declaration developed following the consultations.

Results:

1. Sixty (60) participants sensitised on the project, the state of implementation of the VPA and reforms underway and opportunities

2. “Declaration de Mbaiki” signed by participants to support the activities of the project regarding integration of their concerns into the new country constitution adopted.

3. One (01) Mission report available4. One (01) workshop report available

1.7.2.2 National FPIC consultations, 23 communities, participation of 2087 IPs and IP leaders

In September 2014, partners and CS platforms in CAR (CIEDD, MEFP, GDRNE, REPALCA, COOPI, ABBL) as well as international partners (CIDT, FERN, FPP, RFUK) observed that the security situation was relatively better and so engaged discussions to coordinate and carry out a wider consultation programme.

In terms of results, twenty three (23) consultations were effectively carried out in the three (03) forest Divisions of the CAR (Lobaye, Sangha Mbaéré and Mambéré Kadei). The following villages took part in the consultations: Gbokoulou, Sibouanga, Wana Pont, Ngoundou, Kenga, Ngouma, Bakourba, Gbangouma, Gouga, Kpéténé, Mobi Mobi, Mossokpo, Ndobo, Sangbanda, Sogba, Yandoumbé, Lindjombo, Monassao, Mboundara, Penzé, Bialé, Moloukou, Bakota Liberté. About two thousand and eighty seven (2087) (50% men and 49% women) took part in the consultations.

Two urgent recommendations emerged from these consultations:

The urgency for the government to recognise, protect and promote as a matter of priority, the dignity and rights of IPs through adequate legislation, participation and efficient application mechanisms; and

The strong will and commitment from IPs to actively engage in the promotion of their rights, participation in the management of their territories and in public life.

1.7.2.3 Proposal of texts for the new country constitution

In order to increase the chances of influencing the constitutional review process further, the project commissioned a consultant22 to study and propose texts for the new constitution. Building on the position notes, Mbaiki Declaration, the 2004 constitution of the CAR, and results from the extensive

22 Me Jerome LAVOU, Lawyer and former parliamentarian of 54

consultation, constitutional texts were proposed and presented for review by IP groups, the national CS platform and other stakeholders.

1.7.2.4 Lobbying and advocacy event/Parliamentary Diner: Brasserie Hall, 20 Participants, 12 September, 2014

The objective of this parliamentary diner was to feedback on all the work undertaken by the CS platform and other partners. The diner was also used gauge the level of acceptability of the proposals made and to improve understanding of possible barriers. This initiative was very well received by parliamentarians and members of the national transition council. The president of the commission expressed satisfaction with the innovative actions and approaches undertaken and promised to consider the proposals favourably.

1.7.2.5 Parliamentary information and awareness creation: sale 20000 place, 26 participants, 22nd December 2014

This was the final event of the year targeting parliamentarians and members of the CNT. The objective was to review the work done with members of the CNT, to appreciate their efforts and to continue to build interest and favour in view of the adoption of the new draft country constitution. During this meeting the different position notes developed by the civil society were presented, results of the CLIP consultation meetings discussed and legislators promised to consider the various proposals put forward by the national civil society in the RCA.

Summary results: Series of actions to integrate concerns of IPs and forest communities within the new country constitution in CAR

No Action Target Date Participants 1 Reflection workshop on the new

country constitutionGDRNE, CIONGCA, ONE, REPALCA etc;Parliamentarians from the CNT;Resources persons (Magistrates & Lawyers)Academics and researchers

17 -18 April 2014

60

2 Working session with the « commission Lois et affaires administratives » in charge of writing the constitution

Law and administrative commission of the CNT

3 June 2014

5

3 Consultation of IPs and local forest in Lobaye Division

Communities in the Lobaye Division

03-07 August 2014

60

4 Second working session with the « Commission Lois et Affaires Administratives ». meeting presided over by the President of the commission

« Commission Lois et Affaires Administratives » and all its staff

28 August2014

15

5 Informal meetings with the national commission writing up the new

Different senior members of the CNT and thematic groups

5 – 10 Sept

12

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constitution to continue to influence the process in favour of IPs and local forest communities

and others; Hyacinthe GBIEGBA; Joseph BINDOUMI; Thierry Patrick AKOLOZA; Bruno Hyacinthe GBIEGBA; Sony POKOMANDJI; Issa-Bi-Amadou; Monseigneur Paulin POMODIMO.

2014

6 Parliamentary diner to continue advocacy in favour of IPs and local forest communities – community rights, tenure and transparency

Parliamentarians and members of the “commission Lois et Affaires Administratives »

12 Sept 2014

25

7 Working sessions with different senior staff of different thematic commissions within the CNT

Senior Heads of Service 30 Sept 2014

22

8 Information and parliamentary sensitisation day

Parliamentarians and members of the “commission Lois et Affaires Administratives »

22 Dec2014

26

Total 225

Key results:

1. Consultations in twenty three 23 forest communities undertaken and priorities for integration in country constitution identified and reported;

2. Close to 2100 IPs participated in the consultations;

3. One constitutional study undertaken and legal texts proposed for the new country constitution;

4. Eight (08) workshop/meeting reports produced;

5. Position notes and declarations produced and widely disseminated on the concerns of IPs and Forest communities to be integrated into the country constitution;

6. Buy in by parliamentarians and members of the national transitional council achieved;

7. Commitment by members of the writing up committee of the CNT to integrate concerns of IPs and local forest communities into the draft constitutional text;

8. Excellent working relationships and synergies created between national stakeholders – CSOs, government, IPs and the transitional council through a highly innovative and first of its kind experience in CAR.

1.7.3 Monitor and keep under review the implementation of commitments undertaken by governments in VPA annexes (e.g. transparency and related issues, respect of tenure rights, social responsibility clauses, integration of international human law)

In 2014, the project concentrated on transparency as one of the most important areas of work which underpins all aspects of the VPAs in Cameroon. The work on the new country constitution ensured that issues IP rights, tenure and international law were integrated.

Main Activity 1.8 Legal, organisational and other support to CS to ensure effective participation in legal reform processes and implementation committees and support for communities and their participation and representation

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1.8.1.1 Legal advice to various NGOs in south-western Cameroon

FPP provided ad hoc legal and strategic advice to SEFE and Nature Cameroon, two NGOs working (alongside CED) with communities affected by the Herakles project in south-western Cameroon. FPP provided assistance in connection with the suspension of the activities of Nature Cameroon by the Senior Divisional Officer, as well as input and advice in relation to a proposed CERD complaint (which was ultimately not submitted).

Results: The suspension on Nature Cameroon was lifted several weeks previously, allowing the organisation to continue its work in the Nguti region.

1.8.1.2 Preparation of a guide to free, prior and informed consent in Cameroon (not yet completed)

FPP has begun drafting a guide to free, prior and informed consent, to be used particularly in work with communities.

Results: The guide is not yet completed, but consultations with national partners will continue on the contents of the draft in early 2015, with the aim of finalising and publishing it in the first 6 months of the 2015. We intend for this guide to be useful (if necessary with minor adaptations) also in the Central African Republic, and will also be shared the national civil society platform in CAR once the Cameroon version is complete.

1.8.1.3 Support to partners in relation to the constitutional reform process in Central African Republic

Following a request from MEFP, FPP developed some explanatory materials on the basic elements of a constitution, and the key points likely to be of interest from a human rights perspective (in particular in relation to issues pertinent to indigenous peoples, such as ownership of/access to land and use of natural resources). These materials were used to build the capacity of partners, and also formed the basis for community consultations around the constitution carried out by MEFP, CIEDD and several other local Central African NGOs in August-September 2014. The framework provided on these issues in the new Central African constitution is likely to be significant in determining the contents of sectoral laws and the “legality matrix” to be included in the proposed Central African VPA.

CIDT, FERN and FPP has also been involved in liaising and coordinating with other international NGO actors in the Central African Republic (most relevantly Rainforest Foundation UK) in relation to civil society actions as part of the constitutional reform process.

Main activity 1.9: Independent forest monitoring by CSO, LCs and IPs on the ground

1.9.1 Facilitate and carry out a review of existing networks of CSOs, LCs and IPs involved in forest observation, capacity needs assessments to identify current practices, methods, gaps and resource requirements

FODER and CED are part of a local network of 12 CSO organisations in Cameroon involved in independent forest monitoring (RC-OIE). This network is used to report and share experiences of external forest observation by CS, local forest communities and IPs.

The proposed action has been undertaken under the OI-FLEGT 2 project implemented by FODER with funding from the EU FAO FLEGT Programme.

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1.9.2 Organise workshops to harmonise field monitoring, research and reporting practices (Built into national platform meetings)

04 RC-OIE workshops were organised in Kumba, Abong-Mbang, Kribi and Yaounde with financial support from the project. The objectives were to share experiences of OI and debate results of OI activities undertaken by various member organisations. The meetings were also used as a platform to develop positions and proposals with regards to the links between OIE carried out by CSOs and OI-FLEGT (official nominated independent auditor – AGRECO/CEW) as well to develop strategies in order to improve the practice of OI and support to local forest communities. Close contact and joint work between the RC-OIE and the ECFP platform, led to the production and subsequent publication of the lesson learning document “11 lecons de OIE”.

1.9.3 Organise capacity building events in response to 1.9.1 for platform members, including techniques of investigation, research, forest monitoring and reporting

FODER led 05 five independent forest monitoring missions in 2014. The main objectives were to collect, analyse and report data about forest exploitation activities to the competent authorities and relevant stakeholders for action in order to improve forest governance. The field missions revealed amongst others many cases of illegality such as exploitation beyond concessions, non-respect of social commitments, exploitation of non-allocated tree species, non-respect of relevant transport documentation etc.

Through these efforts, 03 denunciation reports have been submitted to MINFOF, its decentralised services as well as Divisional offices in the communities of interest. Following these reports, MINFOF ordered a joint control mission between FODER, the National Control Brigade, leaders of community forests and forest exploitation companies to further investigate and conclude on claims brought forward by FODER OI reports.

FODER continues to provide support to leaders of community forests to seek legal redress and reduce illegality in forest exploitation. In 2014, FODER in collaboration with a group of 12 other CSOs involved in forest monitoring (RC-OIE) provided support to community forest leaders of CODEVIR and Nomedjoh in Lomié and FC MAD à Djoum to develop advocacy actions towards authorities (MINFOF, CNS and JIC CCS), the European Union and partners. For example, actions by FODER, the RC-OIE and the leaders of CODEVIR community forest led the president of the CNS to include concerns of this community in the agenda of the 5 th CNS meeting of 2014 which brought the issue to the spotlight. FODER and partners will continue to provide support to community leaders to monitor forest exploitation behaviour.

1.9.4 Share regional experiences of CS, LCs and IPs in forest monitoring and reporting

It is expected that these regularly exchanges within the RC-OIE network and the ECFP platform will continue in 2015. With the calm returning to the CAR, opportunities for regional experience sharing will be exploited. It is foreseen that the RC-OI platform through FODER, will provide support to CSOs in CAR to organise and get involved in OI activities.

FODER will provide a training of trainers (TOT) course for selected CSOs from CAR who will then receive project support to replicate their learning to local community leaders and networks there. The forest governance regional event in Cameroon in 2015 will provide another opportunity for regional experience sharing on OI.

1.9.5 Produce a publication on the experience of CS, LCs and IPs experiences of forest monitoring

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As already mentioned earlier, the ECFP platform, published a report on the 11 lessons of independent forest monitoring drawing on four years of experience of CSO actions in the domain. This publication complements other toolkits produced by Global Witness, REM and CED. There are ongoing efforts within the EU SAFG project led by CED to develop an independent forest monitoring toolkit.

Main activity 2.1: Facilitate regional communication and experience sharing

2.1.1. Upkeep of a joint NGO owned and managed website (www.loggingoff.info) with up to date information on VPAs in priority countries

FERN continues to work with partners across Africa, Asia and Latin America to ensure that LoggingOff is a well-used resource. Project resources were used to hire the website consultants “FatBeehive” to rebuild the site, taking into account feedback from the various users. The expectation is that LoggingOff will be better and more easily accessible. In addition, it will be easier to find material and to search in different languages.

2.1.2. Coordinate an e-list with ongoing discussions on forest governance and community rights issues

CED has taken over the co-ordination of the CRN mailing list. FERN continues to support CED upon request. The CRN mailing list offers the opportunity for all partners to share learning and raise difficult issues. FERN frequently shares relevant information via the CRN mailing list as well as via the Congo Caucus mailing list, addressing francophone campaigning NGOs in the Congo Basin region.

2.1.3. Participate in ACRN meetings (2014, 2016 Brussels)

One of the largest activities in 2014 was the facilitation of the two day ACRN workshop organised by CED, in charge of the coordination of the regional network. The tenure expert Liz Alden Wily attended this workshop which brought together about ten (10) key players from the African region to reflect about practical and joint ways of strengthening land rights in a context where land-grabbing and conversion of forest to agricultural land is on the rise. The Community Rights Network (CRN) week brought together about forty (40) participants from around the globe including CAR and Cameroon. The CRN week offered the opportunity to share experiences and discuss joint strategies to feed the upcoming FLEGT action review and ongoing VPA processes. An analysis based on questionnaires completed by participants was produced by FERN and will be available soon. One of the highlights of the CRN week was the dialogue of CRN participants and the European Commission. It was an occasion for CSO organisations from CAR and Cameroon to bring concerns and worrying trends at the attention of European policymakers and discuss avenues for the future.

2.1.4. Organise one regional Forest Governance Forum event in Cameroon (2015) for CSOs to debate issues and share good practice on VPA implementation.

This activity is planned for 2015.

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2.1.5. Carry out/facilitate the capturing of stories of change in terms of implementation of FLEGT and ensure lessons learnt from FLEGT is based on evidence from the ground

FERN included two stories of change in the Story of FLEGT animation, one of which was from Cameroon. FERN is now compiling a new film with stories of change from around the world. The project coordination is in dialogue with partners in both countries about possible opportunities to film there and capture stories. The first aim would be for the partners in country to produce the material, with FERN offering guidance and assistance if and when helpful.

2.1.6. Organise work experience opportunities for VPA stakeholders to learn how a different country is developing different areas of VPA implementation.

FERN continued to facilitate the CAR platform mailing list, including ensuring it is used primarily for information sharing and strategising rather than conflict solving. On this members-only listserv, CSO representatives, and a few selected INGO partners can tap into the wisdom of their peers across CAR, exchange updates, network, and plan for meetings. The list is quite active with half a dozen emails sent on a weekly basis. FERN also contributes and shares information via other channels such as the CRN mailing list (currently coordinated by CED), the mailing list of the forest and communities platform in Cameroon (animated by CED) and the Congo Caucus mailing list.

Another useful communication tool that FERN provides platform members with through a designated local administrator is the LoggingOff website. (www.logggingoff.info). The site is extensively used as a repository for policy documents and press articles on relevant activities and events in CAR, Cameroon and other VPA countries and is updated on a regular basis.

An important objective for the project is to encourage continued CSO networking in CAR and beyond. Representatives of CIEDD and MEFP participated in the annual CRN meeting which took place in Brussels in October 2014. The main purpose of the event was to bring forest governance activists, EU officials, INGO representative’, and researchers involved in the implementation of the FLEGT/VPA process to share and discuss experiences and lessons learned, and devise strategies on addressing emerging issues linked to forests and forest peoples’ rights.

Through the VPA updates and Forest Watch newsletters, FERN continued to provide information on key VPA and forest governance related developments in CAR. These information materials featured important updates on CSO monitoring of illegalities in forest concession bidding, work on the new constitution and awareness raising activities in forest communities.

Main activity 2.2: Support update/revision of curriculum with educational institutions

It is expected that well trained graduates will be able to integrate key issues into policy and programme design with consequent long term positive effects on the lives of local and indigenous forest dependent communities. This is key to the sustainability of this action and FLEGT VPAs in the long term.

2.2.1. Establish project links with educational institutions

2.2.1.1 Consultation meetings with 11 Heads of Department/Programmes at universities and teaching institutes in CAR , 20-27 February, 2014

The objectives of these meetings were to inform leaders of higher education institutions (HEI) about the project and its aims, to ensure buy-in to the project, to identify key concerns with regards to improving teaching for improved forest governance and sensitise leaders on global forest governance trends including the FLEGT VPA.

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http://www.logggingoff.info/

Results

Institute/university Number consulted

University of Bangui 7

Institut Supérieur de Développement Rural (ISDR) 3

Collège Technique pour le Développement Durable (CTDR) 1

2.2.1.2 Consultation meeting with Regional Coordination Unit of RIFFEAC, 10 June, 2014

The objective of the meeting with the Réseau des Institutions de Formation Forestière et Environnementale en Afrique Centrale (RIFFEAC) was understand its efforts to improve forest management curriculum in the COMIFAC region and to identify possible areas of complementarity and cooperation. During the meeting the regional coordinator presented the activities of the network to FODER and CIDT staff. Following this presentation, the EUCFPR project was also presented and discussions followed with regards to the common efforts. It emerged that the RIFFEAC Programme was focused on the harmonisation of training curriculum in the area of forest management in the region and that efforts by the EUCFPR project in the area of forest governance would complement RIFFEAC project aims. Participants agreed to share information about project activities and to collaborate in the organisation of working sessions during the 2015 forest governance forum on curriculum development issues. Where funding opportunities became available, both parties would be ready to work together to develop joint projects.

2.2.1.3 Consultation meeting at the University of Dschang Cameroon, 3 leaders, 06 June, 2014

The project manager held working sessions with the Dean of the Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural Sciences (FASA), The Vice Dean in charge of cooperation and the Head of Division in charge of Academic Affairs and Continuous Professional Development of the university of Dschang. The objective of these meetings was to present the project, facilitate buy in and identify capacity building needs. Educational leaders are keen to participate fully in the project and committed to working with the project team to update teaching methodologies and content in forestry at FASA and the University of Dschang more generally.

2.2.2. Plan and deliver a reflection workshop to carry out needs assessments in collaborating academic/ training institutions - identify possible areas of revision (Cameroon & CAR 2014)

Following consultations with institutions in 2.2.1 in CAR, MEFP commissioned a study on the state of education for improving forest governance in CAR and organised a workshop to present the study to leaders of HEI.

2.2.2.1 Restitution workshop: National Hotel CAR, 40 participants x 3 days, 14 to 16 May 2014

The workshop was opened by the Director General in the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, the Rector of the University of Bangui and heads of ISDR and CTRD. The following themes were covered during the workshop:

- The state of the FLEGT VPA process in CAR;- Objectives, expected results and activities of the EU-CFPR project;- Results of the curriculum scoping study; and- Recommendations for curriculum development work and creating of thematic working

groups.

Result:

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1. Forty (40) participants aware of the state of the FLEGT VPA process and major challenges facing its implementation as well as the role of academia and research;

2. Forty (40) copies of project brochure distributed to participants;

3. Five departments from the University of Bangui (Sociology, anthropology, economics, law and plant biology) and two institutes (Institut Superieur de Developpement Rural (ISDR) and college Technique de Developpement Rural (CTDR) were subject of the review;

4. Report on the state of education for improving forest governance with strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats to delivering an improved curriculum available;

5. Main weaknesses identified include: outdated training modules, limited financial resources to review programmes, lack of laboratories, limited access to documentation, lack of specialist lecturers, and limited knowledge of international forest governance regimes, limited participation in national reform processes and limited numbers of permanent staff;

6. Modules identified for revision in CAR.

2.2.2.2 Consultation meeting at the University of Dschang Cameroon, 3 leaders, 06 June, 2014

The aim of this meeting was to identify needs and develop areas of collaboration with the University of Dschang. Discussions led to the following results:

Results:

1. Two lecturers from the University of Dschang were identified and offered invitations to take part in the UK based course organised by the CIDT on improving forest governance. The lecturers have already upgraded their own modules and introduced new modules on forest governance pending validation university procedures;

2. In addition to the need to improve content of teaching at the departments of forestry, leaders of the institution stressed the need to also tackle the massive problem of outdated teaching methods and practices within the university;

3. Training on learning and teaching for improved forest governance course for lecturers identified and planned for November 2014;

4. Modules identified for revision in Cameroon:

Filière des Métiers du Bois, de l’Eau et de l’Environnement FASA Ebolowa (FM-EMBEE)

FASA-Department of Forestry (DEPFOR)

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Enjeux des secteurs forêts-bois-environnement (Master 1 : 30 étudiants)Gestion durable et certification forestière (Licence 2 : 40 étudiants)Marketing des produits forestiers ligneux et non-ligneux (Licence 1 : 40 étudiants)Exploitation forestière (Licence 2 : 40 étudiants)Transformation artisanale et industrielle du bois (Licence 3 : 45 étudiants)Commerce du boisEconomie forestière et économie des ressources naturelles

Economie forestière et économie des ressources naturellesForêt et Changement climatiqueForêt communautaireGouvernance forestière

2.2.2.3 Capacity needs assessment workshop: MEFP office, 30 participants, and various meetings from 16 July to 02 August, 2014

Several meetings were held with lecturers and university heads to identify specific entry points and where the project could add value to existing teaching. The following results were obtained:

Results:

Institution Date Needs/capacity needs identified Comments

ISDR 16-17/07/2014 Build capacities on forest governance and communication strategies

Support with exchange visits to other universities

CITD 18, 21/07/2017 Build capacities on forest governance, Communication strategies as well as documentation support

University of Bangui – Sociology Department

22-23/07/2014 Same as above, plus monitoring and evaluation

Anthropology Department

24-25/07/2014 Ibid

Economic sciences

28-29/07/2014 Ibid plus lack of documentation on forest governance and indigenous peoples

Public law 30-31/07/2014 Capacity building on FG, international environment law, identify regional university and share experiences including documentary support

Biodiversity 01-02/08/2014 Ibid

In addition to these meetings, lecturers identified different modules for revision and or updating in order to integrate FG issues and trends. They were also informed about the process of development and validation of new modules with universities and departments.

It also emerged that lecturers were keen to improve collaboration with others in the region dealing with forest governance issues. The suggestion to set up a regional experience sharing event was discussed and an exchange visit would be organised in 2015.

2.2.3. Facilitate working group on revision of curriculum and feedback

2.2.3.1 National study on education for improving forest governance

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Following activities and results achieved under 2.2.2, two national consultants were contracted to support MEFP to facilitate debates with the different departments and to start the process of curriculum revision/updating. Given the diversity in the modules delivered in the different universities, it was useful to group them together into thematic groups.

Forest governance, forest monitoring and illegal forest exploitation Forest governance and local forest communities and Forest governance, local communities and forest peoples’ rights

2.2.3.2 Training and curriculum revision workshop: JM residences hall, 35 participants, various thematic meetings, 22-30 September, 2014

These meetings consisted of three days per thematic group. The objective was to lead a reflection on the subject of forest governance and how it relates to current teaching. The first two days of the workshops were mini-training events and the third day focused on work in commissions about how and where specific modules could be upgraded and or new ones developed. Participants were from the selected universities and teaching institutions, private sector and civil society.

a) Forest governance, forest control and illegal forest exploitation

Participants in this working group were from ISDR, CTDR and the Department of Plant Biology.

Two training modules were presented:

Module 1: Principles, Indicators of Forest Governance, actors and roles

Session 1: Overview of FG

Session 2: Forest law and policy in the Congo Basin

Session 3: Forest governance and management

Session 4: Contribution of FLEGT and forest certification towards improving forest governance

Module 2: Control and Illegal Forest Exploitation

Session 1: Introduction to forest control and illegal forest exploitation

Session 2: Corruption and crime in the forest sector

b) Forest governance and local forest communities

Participants in this working group were from Departments of Sociology and Anthropology.

Session 1: Overview of FG

Session 2: FG and forest communities

Session 3: Legality and legitimacy of local governance of forest resources

Session 4: Community forestry: participatory management and community forest governance of local forest resources

c) Forest governance, local communities and forest peoples’ rights

Participants in this working group were from Departments of Economics and Public Law. The module plan developed was as follows:

Session 1: Conceptual framework of FG

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Session 2: Processes, tools and instruments from implementing FG

Session 3: Participation and existing mechanisms in the Congo Basin

Session 4: Benefit sharing, opportunities provided by forest exploitation and FLEGT

Session 5: Legal frameworks and land grabbing

Results:

1. Three (03) working group reports available;

2. Thirty (35) lecturers trained on different thematic areas;

3. Documentation and literature on the different thematic areas distributed to lecturers;

4. Lecturers committed to work internally to continue development and upgrading of individual modules and to feedback/share experiences of curriculum development with others during November workshop.

2.2.3.3 Curriculum Revision workshop, lesson learning and evaluation of progress made: Salle T de la FATEB, 45 participants x 2 days, 05-06 November, 2014

The objective of this workshop was to ensure that Lecturers and Departments were actually integrating learning and applying learning to existing modules. Additionally, it was an opportunity for lecturers in different departments to share their experiences of improving curriculum and chart the way forward. The workshop had the following outline:

Lecturers present their programmes and proposed revisions to their modules;Exchange, discuss and feedback on the presentations;Validate training programmes proposed;Exchange and discuss on a new charter for lecturers platform on forest governance;Exchange and discuss on a memorandum of collaboration between MEFP and different training institutes.

Results:

1. ISDR: All 6 modules identified have been revised and updated to include sessions on forest governance and rights

2. Department of Sociology: Module at Bachelors level (Espaces, Societes et defies environnementaux en milieu rural revised), Masters level modules (Environnement et developpement durable, gouvernance locale et democratie participative, ruralite, gouvernance local et cooperation decentralisee updated)

3. Department of Anthropology: Chapter 3 introduced in the course « Ecologie et developpement en option Developpement et Changement Social » on forest governance

4. Department of Public Law: New module on forest governance developed to be validated through the university procedure.

5. Department of Science: New module on forest governance developed to be validated through the university procedure. In addition to what the Public Law proposed, there is a chapter on economic dimensions of forest governance

6. CTDR: Module on Forest Management, forest law completely revised and new module outline for community forestry developed to be validated through college procedure

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7. A new charter for a platform for lecturers involved in forest governance developed and discussed pending adoption in 2015. The objective of the platform is to coordinate teaching in the area of FG, develop inter-departmental partnerships in teaching and research, build capacity of lecturers, introduce forest governance and share experiences beyond national borders

8. A draft MoU between MEFP/national civil society platform and higher education training institutions developed and discussed. Objective is to establish a formal collaboration, contribute to building capacities of lecturers, promote emergence of excellence in teaching and research, develop different tools and instruments for teaching and researching forest governance and eliminate isolation of lecturers from the CAR. Further discussions on the content, roles and responsibilities to be adopted in 2015.

9. Workshop report available.

2.2.3.4 Curriculum revision workshop Cameroon, FASA DEPFOR, 14 participants x 2days, 09th to 10th October, 2014

This workshop was organised to review the following modules in the Department of Forestry of the University of Dschang: economics and timber trade, forests and climate change; community forestry and forest governance and the FLEGT VPA23.

More specifically; Modules were analysed and updated in line with forest governance trends and challenges; Lesson plans were developed;The know how/competences to be developed were identified for each module; and Teaching methods proposed to accompany the modules.

2.2.3.5 Curriculum revision workshop Cameroon FASA-EMBEE Ebolowa, Hôtel les Destinées Ebolowa, 19 participants x 2 days, 27th to 28th November, 2014

The workshop was organised to review and update the following modules; marketing of non-timber forest products, timber trade, sustainable management and forest certification; environment, as well as industrial and artisanal timber processing.

More specifically; Modules were analysed and updated in line with forest governance trends and challenges; Lesson plans were developed;The know how/competences to be developed were identified for each module and Teaching methods proposed to accompany the modules

2.2.4. Organise review workshop to share lessons and assess progress on curriculum revision (2016)

For 2016

2.3 Review progress of Result 2 activities (annual): assess impacts/ plan follow up (2016)

First annual review planned for 2015

23 New module in the Department of Forestry, Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural Sciences (FASA) of 54

Cross-cutting Project Management Activities

A 1: Hold project inception meeting, set up/update project management systems (coordination, quality assurance, monitoring and evaluation (M&E), Steering committee, reporting schedules)

Inception meeting, CIDT office Telford via Video Conference, 14 participants from 7 project partners, 12 February, 2014,

Meeting was chaired by the project director with all seven partners involved via teleconference. The global action plan was reviewed and risk management plan updated in view of the security situation in the CAR. Partners were informed about the statutory meetings of the projects, operational and quality assurance, good practice and the need for effective communication and learning between partners. This ensured a common understanding of the project objectives, expected results and roles and responsibilities of partners. Minutes of the meeting are available.

Partners 1 st quarterly meeting: Ntoungou Hotel, 19 participants - 6 project partners, 2 days, 27-28 th

March 2014

This was an opportunity for all partners to meet face to face following the skype meeting of the 12 th of February 2014. All partners were present except for FERN whose staff members were unavoidably absent. Project staff introduced themselves, clarified roles and responsibilities, first 3 months of the project reviewed and action plans for the next three months (April to June, 2014) agreed. Models for the first semi-annual report were discussed and the deadline of the 15 th of July agreed for submission of reports. The group also initiated discussions on the communication and visibility strategy for the project. Other financial and administrative modalities were discussed including the respect of the financial procedures guide and the different templates for daily financial management of the project. Minutes of the meeting are available.

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Partners 2 nd quarterly meeting: Teleconference, 11 participants – 7 project partners, 27 June, 2014

This meeting took place via skype with the following agenda: Present the state of realisation of the project Planning for the next six months Discuss the terms of reference of the baseline study How to improve on the synergies and collaboration between partners and external partners Perspectives for 2015 if any

At the end of the meeting, partners were satisfied with the state of evolution of the project and remained committed to its effective implementation in the second semester of the year.

Partners 3rd quarterly meeting/Annual steering meeting: Maison Notre-Dame du Chant d’Oiseau; Avenue des Franciscains 3a; 1150 Bruxelles, 10 participants, 5 project partners, 17 October, 2014

This meeting was organised on the back of the Community Rights Network meeting facilitated by FERN in Brussels. It has the following objectives

Meet all partners and assess the state of progress of the project and reflect on the main areas of intervention for 2015;

Continue to improve coordination between project partners and external stakeholders; Present results of the baseline study; and Review the risk matrix as necessary

Partners 4 th quarterly meeting: 2015 planning meeting, Teleconference, 14 participants – 7 project partners, 17.12.2014

The objective of the meeting was to revue proposed action plans for 2015, strengthen synergies between partners and ensure progress towards project specific objective. The meeting was also used to discuss preparations towards the first project audits and the compilation of the first annual report for donors. Submission deadlines were agreed and the relevant formats for the various reports distributed.

A2: Organise project 1 day launch activities (Cameroon & CAR, 2014)

Congo Basin VPA Implementation Project launching event in Bangui: CIEDD office, 37 participants and 21st March, 2014

This event was organised to present the project to members of the national civil society platform - Gestion Durable des Ressources Naturelles et de l’Environnement (GDRNE). It was also intended to inform members of the opportunities provided by the project and to clarify/define the roles and responsibilities of CIEDD, MEFP during implementation.

Congo Basin VPA Implementation Project launching event in Cameroon: Hilton Hotel Yaoundé Cameroon, 152 participants and 26 th of March 2014

The project launching event presided over by the Secretary General at the Ministry of Forests and Wildlife, the EC Delegation in Cameroon and the Ambassador of the Central African Republic to Cameroon. The aim of the launching event was to inform relevant stakeholders about the project, its objectives and key activities and to facilitate buy in and synergies between partners. It was also useful for the visibility of the project and contributions from the EU, DFID and project partners.

Results:

1. Visibility of the project ensured through 189 individuals from government, private sector, civil society, academia and international organisations attending both events and wide media coverage – online, TV, radio and print media

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2. Project launching reports and press clips available

3. Key contacts made and networking with key participants – Universities, Ministry of higher education, RIFFEAC, MINFOF, STP Bangui etc

A3: Project management including regular country visits (quarterly), monitoring and reporting, liaison with other relevant INGOs and projects in CAR and Cameroon

Three country visits were carried out to Cameroon in 2014. The first was done in March 2014, the second in June and the last in November 2014. The March visit to Cameroon was undertaken to launch the project, to meet national partners and to discuss the 2014 annual plan, responsibilities and communications and visibility plan. This meeting was attended by Cameroon and CAR project partners and hence the opportunity was used to review the risk management plan of the project. The CIDT team also used the occasion to be introduced to the EC Delegation in Cameroon. The second visit was organised on the side lines of the project design training which also saw the attendance of national partners from the CAR. This occasion was used to review the first semester of the project and to plan for the second of the semester. During this occasion, field missions were carried out to Dschang to carry out a needs assessment at the University of Dschang and to ensure buy into the project. Additionally, meetings were held with the Regional Coordinator of RIFFEAC to understand the work of the network in improving curriculum in the Congo Basin as well as to seek ways to build synergies with the organisation. The final visit took part in November 2014 and similar to the June visit, was designed to coincide with the training of lecturers in forest governance and academic practice. The November meeting was used to review the past ten months of the project and start initial discussions about possible actions for 2015.

A4: Chair annual Steering Group meetings (linked to ACRN/ Forest Governance Meetings)

Partners 3rd quarterly meeting/Annual steering meeting: Maison Notre-Dame du Chant d’Oiseau; Avenue des Franciscains 3a; 1150 Bruxelles, 10 participants, 5 project partners, 17 October, 2014

This meeting was organised on the back of the Community Rights Network meeting facilitated by FERN in Brussels. It had the following objectives:

Meet all partners and assess the state of progress of the project;Review the implementation of the 2014 annual budget;Continue to improve coordination between project partners and external stakeholders;Present results of the baseline study; and Review the risk matrix as necessary.

Project partners judged that the year 2014 had been for the most part very successful in terms of realisation of project objectives. The consumption of the first year’s budget was also reported as being satisfactory by the project accountant. The main challenges remained the crisis in the CAR and the power transition issues within the civil society platform in the CAR following the election of its new coordination unit. Given the weaknesses in the coordination of the GDRNE platform in the CAR, project partners called on the MEFP and CIEDD to work more closely in supporting the new coordination unit to play its role effectively. Results of the baseline study revealed very low levels of understanding of the VPA by local forest and IP communities but also increased use of the VPA by CSOs in Cameroon most especially to leverage the VPA for wider sector reform. The consultant also recognised that the risk management plan of the project appeared to have been successful given the high rates of achievement of the project activities inspite of the crisis in the CAR.

A5: Coordinate annual review processes and final review for reporting to EU

Planned for 2015

A6: International NGOs take part in coordination meetings

Activities carried out and coordination efforts are detailed in sections 3.4 and 3.5 below. of 54

A7: Prepare exit strategies and follow-on proposals

Discussions and ideas to be developed as from 2015

A8: Ensure project visibility

See section 4 for detailed project visibility activities and results

2.4. Please list activities that were planned and that you were not able to implement, explaining the reasons for these.

Project partners were able to implement all activities planned for 2014 other than field visits to CAR due to the ongoing political situation. The project counteracted these problems by meeting with partners in Cameroon and where required online.

Activities planned but not realised Remarks

1.2.4 Establish contact with informal trade sector actors – build on CIFOR study on informal timber trade

In order to avoid duplication of efforts with the FODER led project « Civil Society and Private sector participation in FLEG for sustainable forest management » (CiSopFlEG)

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1.3.1 Assess priority issues with VPA civil society platform concerns (baseline of governance indicators and ongoing quarterly meetings)

In order to avoid duplication of efforts with the FERN/FODER led project Tackling deforestation through linking FLEGT and REDD+ » (LFR)

1.3.3 Develop strategy to implement the VPA transparency annex incorporating anti-corruption measures

To be implemented following publication of studies commission in 2014 (activity 1.3.2 and 1.3.4)

1.3.4. Transparency report in Cameroon covering implementation of transparency annex as well as illegal logging cases through monitoring the paper trail. Conceive and produced the report (100)

Studies already commissioned in 2024

Main activity 1.4: Assess/ Review participation and representation of communities, IPs and other non-government actors in the implementation of VPA processes: assess impacts/ plan follow up (2016)

Ongoing activity to end 2016

1.5.3 Deliver a programme of bespoke training for judges and magistrates

Postponed because of President of Republic of Cameroon convening of National Supreme Council of Magistrates at the same time workshop was planned

1.9.2 Workshops to harmonise practices nationally: Organize a regional workshop (Cam, RCA) to harmonize field monitoring, research and reporting practices (Built into national platform meetings

Workshop planned for 2015 given a REGIONAL meeting organised by FLAG in the region

1.9.4 Share regional experiences Prepare and organise a regional forest forum to share regional experiences of CS, LCs and IPs in forest monitoring and reporting

2015 in relation to the holding of the forest governance forum

2.1.7 Organise one regional Forest Governance Forum event in Cameroon (2015) for CSOs to debate issues and share good practice on VPA implementation.

Planned for 2015

2.2.4. Organise review workshop to share lessons and assess progress on curriculum revision (2016)

2016

2.3 Review progress of Result 2 activities (annual): assess impacts/ plan follow up (2016)

First annual review planned for 2015

A5: Coordinate annual review processes and final review for reporting to EU

2015

A7: Prepare exit strategies and follow-on proposals 2015

2.5. What is your assessment of the results of the Action so far? Include observations on the performance and the achievement of outputs, outcomes and impact in relation to specific and overall objectives, and whether the Action has had any unforeseen positive or negative results (please quantify where possible; refer to Logframe Indicators).

Please double click on the icon for a summary of realisations (in French)

ACRN and CRN meetings in Brussels were well-attended and very active allowing for the sharing of information not just regionally but also globally. The Story of FLEGT film was also more successful than

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envisaged (we had thought it would only be available in two languages). We have heard positive reports about it being used in high level meetings, at the community level and at universities. It has increased coordination work with organisations such as EFI and a number of countries have proactively requested that they be allowed to translate it. Even situations such as the poor political situation in CAR have led to unexpected benefits as partners from CAR have spent more time in Cameroon, thus improving coordination between the two parties.

The use of the VPA process as a lever to bring the issue of illegal conversion and conversion timber on the political agenda has been successful. The Action contributed via the advocacy and communication activities, The project work in CAR focussed primarily on constitutional reform, rather than on the VPA process per se, as a result of the civil conflict (which has made constitutional reform a priority) given that VPA process stalled during the conflict. Nonetheless, the project views the constitutional reform process as a significant opportunity to create a human rights-compliant legal framework in CAR, which respects the rights of indigenous peoples and local communities, which in turn will provide a strong human rights basis in the legality matrix of the CAR VPA, when this is eventually agreed. Representation and participation of IPs and local forest communities in VPA implementation committees is effective. Representatives regularly attend these meetings and feedback resolutions and recommendations to their constituencies.

The national civil society platform in Cameroon has been remobilised and redynamised. Four quarterly meetings have been effectively organised and several other thematic working groups held. A number of achievements have been registered through the platform – internally and externally. With regards to its organisational and institutional development, a functional coordination unit is in place, a five year strategic plan with key areas of focus developed, capacity needs assessment undertaken and training events for members implemented, an internal charter has been developed which lays out the mandate, roles and responsibilities of members, improved communication between members and an advocacy plan is being finalised. With regards to its external activities, the platform has been active and contributing to ongoing national debates and policy reforms. The platform represents Cameroon’s civil society in the CNS, JIC and its technical working group on conversion timber, has made contributions through positon notes towards MINFOF with regards to the revision of the forest law, the implementation of the VPA transparency annex, the revision of national forest inventory norms and on the integration of IPs in the CNS and its working group on monitoring the impacts of the VPA in Cameroon.

Significant progress has been made in both project countries to influence the update and revision of curriculum in higher education institutions. This is demonstrated through training of lecturers in forest governance and pedagogical practice, the development of new module outlines on forest governance as well as the revision of existing courses to integrate current forest governance trends.

Please list potential risks that may have jeopardized the realisation of some activities and explain how they have been tackled. Refer to logframe indicators.

In CAR, the civil conflict has changed the focus of work to constitutional reforms rather than (for the time being) sectoral reforms or direct involvement in the VPA negotiation process. With the reopening of talks between the EC and the government of the CAR with regards to VPA implementation, national civil society has been supported to engage with the process.

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Another challenge has been the internal dynamics within the national civil society platform in the CAR. The leadership transition following the election of a new coordination unit has been less than fluid and this has led to challenges in providing support to the platform. However, CIDT has continued discussions with national partners in the CAR, the new coordination unit and WWF CAR to chart a way forward starting with the joint development of a strategic development plan for the platform.

If relevant, submit a revised logframe, highlighting the changes.

A couple of updates have been made to the logframe indicators at the level of the objectives as a result of the baseline study carried out for the project by Well Grounded. No change has been made to the logic of intervention. The baseline situation has been introduced for higher level objectives and some of the indicators “smartened”. This will improve monitoring and evaluation of the project. Following the baseline study, the theory of change of the project is being elaborated and a possible methodology “Most Significant Change” has been proposed for the project.

Please double click on the icon to access the logframe. Proposed changes are highlighted in blue.

Please list all contracts (works, supplies, services) above 10.000€ awarded for the implementation of the action during the reporting period, giving for each contract the amount, the award procedure followed and the name of the contractor.

No contracts were awarded during 2014 above the stated value.

2.6. Please provide an updated action plan 24

Please double click on the icon to view the updated action plan for 2015

24

? This plan will cover the financial period between the interim report and the next report. of 54

3. Partners and other Co-operation

3.4. How do you assess the relationship between the formal partners of this Action (i.e. those partners which have signed a partnership statement)? Please provide specific information for each partner organisation.

CIDT has an excellent relationship with all six project partners under this action. This action has not only enabled the CIDT to strengthen its relationship with its long standing partner FODER in Cameroon, but has also made it possible to create new alliances with CED, CIEDD, FERN, FPP and MEFP. This relationship has developed through regular communication with project partners, joint implementation of activities as well regularly project meetings. The coordination role of CIDT has been very positively received. In addition to this, the relationship between and amongst project partners is also very positive and demonstrates the willingness of partners to deliver this action in the best possible way.

3.5. How would you assess the relationship between your organisation and State authorities in the Action countries? How has this relationship affected the Action?

3.5.1. Government Ministries and agencies – Cameroon (MINFOF, MINJUSTICE)

The project has developed a strong and positive relationship with the services of MINFOF. This is testified by the fact that most of the capacity building events in country have either seen the participation and or have received inputs from senior staff of the ministry. In addition to this, joint project capacity needs assessments and forest control missions have been undertaken with MINFOF including the National Control Brigade. Even though the project partner FODER does not seat at the CNS, staff are regularly invited to make presentations in these meetings which is very good testimony of the good relationships. The project partners appreciate the willingness and availability of MINFOF staff to get involved in the project given the positive contribution this has had on project delivery. The relationship with the ministry of Justice is new and the signs going forward look positive. Already the Central Ministry was instrumental in authorising the organisation of the training of Magistrates and senior judges. It is expected that this relationship will develop further as the project seeks to continue capacity building of staff in the ministry to improve their understanding of forest governance and their role in promoting and defending forest peoples’ rights.

3.5.2. Government ministries and agencies in CAR (Ministry of National Education, Higher Education and Scientific Research, Ministries of water and forests, wildlife and fisheries and National FLEGT VPA Technical Secretariat )

Senior government staff from these ministries and agencies are consistently informed and involved in the activities of the project. For example, the ministry of national education and higher education has been involved in on going work to improve forest governance curriculum in the country while senior staff from the ministry of environment, consistently provide facilitation and training support to project activities. Several joint activities have been carried out especially with regards to on going work on the new country constitution where government staff has been involved in the moderation and facilitation of several working sessions. Many of whom are IFG course alumni and the project therefore provides them opportunities to apply their learning on the ground. With regards to the national technical secretariat (STP), the project has been consistent in providing information about project activities and integrating the expertise of the unit during project implementation. For example, the national technical secretary took part in project launching events in Cameroon and CAR, gave a presentation during the training of national stakeholders on project design and proposal writing in Cameroon in June 2014 and has facilitated/officiated at several workshops organised by national project partners. The STP receives project updates on a regular basis from partners in the CAR. Important to note that the project partner CIEDD represents civil society within the CCMO and CCMOS committees in the CAR and is very much involved in ongoing discussions to kick start the VPA process in the CAR. The Minister of environment has already received the project team to discuss the work of the project and its contribution to the national constitutional process. It is also important to highlight the very significant and positive relationship with the High Commissioner for Human Rights and Governance in the CAR who has been highly proactive, willing and available to work with project partners on the national constitution.

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3.6. Where applicable, describe your relationship with any other organisations involved in implementing the Action:

No other organisation is involved in the implementation of this action.

3.7. Where applicable, outline any links and synergies you have developed with other actions.

3.7.1. EU FAO FLEGT PROGRAMME

Early in the year, the CIDT joint up efforts with the EU FAO FLEGT Programme to build capacities of national FLEGT stakeholders in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Four regional workshops were organised in the country with up to 60 national organisations and government agencies trained in the art of project design and proposal writing. The successful experience was replicated in Cameroon and CAR where 44 national organisations from both countries were trained. It is expected that this collaboration will continue in the next coming years.

3.7.2. Réseau des Institutions de Formation Forestière et Environnementale de l’Afrique Centrale (RIFFEAC

RIFFEAC’s work in the COMIFAC region is also focused on improving sustainable forest management training at different levels of forestry education. Initial discussions were held between CIDT and RIFFEAC at the beginning of the project and to explore areas of collaboration. So far no joint action has been implemented but it is foreseen that resources and experiences will be put together during the upcoming regional forest governance event in Cameroon. The initial ideas are to organise a working session on education for improving forest governance during the events in order to share regional experiences of upgrading curriculum and of retooling lecturers in the COMIFAC region.

3.7.3. Economic Community of Central African States (ECAS/CEEAC) FLEGT UNIT

Synergies have been created with the CEEAC FLEGT UNIT in the area of teaching and learning for improved forest governance in Universities in Cameroon. The CEEAC FLEGT unit was represented and took part in the facilitation of the training workshop for lecturers at the University of Dschang Cameroon from the 10th-14th of November, 2014. The CIDT and CEEAC have also committed to co-organise a regional training event for FLEGT VPA actors on project design and proposal writing in Congo Brazza. Discussions are also ongoing to expand the experience of work with universities in Cameroon to all CEEAC member countries beyond 2015.

3.7.4. RainForest Foundation UK (RFUK)

RFUK has long standing experience of working on community rights and tenure issues in the CAR with our project partner MEFP. They were instrumental in the evacuation of MEFP staff to Cameroon during the crisis. A couple of coordination meetings were held in 2014 between FERN, FPP and CIDT to share experiences of work during the crisis and especially to coordinate civil society actions and consultations with regards to the development of the new country constitution.

3.7.5. Forest Peoples’ Programme (FPP

Though FPP is a partner within the EUCFPR project, it also leads on another big ENTRP project that is focused on developing representational structures for indigenous forest peoples in the Congo Basin. Close work between CED, OKANI, RACOPY and FPP ensures that both projects are in sync, that synergies are created and any duplication is avoided. These partners were instrumental in the selection of two IP representatives to the CNS and continue to provide organisational and technical

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support towards the development of fully legitimate representational structures in the long term.

3.7.6. FODER – OI FLEGT 2 Project and CiSoFLEGT Project.

FODER’s OI-FLEGT 2 project is focused on developing a national system of CSO led independent forest monitoring which is in line with activity 1.9 of the project. By coordinating with this project, the EUCFPR project ensures that synergies and duplications are avoided in the joint efforts to improve external forest monitoring for improving forest governance by CS.

Its CiSoFLEGT project seeks to improve the consideration of the domestic market and national private sector actors in national reform practices which is in line with activity 1.2 of the EUCFPR project. A strategic decision has been in view of the resources available, to allow the two FODER projects to lead on the issues of external forest monitoring and work with informal timber trade sector.

3.7.7. FERN’s FLEGT/REDD Linkages Project

Same as 3.4.5 and3.4.6 above, FERN’s FLEGT/REDD linkages project has a core objective to monitor governance indicators in the Congo Basin which is in line with activities of the EUCFPR project. In view of the substantial resources available to FERN, a strategic decision has been made to avoid duplication of efforts and resources and for the FERN project to lead on this topic.

3.7.8. World Wide Fund for Nature - CAR

Relations with WWF have been developed and strengthened in the implementation process. Three key actions have been jointly realised:

Collaboration to produce brochures, flyers and posters on FLEGT/VPA during organisation of information days at the University of Bangui;

WWF RCA provided financial support towards the development of the strategic and advocacy plan of the GDRNE Platform. The EU-CFPR project has since funded and facilitated the completion of the strategic plan during a two day workshop in Bangui;

Joint support to the leadership transition in the platform following the election of a new coordination unit in April 2014. This joint action has continued to sustain the dynamic in the platform despite teething problems when the new coordination was put in place.

3.8. If your organisation has received previous EU grants in view of strengthening the same target group, in how far has this Action been able to build upon/complement the previous one(s)?

The “Strengthening African Forest Governance - through high level national illegal logging meetings and awareness raising and training” project in Cameroon, DRC, Ghana and Liberia seeks to ensure that non state actors are aware of and committed to international initiatives to combat illegal logging and improving forest governance. Attention is paid to strengthening capacity so that stakeholders from civil society, private sector, indigenous communities & academia [forest training institutions and universities can enhance their skills, knowledge and confidence to participate effectively in the implementation of FLEGT VPAs and improvement of forest governance in their countries.

The project seeks to: Improve awareness and engagement of civil society in forest governance; Improve awareness of FLEGT demonstrated by private sector companies; Engagement of indigenous people’s organisations in multi stakeholder processes

leading to VPA preparation, negotiation and/or implementation.

The current project has built on and complemented the previous project in a number of ways. This includes amongst others:

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1. Continued organisational and institutional capacity building for the national civil society platform in Cameroon

2. Information and awareness creation for local and indigenous forest communities through CIDT partner in Cameroon FODER

3. Using alumni from the CIDT UK improving forest governance courses to co-deliver in country training

4. Facilitating participation of lecturers to the IFG course organised as part of the EU-SAFG project

5. Building on links with universities to review and update curriculum in higher educational institutions in Cameroon

6. Facilitating the participation of project beneficiaries in EUSAFG events. For example, national project staff from the CAR attended the forest governance forum in October, 2014 organised under the EUSAFG project

7. Effectively ensuring that IPs and representatives from Community Forests are represented and play their roles within national VPA implementation committees.

4. Visibility

How is the visibility of the EU contribution being ensured in the Action?

4.4. EU Project Launching event Yaoundé, Cameroon

Congo Basin VPA Implementation Project launched in Cameroon on the 26th of March 2014. Launching presided over by Secretary General of the Ministry of Forests and Wildlife, the EC Delegation in Cameroon and the Ambassador of the Central African Republic to Cameroon. 152 individuals from government, private sector, civil society, academia and international organisations attended.

Coverage:

http://www.agricdev.net/index.php/sport/item/378-apv-flegt-vers-une-plus-grande-implication-des- populations-locales#.U0hmbGPNvIU

http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/16799201-six-ngos-to-check-illegal-logging-in-the- congo-basin

https://www.facebook.com/UE.Cameroun#!/UE.Cameroun Written press coverage of launching event available Launching report available

4.5. Project launching-restitution in Bangui

This event was organised by national partners in CAR. Participants included members of the national civil society platform, academia, ministry of environment and the representative of the national technical secretariat of the VPA in CAR.

http://loggingoff.info/sites/loggingoff.info/files/journal%20_0.pdf

4.6. EU CFPR project website

New website for the project developed and linked into existing forest governance sites: http://cidt.org.uk/eucfpr/

4.7. Coverage of various capacity building events

4.7.1. Project design and proposal writing workshops

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http://cidt.org.uk/eucfpr/

http://loggingoff.info/sites/loggingoff.info/files/journal%20_0.pdf

https://www.facebook.com/UE.Cameroun#!/UE.Cameroun

http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/16799201-six-ngos-to-check-illegal-logging-in-the-congo-basin

http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/16799201-six-ngos-to-check-illegal-logging-in-the-congo-basin

http://www.agricdev.net/index.php/sport/item/378-apv-flegt-vers-une-plus-grande-implication-des-populations-locales#.U0hmbGPNvIU

http://www.agricdev.net/index.php/sport/item/378-apv-flegt-vers-une-plus-grande-implication-des-populations-locales#.U0hmbGPNvIU

http://www.forest4dev.org/index.php/ publications/2014-09-19-08-00-07/apv-flegt-dans-le-bassin-du-congo

Article produced and 100 copies disseminated in Cameroon https://www.facebook.com/UE.Cameroun Les chaînes radio et télé concernées sont : KALAK FM (94.5 FM, de lundi à vendredi entre

95 000 et 110 250) ; RTS (90.5 FM, de lundi à vendredi entre 195 000 et 210 250 auditeurs) ; MAGIC FM (100.1FM, de lundi à dimanche entre 156 000 et 175 250 auditeurs) ; AFRIQUE MEDIA (chaine de télévision sur satellite : SES Astra 5 @ 5° Est, Rascom QAF 1R @ 2.8°E, sur Canal Sat, de lundi à vendredi 1 685 500 et 1 850 025 téléspectateurs).

4.7.2. Learning and Teaching for improving forest governance course – University of Dschang

http://www.univ-dschang.org/actualites-a-l-uds/349-gouvernance-forestiere.html

http://www.sinotables.com/index.php? option=com_content&view=article&id=1162:politique-l-la-corruption-est-un-element-de-la-gouvernance-r&catid=17:derniere-actu-sport

http://www.forest4dev.org/index.php/publications/2014-09-19-08-00-07/gouvernance- forestiere

4.7.3. CRN meeting in Brussels and VPA updates

Forest Watch FLEGT VPA Update, November 11, 2014

http://www.fern.org/sites/fern.org/files/2014%2011%20FW%20update.pdf

Forest Watch FLEGT VPA Update, June 26, 2014

http://www.fern.org/sites/fern.org/files/VPA%20update%20June%202014.pdf

4.7.4. Project brochures, USB sticks

1000 copies of project brochures produced and distributed

700 project branded USB sticks distributed to participants at different training events

4.7.5. World Forestry Conference

The EUCFPR project manager presented a poster about the project, its achievements and future actions during the conference. This meeting was organised by DEVCO in Brussels from the 26 th to the 27th of May 2014. It was attended by close to 150 participants from industry, academia, INGOs, NGOs, governments and donors to discuss the main drivers and impacts of deforestation, the role of business and how to secure livelihoods, biodiversity and climate through the sustainable management of forests and land resources.

http://ec.europa.eu/environment/forests/conf_26_05_2014.htm

4.7.6. FLEGT Coordination meeting MINFOF Cameroon

The project was represented at the MINFOF coordination meeting of the 20 th of October 2014 in Cameroon during which the project, its achievements, challenges and future actions were presented to donors, governments and other national FLEGT project holders.

4.7.7. Production of the story of FLEGT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmdrtXR96Pk http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_axIRP3slbY

4.7.8. EU Forest Watch newsletter and loggingoff

4.7.8.1. EU Forest Watch edition 197, October 2014: News in Brief

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_axIRP3slbY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmdrtXR96Pk

http://ec.europa.eu/environment/forests/conf_26_05_2014.htm

http://www.fern.org/sites/fern.org/files/VPA%20update%20June%202014.pdf

http://www.fern.org/sites/fern.org/files/2014%2011%20FW%20update.pdf

http://www.sinotables.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1162:politique-l-la-corruption-est-un-element-de-la-gouvernance-r&catid=17:derniere-actu-sport



http://www.univ-dschang.org/actualites-a-l-uds/349-gouvernance-forestiere.html

https://www.facebook.com/UE.Cameroun

http://www.forest4dev.org/index.php/publications/2014-09-19-08-00-07/apv-flegt-dans-le-bassin-du-congo






CIEDD is raising CAR parliamentarians’ awareness of governance challenges in that country’s forest sector. CIEDD initiated a meeting with parliamentarians overseeing the constitutional review to discuss civil society organisations’ (CSO) demands concerning community rights, land tenure and transparency.

http://www.fern.org/node/5808

4.7.8.2. EU Forest Watch edition 199: December 2014, Bad business-as-usual in CAR’s timber sector


4.7.8.3. EU Forest Watch, July 2014: Central African Republic: forest governance at risk


4.7.8.4. Civil society efforts to integrate community rights, land tenure and transparency into new country constitution

Title : Centrafrique : 5 préoccupations de la société civile à intégrer dans la nouvelle constitution, Décembre 22, 2014 – 289 vues : http://kangbi-ndara.com/centrafrique-5-preoccupations-de-la-societe-civile-a-integrer-dans-la-nouvelle-constitution/

The European Commission may wish to publicise the results of Actions. Do you have any objection to this report being published on the EuropeAid website? If so, please state your objections here.

No objection, except it would be preferable if the role of FPP role in relation to providing advice to Nature Cameroon and SEFE could remain confidential.

Name of the contact person for the Action: Philip N. Dearden, Head of CIDTSignature:

Location: Telford, United Kingdom

Date report due: First semester, 2015

Date report sent: 30th March, 2015

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http://kangbi-ndara.com/centrafrique-5-preoccupations-de-la-societe-civile-a-integrer-dans-la-nouvelle-constitution/

http://kangbi-ndara.com/centrafrique-5-preoccupations-de-la-societe-civile-a-integrer-dans-la-nouvelle-constitution/




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