FLEGT PROJECT /COLOMBIA

FOREST GOVERNANCE

FLEGT / Colombia

Forest Governance Project / Forests FLEGT, Colombia (2007-2010), is executed by CARDER, CRQ, CORTOLOMA and CORPONOR and supported by the German Development Agency GTZ and the Ministry of Environment, Housing and Territorial Development. It´s performance laid the foundations for institutional and community culture of legality in the forest chain.

Forest Governance / FLEGT Colombia, supported by the European Union, promotes the improvement of conditions of legality and forest governance in two regions of the country, coffee region - Norte de Santander, and the increase of legal production and marketing of forest resources from small and medium producers in the departments of Quindío, Risaralda, Tolima y Norte de Santander, through the following lines of action: 

- Implementation of flexible and effective instruments of control and forestry development by the institutions responsible for the regulation and control of the forest sector.

- More sustainable forest management and access to forest extension for the institutions responsible for the regulation and control of the forest sector.

- Improved revenue from the development of forestry and wood processing.

- Diffusion and provision of tools to replicate the experiences of the project in other forest regions of the country.

FLEGT stands for Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade. The EU FLEGT Action Plan sets out a programme of action that forms the European Union’s response to the problem of illegal logging and the trade in associated timber products.

The action plan sets out a range of measures that aim to combat the problem of illegal logging. These focus on seven broad areas:

1.  Support to timber-producing countries

2. Activities to promote trade in legal timber

3. Promoting public procurement policies

4. Support for private sector initiatives

5. Safeguards for financing and investment

6. Use of existing legislative instruments or adoption of new legislation to support the Plan

7. Addressing the problem of conflict timber

Annual Operating Plan 2009

Outcome 1: The institutions responsible for the regulation and control of the forest sector apply flexible and effective instruments of control and forestry development

Outcome 2: The target groups manage their forests in a more sustainably way and have access to forest extension, information and advice for technology development and marketing

Outcome 3: The target groups have improved their income from the development of forestry activities and wood processing

Outcome 4: Tools Have been reported and provided for replication of the project experiences in other forest regions of the country

Annual Operating Plan 2009

Outcome 1: The institutions responsible for the regulation and control of the forest sector apply flexible and effective instruments of control and forestry development

ACTIVITIES

1.1 The institutions responsible for the regulation and control of forestry apply flexible and effective instruments of management and control

1.2. Establish dialogue on regulation and forest policy with stakeholders

1.3. Implement the new regulations through inter-institutional plans of regional action

1.4. Establish 2 regional forums of analysis and debate

1.5. Assessing governance, adapt control measures and socialize results

Outcome 2: The target groups manage their forests in a more sustainably way and have access to forest extension, information and advice for technology development and marketing

ACTIVITIES

2.1. Assess options and define the structure of a forest extension service (public-private)

2.2. Develop format and install the forest extension service

2.3. Conduct the training and accreditation process for extension workers including: definition of the minimum contents, quality standards and accreditation to government agencies

2.4. Operate, evaluate, adapt and make institutional the Forestry Extension Service, SEF

2.5. Train, inform and strengthen grassroots organizations: emphasis on youth and women groups

2.6. Prepare owners and selected groups for the management and chain of custody certification and support external audits

Outcome 3: The target groups have improved their income from the development of forestry activities and wood processing

ACTIVITIES

3.1 Establish and operate two Public - Private offices of information and advice to target groups and other stakeholders for marketing and development

3.2 Negotiate and formalize alliances of vertical and horizontal integration in production chains among target groups

3.3 Increase value added in two product lines (laminates, accessories and crafts) with pilot projects

3.4 Consolidate two forest nuclei in the coffee region and Norte de Santander

3.5 Promote and facilitate the establishment of financial mechanisms for small and medium forestry and timber enterprises

Outcome 4: Tools Have been reported and provided for replication of the project experiences in other forest regions of the country

ACTIVITIES

4.1 Preparation material for replicating experiences

4.2 Using the Management of the National Forest Development Plan (PNDF) as transmition shaft of experience at national level.

4.3 Conduct informative and regional events with good practice for law enforcement, governance, forest management, timber economy and help desks.