Ensuring a Seat at the Table Organisation: FERN and partners Objectives: Ensuring a seat at the table for local NGOs and communities in VPA negotiation and implementation. Main target groups: NGOs and communities Main area of work: (1) Transparency, reporting and advocacy, (2) Independent Monitoring, (3) Verification systems, (4) Policy/legislative/regulatory frameworks, (5) Domestic and regional market issues, (5) Information Management Location: EU and several West and Central African countries and Malaysia Main local partners: Civic Response - Forest Watch Ghana; OCDH - GDF Platform RoC; Brainforest - Environnement Gabon; CED - ECFP Cameroon; SDI - NGO Coalition Liberia; IDEAL - JOANGOHutan, Malaysia. CAR, DRC partners also involved in some of the activities. Dates of implementation: Jan December 2011 (extended till 5 April 2012) Budget: Euro 1.2 million Funding partners: as per above

Without this project: There would be few VPAs signed that had the full consent of local civil society organisations (and communities). NB: No other trade agreements exist that have the buy in of local CSOs. Local NGO coalitions would be non existent/less effective to make their voice heard in negotiations and implementation of VPA and follow up activities; There would be no coalition of African NGOs advocating with one voice for recognition of community rights (Africa Community Rights Network- ACRN); There would be less cordial relations, less dialogue and mutual understanding between governments and NGOs. There would be less understanding of the local reality among European NGOs. There would be no studies identifying the legal reforms required for recognition of community tenure rights in Liberia, Cameroon and Gabon. There would be fewer (informed and consultative) legal reform processes ongoing.

To strengthen the impact: Improved coordination at country level and among international actors to ensure local partners are supported. Make sure the process remains locally lead, based on existing needs and informed by communities’ realities. More outreach to local level (communities) as well as improved regional coordination among NGOs. Focus on domestic market as much as on export market in implementation inclusive of effective civil society monitoring processes. Widening the FLEGT multi-stakeholder consultation process to other bilateral trade negotiations and negotiations between companies and governments in other sectors (agriculture, mining,..), notably palm oil, rubber etc. Open the debate on nationwide land management planning. Effective EU advocacy concerning procurement (FLEGT licenses, EUTR), consumption (limit it) and financial institutions (ECAs, money laundering). Measure improvements in forest governance and assess impacts of FLEGT Communicate FLEGT successes better but keep certain actors out..