The Albanian Forestry Project (AFP) Experience with Community based Forest Management

Experience with Community based Forest Management Quick Overview over Albania

Experience with Community based Forest Management The Albanian Forestry Project in Brief Funding: IDA US$ 8.0 Italian LoanUS$ 8.5 Italian GrantUS$ 2.5 Swiss TF US$ 0.5 WBexec.US$19.5 FAO TAUS$ 2.5 Albania US$ 2.1 TotalUS$ 24.1 Communal Component Initial US$ 2.3 NowUS$ 4.3 Duration: (6 years) Close Collaboration with USAID Private Forestry Development Program (APFDP)

Experience with Community based Forest Management Degradation of Forests and Pastures Forest area: 1 million ha Pasture area 0.4 million ha Strong degradation of forests starting end of 80ies. Deforestation by 15% between Causes of deterioration Uncontrolled wood cutting and grazing Collapse of control mechanisms during transition phase Privatization of agricultural land: family plots too small Increase of livestock numbers for additional income generation Illegal logging for commercial purposes

Experience with Community based Forest Management Important Political Decisions on NR Transfer of certain forests and pastures for usufruct and management by communes ca. 250,000 ha of state forests and pastures about 250 out of 315 communes are eligible Privatization of agricultural land Increased financial autonomy and management by communes Change of paradigm for Forest Administration (DGFP): Extension services, assistance to Communes

Experience with Community based Forest Management Objectives of the AFP 3 Main Objectives: Restore degraded State-owned forest and pasture areas and promote their sustainable use Promote the conservation of natural forest ecosystems Promote steps towards market economy in the forestry/pasture sector

Experience with Community based Forest Management Approach and Rationale Objective Improved State Forest Management Forest Roads Rehabilitation and Maintenance Management of Communal Forest and Pasture Areas Institutional Development

Experience With Community Based Forest Management Objectives of the Communal Forest Component Support of two major policy objectives of GOA Empowering local governments Achieving sustainable increase in productivity of forest and pasture areas Through: Silvo-pastoral management of communal lands in 30 selected communes based on tests in 3 communes Supportive activities: staff, GIS, studies

Experience with Community based Forest Management The Concept of Participatory Management of Natural Resources (1) Note: Component is of experimental nature – participatory management of NR at communal level has been unknown in Albania. Population and administration not prepared for implementation Approach: 1.Selection of interested Communes (30) 2.Identification of forest and pasture areas to be transferred. Mapping of areas and internal borders. GIS entrance. Close collaboration with USAID Project

Experience with Community based Forest Management The Concept of Participatory Management of Natural Resources (2) Continued… 3. Identification of user groups in each Commune (User Associations) 4. Development of a 10 year silvo-pastoral management plan by communal authority and user groups 5. Transfer of forest to Commune on basis of a 10-year lease 6. Support to implementation of Mgt. Plan. Contract between State-Communes-User Groups. Block grants + financial contribution by user groups. 7. Development and establishment of a re-investment mechanism

Experience with Community based Forest Management “Menu” for possible investment activities (Block Grants US$ 30,000) Rehabilitation and improvement of forests: Reforestation of degraded forests Improvement of shrub and degraded oak vegetation through coppicing and temporary protection from livestock Rehabilitation and improvement of pastures Increase of fodder supply through planting of forage trees Organized utilization of pastures (rotation Temporary closing, fencing and planting live hedges Establishing of livestock water wells

Experience with Community based Forest Management Does the Project Achieve Goals? Achievements far beyond expectations! Approach widely accepted and repeated at national level GOA followed suggestion of the Project to establish a new Directorate for Communal Forests and Pastures Forest service decentralized and communal services strengthened (specialized communal foresters Additional 60 Communes included in the project Budget for communal component drastically increased (from US$ 2.2 to more than 4.0 million)

Experience with Community based Forest Management Do villagers accept the project ? (1) In general villagers are responsive to the project – some facts: There is a high degree of community participation in project activities % of families participate in User Groups Interventions have been protected, high survival rate of seedlings Actors are in general participatory and inclusive Opportunity for paid labor income is highly appreciated Interest to participate is very in-homogenous

Experience with Community based Forest Management Do villagers accept the project ? (2) More than 1300 ha of communal forests have been improved and 112 ha have been replanted DGFP reports that the communal forestry program has contributed to reducing illegal logging. The program is highly relevant for the development of the rural sector and for the fight against poverty in Albania.

Experience with Community based Forest Management Perceived problems affecting sustainability (1) Despite positive results there are a number of critical issues to be considered Farmers complain that funds provided for each commune are not sufficient to rehabilitate communal pastures and forests. Pastures and forests are too degraded to produce immediate revenues. 20% of all families are not able to pay fees for using fire wood in the village area. Associations have therefore difficulties to replenish revenue funds.

Experience with Community based Forest Management Perceived problems affecting sustainability (2) There are problems with families which do not participate in the program and extend instead number of grazing animals. Associations need support in marketing of non-timber products. The market for medicinal plants is monopolized Communal forestry management plans are complex and technical and are not prepared in a fully participatory manner. District forest officers are reluctant to fully advise and support associations and are still not convinced of the usefulness of the transfer of user-rights to communes.

Experience with Community based Forest Management Forecast: Risks for long-term project objectives Possible chain reaction: Many farmers hope, through participation, to receive back their traditional family land. This could mark the starting point for forest “restitution” Farmers think that trees planted are free of tariffs Problem of “refused” land persists and sharpens. They are outside project reach Tensions between old and new villagers

Experience with Community based Forest Management Szenario for Development of Land-Ownership in Albania before ’ nowfuture ?