Community Driven Development in Natural Resource Management in

Romania

From biodiversity project to country-wide forestry sector reform

Experiences We Want to Share

• Biodiversity projects require CDD approaches to natural resource management

• How participatory biodiversity operations in Romania are leading to:– improving relations between local Governments and

communities

– a sector wide forestry reform operation incorporating CDD approaches

Context

• On-going redefinition of role of the state:– decentralization: expanded roles for local governments but

with reduced budgets– Rural poverty: close link between service delivery and

potential for sustainable development

• Role of forestry in Romania: – macro (economic value) – micro (community impact, targeted rural poverty reduction)

• BUT important threats undermining potential

Map of Forests In SE Europe

Picture of Forest Industry

Economic Importance of Romanian Forests

• 1998 - 5% GDP and 10% exports ($860 million)

• Annual value of all products and services $3.1 billion

• 1980s 4th largest exporter of furniture in Europe and among top 10 in the world (this status lost along with markets in the former Soviet Union)

• Great potential to significantly increase contribution to the national economy and addressing poverty

Romanian Forests and Biodiversity

• Great international significance in terms of biodiversity

• Potential for additional national benefits from tourism, and also research

• Last and largest tracts of virgin and natural forest ecosystems in Europe

Wolf with flower

Brown Bear

Threats to Biodiversity include:

• Unsustainable use of forest resources (timber, grazing, hunting) by local stakeholders—exacerbated by:– poverty– lack of awareness– land restitution– destructive harvesting techniques

• Unplanned development (e.g., construction of private chalets and hotels, “buffer” zone encroachment)

• Displacement of community interests by local elites

Biodiversity: Local-Level Threats and Solutions• Unsustainable use of forest resources

(timber, grazing, hunting) by local stakeholders—exacerbated by:– poverty– lack of awareness– land restitution– destructive harvesting

techniques

• Unplanned development (e.g., construction of private chalets and hotels, “buffer” zone encroachment)

• Displacement of community interests by local elites

• Solutions include:

– Recognition by local stakeholders of economic benefits of sustainable use and planned development

– Activities and processes that promote collective action by stakeholders

Picture of bad forest harvesting

Biodiversity Conservation Initiatives in Romania

Danube Delta Project 1994-2000

Request for 2nd GEF – 1994

Preparation and appraisal of 2nd GEF 1996-1999

Implementation of GEF II 1999-2004

•CDD approaches to protected area management

linked to:

•opportunities for sustainable development

Recognition of threats:

Participatory tools and approaches

initiated

National Biodiversity Strategy 1995-1996

Forests in Romania with BD sites

Important Tools and Approaches - three steps

• Facilitated, systemic participatory process to empower and assist counterpart team to prepare their own project

• Stakeholder analysis (by counterparts)

• CDD approaches to planning and implementation by counterparts

Initial Influence and Final Impact of Project on Different Stakeholder Groups

INFLUENCE

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Influence of Project at the beginning of implementation Impact by project completion

Influence will not change during project implementation

Vehicles for Local Participation and CDD in the Biodiversity Project

• Protected area planning - including participation of local stakeholders. This entails:– meetings between local governments, park staff and community

representatives/whole community

– technical planning meetings with park staff

– formation of village committees and user groups

• Small grants program - to catalyze CDD that is linked with conservation - Designed and managed by local stakeholders

• Forest Authorities new role as agents of change

Process for Participatory Design of the Small Grants Programs

Month: 1 2 3 4 5 6Initial stakeholder discussions xxxxIdentify target groups xxxxCommunity outreach and mobilizationplan:

- design- implementation

xxxxxx

Decide on grant allocation mechanism xxxxIdentify eligible sub-project types xxxxEstablish community contributionrequirements xxxxIdentify supporting NGOs/technicalagencies

xxxx

Prepare first draft of Operational Manual xxxxDevelop training plan for NGOs/technicalagencies xxxxImplement training plan forNGOs/technical agencies

xxxx

Public meetings to present draftOperational Manual

xxxx

Finalize Operational Manual xxxxDesign financial control system/MIS xxxxSubmit Operational Manual forMinistry/World Bank approval xxxxPut in place financial control system/MIS xxxx

Benefits for Communities

• Economic – Income derived from involvement in park management, e.g.,

guiding and education, increased markets for cottage industries, rural and eco-tourism, and sustainable resource use (forest and pastures, etc.)

• Social – Improved relations between local governments and resource

managers (park authorities and communities, etc.)--responsiveness and accountability

– Greater involvement and control over decisions that affect daily lives--empowerment

Forestry Sector - ThreatsPotential for unsustainable harvesting and management

due to:

• Restitution of up to half all forest land to more than half a million new private individuals in the absence of adequate Government, industry and community based structures to ensure sustainable use.

• Privatization and reform of State forest management functions

• Incentives for unsustainable harvesting, including removal of control on log exports

• All at the same time!

Biodiversity Conservation Initiatives Forestry Sector Reform

Danube Delta Project 94-2000

Request for 2nd GEF - 1994

Preparation of 2nd GEF 95-98

Implementation of GEF II 1999-2004

CDD approaches to protected area management

linked to:

opportunities for sustainable economic and social

development

COMMUNITIES

Development of forestry sector vision and strategy

1999

National Forest Policy 2000

Forestry projectincluding Forest Owners’ Associations 2001-2006

Threats:Restitution process

Introduction of market reforms

Recognition of threats:

Participatory tools and

approaches initiated

Forestry: Threats and Solutions

• Threats - Potential unsustainable harvesting and management due to:

– Unplanned restitution of up to half all forest land to more than half a million new private individuals

– Privatization and reform of State forest management functions

– Incentives for unsustainable harvesting, including removal of control on log exports

• CDD Solutions supported by project

– Inform new owners of opportunities and obligations

– Form new forest owners associations and private management organizations

– Advisory and extension services for forest owners and new forest industries.

– Availability of credit for rural enterprises (separate operation)

Conclusions and Lessons

• Success of biodiversity project reliant on CDD approaches to land and natural resource use planning and management

• Success of CDD approaches reliant on:– leadership by counterpart team equipped with practical

skills in participatory techniques and processes– flexible framework responsive to stakeholder needs– taking the time to get it right

• Skills and concepts acquired can be transferable to sector wide reform operations at the national and local level

• Success of sector wide forestry reform is also reliant on CDD