EU-NGOs Case Study
This project “Improving forestland governance to foster sustainable development in Georgia” contributed to improved forestland governance through actions such as:
- Evaluating forestland governance in Georgia;
- Awareness raising on responsible forestland governance and sustainable forestry development;
- Building and maintaining alliances for effective advocacy efforts; and
- Media outreach.
The Assessment of forestland governance was based on the Indicator Framework elaborated by the Governance of Forests Initiative (GFI) of the World Resource Institute to identify strengths and weaknesses in forest governance. Based on best practices, the Guidebook on responsible land governance (FAO Guidelines (2012) adapted to the Georgian context), the Policy brief on a specific policy area (mining in forest areas) and the White paper on “Categorization forestlands of Georgia” (based on MCPFE recommendations) were prepared. The above-mentioned publications, together with seminars, meetings and round tables, helped to harmonize sector policies and coordination of various institutions in charge of land use and forestry governance. Thus, the project provided incentives for reducing the pressures and competition between land use systems and resolution of conflicts related to the forestland governance. The project improved NGOs/CSOs capacity to effectively participate in decision-making processes related to forest governance. It also contributed to development of Governmental agencies’ and other stakeholders’ capacity to address land use and forest issues: the Ministry of Environment, the State Audit Office and other state agencies benefitted from seminars, trainings, recommendations and publications/research results elaborated during the project. As a result of discussions and advocacy work within this project, the Ministry of Environment accepted the forest categorization scheme proposed by Green Alternative. Based on this categorization system, the Ministry elaborated the draft law “Forest Code of Georgia”. Green Alternative’s recommendations related to the improvement of civil society participation mechanisms were also accepted by the Ministry and reflected in draft laws.
