Within the forestry sector in Guyana and Suriname, ongoing efforts by national institutions, multi-lateral and bilateral aid agencies (World Bank, DFID/UK, CIDA/Canada, DGIS/Netherlands, and UNDP) have led to significant policy development and institutional strengthening in the forest sector (SBB & NIMOS, in Suriname, GFC & EPA in Guyana).
In general, efforts have been directed at improving technical aspects of forest management, enforcement and the development of forest concession leasing models. Under this component of the WWF Guianas project, additional policy issues concerning overall land-use planning, capital investment needs of national producers and processors, incentives for foreign investors, and financial return to the central government and local communities are addressed.Opening policy development to broad stakeholder involvement is recognized as a necessary step for the sustainable development of the forest sector. In Suriname, both SBB and NIMOS have developed proposals towards this end. In Guyana, GFC and EPA are developing similar efforts.
As these proposals are finalized and approved by their respective donors, more specific plans will be made for enhancing grass-roots stakeholder participation. In both cases, the development of Certification Working Groups has already brought together key stakeholder representatives and led to improved understanding and mutual respect.
They provide a solid basis for increased participation. Project activities in this component are aimed at improving grass-roots stakeholders’ capacity to analyze forest sector issues, develop analytic tools, for more and effective participation in the consultations and the development of user-friendly database and resource maps.
NIMOS: Nationaal Instituut voor Milieu en Ontwikkeling in Suriname (National Institute for Environment and Development in Suriname)
SBB: Suriname Forest Control Foundation (Stichting Bosbeheer en Bostoezicht)
GFC: Guyana Forestry Commission
EPA: Environmental Protection Agency (Guyana)
