NFP Facility Partnership
Tunisia
The Facility Partnership with Tunisia, established in 2003, has primarily dealt with the development of the nfp and with designing the "Forum National sur les Forêts" (FNF) (National Forum on Forests). A first phase of FNF focused on an analysis of the forest related information needs of stakeholders in the sector, the quality of current exchange of that information, the modalities for collecting and sharing information and the motivations of stakeholders to participate in the FNF. After a comparative study of other forums existing in Tunisia, and a few forest related forums in other countries, a second process resulted in the proposed future FNF (structure, tools, institutional setting and funding needs), which was validated at a national workshop in early 2009.
Overall, the Facility has been instrumental in wakening and organizing a constructive nfp process, based on a coherent sequence of steps: formulation of a national forest policy, and further development of some key instruments to make it operational. In spite of the constraints from the former political regime, the Facility instilled some really participatory approaches. Looking at the “nfp principles”, the Facility impacted mainly “clusters 1 (Country Leadership) and 3 (Participation)”. The main achievements are:
- Participatory development and adoption of the “Programme Forestier National” (PFN), based on a bottom-up process; further dissemination of the PFN document at the national level and internationally;
- Design and validation of the “Forum National sur les Forêts” (FNF), after thorough analysis of similar experiences in the country and elsewhere; the FNF is currently being made operational;
- Economic analysis of the goods and services provided by the forestry sector, using methods adapted to and adopted at the national level;
- Development of the basis for actual involvement of “forest populations” in the management of forest resources, based on a fresh socioeconomic assessment, analysis of relevant experience elsewhere, and further training initiatives at the grassroots level.
Lessons learned:
- Facility support works well when the forestry administration, even if rather traditional, has explicit interest in stakeholder participation, as is the case in Tunisia where the Forestry Department has a Directorate specifically devoted to “forest populations”.
- Facility support becomes very efficient under democratic changes, as was the case in Tunisia where Facility participatory procedures were cautiously developed at the beginning of the partnership and suddenly expanded dramatically under Tunisia’s recent political developments.
Points of Contact
- National Director of Forestry
Ahmed Ridha Fekih Salem, Directeur, Direction générale des forêts - NFP Focal Point
Said Helal, Directeur du Développement Socio-Economique de la Population Forestière - NFP Facility Coach
François Wencélius
01 Jan 2008
Assessment of the nfp
In order to assess the progress and status of the nfp process, the Facility and FAO have designed a matrix to provide a clearer picture of how the country nfp processing are evolving, which elements are well developed and which elements remain weak and in need of further attention. The matrix has been tested in the countries to ensure the relevance of its indicators.
The matrix contains indicators for each phase of the nfp process: analysis, policy formulation, implementation and monitoring and evaluation. The indicators are clustered according to the primary nfp principles: country ownership, inter- and intra-sectoral linkages, partnerships and participation.
The matrix below was completed by stakeholders, in a participatory way, during a national workshop.
Each indicator was rated as follows:
 | the indicator has not been developed |
 | the indicator is absent from the country nfp process |
 | the indicator exists but is incipient |
 | the indicator is progressing well within the country nfp process |
 | the indicator is completed to the country’s full satisfaction - can serve as a model for others to follow |
- Country leadership
Analysis: Assessing the situation of the forest sector and its development
Forest sector review Forest information (in website and other depositories) freely available and accessible to all stakeholders Forestry outlook study Policy formulation: Identifying objectives and priorities and proposing policies and strategies for implementation
Existence of an officially adopted and broadly accepted Forest Policy Statement Nfp coordination mechanism established Mechanisms for decentralised policy debate and feed back are in place Existence of national and sub-national forest development action plans Existence of a financial strategy for sustainable forestry development Existence of subject-specific strategies, e.g. to promote plantations, to combat illegal logging, to control forest fires, etc. Country participation in UNFF and other international or regional forest related meetings Implementation: Implementing policies in accordance with the nfp principles
Recent review or reformulation of forest legislation Capacity building of stakeholders to implement nfp related activities (training programmes of FD, NGOs, private sector representatives, etc) Level of domestic (public and private) funding for national forestry programme related activities to promote sustainable forest management. Donor coordination mechanisms under the leadership of a national institution are in place. Recent institutional reform and/or modernization of forest related institutions and services Efforts to improve law compliance, governance and transparency in the sector Participation in networks, regional and international initiatives to promote sustainable forest management Evidence of contributions to the regional and international forest debate Monitoring and evaluation: Evaluating progress including lessons learned, and making adjustments to improve the nfp; includes knowledge management and information sharing
Regular data collection and assessment/review of forest development action plans National forest program evaluation reports Evidence that lessons learned are used to adjust/improve the process Regularly updated forest information available to support strategic planning of government and others Revised policies, nfp documents and action plan Country implementation of IPF/IFF proposals for action regularly appraised - Inter and intra-sectoral linkages
Analysis: Assessing the situation of the forest sector and its development
Analysis of the consistency of laws and legal prescriptions related to forestry Identification of traditional forest-related knowledge Compilation and analysis of policies, laws, regulations and strategic plans of other sectors that influence forestry Assessment of the role of forests in the national economy (including valuation of its contributions) and the linkages with central issues in other sector strategies Assessment of impact of other sectors on forestry sector development Identification of approaches for intra and inter-sectoral dialogue (working with Ministry of Local Government on Rural Development Project, others are Ministry of Food and Agriculture on Integrated Forest Plantations, etc.) Policy formulation: Identifying objectives and priorities and proposing policies and strategies for implementation
Evidence that inconsistencies in the forest related policy and legal framework have been addressed Harmonization of forest policy with other sector policies and development plans Participation of the forest sector in other sectors’ strategic planning exercises Thematic working groups for policy related discussions Implementation: Implementing policies in accordance with the nfp principles
Recognition of customary laws and traditional rights related to forestry Assessment of contributions of the forest sector to the economy, taking into account the multiple benefits of forest products and services Integration of forestry in national poverty reduction strategies and strategies Joint meetings with other sectors to promote integrated natural resources management (e.g. soil conservation / watershed management) Inter-ministerial or inter-institutional mechanisms to support nfp implementation are in place Coordination with country units/focal points responsible for implementation of international Conventions (CBD, UNCCD, UNFCCC, CITES, etc) Monitoring and evaluation: Evaluating progress including lessons learned, and making adjustments to improve the nfp; includes knowledge management and information sharing
Coordination of nfp monitoring mechanisms with other monitoring mechanisms of poverty reduction and similar development strategies Revision of nfp progress with all relevant stakeholders from within and outside the forest sector Harmonization of revised nfp documents with strategic planning of other sectors - Partnerships and participation
Analysis: Assessing the situation of the forest sector and its development
Stakeholder analysis: identification of stakeholders, their importance/influence Training in use of participatory tools to promote stakeholder participation Existence of qualified staff to conduct participatory processes Policy formulation: Identifying objectives and priorities and proposing policies and strategies for implementation
Mechanisms for stakeholder consultation and participation are established and functional The mechanism of the participatory process is well-known by all relevant stakeholder groups Stakeholders are sufficiently organized to participate in the nfp process. Evidence of participation of non-government stakeholders in the policy formulation process. Stakeholder consultation/meetings or fora to discuss forest policy objectives and priorities Evidence of stakeholder’ initiative to participate in the nfp process High percentage of stakeholders have access to relevant information Stakeholders informed and engaged in the commitments of the country participation in UNFF and other international and regional forest related meetings Implementation: Implementing policies in accordance with the nfp principles
Clarification and definition of roles and responsibilities of forest administration and other stakeholders Existence of mechanisms for dialogue and joint decision making among forestry sector stakeholders Joint forest stakeholder activities (e.g. private-public partnerships) Capacity building of stakeholders in technical and managerial aspects Training in conflict management provided to stakeholders Gender equity issues addressed Public awareness campaigns and information initiatives are being developed. Government supports active participation and institutionalization of non-government stakeholders in national forestry program Existence of multi-sectoral development committees at local level Monitoring and evaluation: Evaluating progress including lessons learned, and making adjustments to improve the nfp; includes knowledge management and information sharing
Sharing of information on progress in nfp implementation among forestry stakeholders Procedures for stakeholder feedback instituted, e.g. stakeholder forum to discuss lessons learned and to review/adjust the nfp process Evaluation of stakeholder participation and satisfaction with the nfp process Awareness of nfp achievements by general public, including information dissemination and adoption of knowledge
Implemented Activities
- September 2011Réaliser un programme de formation des membres des Groupements de développement dans le secteur de l’agriculture et de la pêche (GDAP), opérant dans les régions forestières, en vue d’améliorer leurs capacités d’intervention dans le secteur forestier.
Fondation El Kef pour le Développement régional - January 2011Réaliser une étude d’évaluation économique des biens et services des forêts tunisiennes.
Société des sciences naturelles de Tunisie - January 2011Compléter le Système d’information forestier tunisien, en y intégrant un nouveau volet relatif à l’environnement social et humain des forêts en général, et aux populations forestières en particulier.
Association Nationale du Développement Durable et de la Conservation de la Vie Sauvage - November 2007Réaliser un séminaire national de validation du programme forestier national (PFN) tunisien
Association Nationale du Développement Durable et de la Conservation de la Vie Sauvage - May 2006Réaliser, en région Nord, un atelier de concertation sur le programme forestier national (PFN) tunisien
Association pour la Promotion de l'Emploi et du Logement - May 2006Réaliser, en région Centre, un atelier de concertation sur le programme forestier national (PFN) tunisien
Association Kairouan pour l'Auto Développement - May 2006Réaliser, en région Sud, un atelier de concertation sur le programme forestier national (PFN) tunisien
Association de Soutien à l'Auto-Développement - June 2005Entreprendre l'analyse, l'actualisation et la formulation du programme forestier national (PFN) tunisien
Centre international des technologies de l'environnement - May 2004Faciliter le développement et la mise en oeuvre du Programme forestier national en Tunisie
Direction Générale des Forêts