NFP Facility Partnership
Guatemala
The Partnership Agreement between the NFP Facility and Guatemala was signed in February, 2004. The main objective of the Agreement was to enhance national capacity for dissemination, implementation and monitoring of Guatemala's national forest programme (nfp). NFP Facility support has been focused on the sustaining of national and sub-national processes through studies, debates, networking and proposals for investment and management of forest resources. Support has also been specifically orientated towards improving forestry sector governance in the public, private and community arenas.
In June, 2008, following an assessment and evaluation conducted using the nfp-matrix of the outputs and impacts of the first four years of work, the NFP Facility and Guatemala renewed their commitment to working together on the nfp process by signing a new Partnership Agreement. The objective of this second Agreement is to reinforce the capacities of forestry and forestry related stakeholders in order to strengthen linkages and participation in the nfp. A key component of the new Partnership Agreement will be the implementation of a regular monitoring and evaluation of Guatemala's progress and accomplishments by a monitoring team.
Points of Contact
- National Director of Forestry
Josué Morales, Gerente, Instituto Nacional de Bosques - NFP Focal Point
Josué Morales, Gerente, Instituto Nacional de Bosques - Day-to-day NFP Facility Focal Point
Ogden Rodas, Instituto Nacional de Bosques - NFP Facility Coach
Jhony Zapata
16 Dec 2011
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
- July 2010Fortalecer el proceso de implementación del Programa Forestal Nacional de Guatemala, a través de la revisión y actualización de la Política Forestal del país así como de sus instrumentos de aplicación.
Consejo Nacional de Estándares Nacionales de Manejo Forestal Sostenible para Guatemala - February 2009Fortalecer a los distintos actores del sector forestal, mediante la generación de información estratégica y de herramientas básicas de planificación para alcanzar el desarollo del sector forestal de la Región I, Metropolitana en el marco de la ejecución de las líneas e instrumentos de la Agenda Nacional Forestal (ANF) y de la Política Forestal Nacional de manera incluyente y participativa.
Asociación Forestal Metropolitana - February 2009Fortalecer la gestión comunitaria de los manglares en la implementación del Programa Forestal Nacional (pfn) y su agenda. Caso Piloto en las Reservas Terrritoriales del Estado, en el Municipio de Ocós, departamento de San Marcos.
Asociación de Productores Artesanales de Artículos de Palma - February 2009Fortalecer las capacidades técnicas y de organizaciones de los actores productivos de la ASOFORQ para implementar la Agenda forestal de Guatemala.
Asociación Forestal de Quetzaltenango - February 2009Fortalecer la capacidad de organizacions comunitarias y Consejos Comunitarios de Desarrollo (COCODES) para manejar y conservar los recursos forestales del área de Hawaii en el marco del pfn, con énfasis en los manglares.
Asociación Rescate y Conservación de Vida Silvestre - February 2009Promover la gestión comunal forestal y la compensación por servicios ambientales derivado de bosques en el marco el área sustantiva de servicios ambientales del pnf. Caso piloto Parque Regional Municipal de Reserva Ecológica Cantel.
Federación de Asociaciones Agroforestales, Ambientales y Agroecológicas del Occidente de Guatemala - February 2009Fortalecer las capacidades técnicas y de organización local para el manejo de los recursos naturales y la biodiversidad en el marco del pnf. Caso piloto subcuenca del río Los Achiotes, Reserva de Biosfera Sierra de las Minas, Gualán, Zacapa.
Fundación Defensores de la Naturaleza - February 2009Fortalecer las capacidades administrativas y gerenciales de las Oficinas Forestales y/o Departamentos de Áreas Protegidas y de los actores vinculados al sector forestal, en apoyo a la implementación del pfn en nueve municipalidades del Occidente del país.
Mancomunidad de Municipios Metrópoli de los Altos - February 2009Fortalecer las capacidades de los actores locales para la conservación y gestión comunitaria en el marco del pfn. Caso piloto Reserva Natural "Cerro Sija" del Municipio de San Carlos Sija.
Municipalidad de San Carlos Sija - May 2007Contribuir a generar las herramientas básicas de planificación de la Asociación de la Mesa de Concertación Forestal de Chimaltenango y Sacatepéquez - MECOFOR Región V, para que sea un órgano de consulta a las autoridades competentes, y así facilitar la capacidad de proponer, representativamente, acciones concretas que eleven al máximo el potencial productivo y de conservación del sector forestal de la Región V, encontrando un balance entre el respeto al ambiente y la dignidad humana.
Asociación de la Mesa de Concertación Forestal de Chimaltenango y Sacatepéquez Región V - April 2007Generar las herramientas básicas de planificación para alcanzar el desarrollo forestal de la Región VII y facilitar la capacidad de proponer, representativamente, acciones concretas que eleven al máximo el potencial productivo y de conservación del sector forestal de la Región, encontrando un balance en el respeto al ambiente y la dignidad humana.
Asociación Mesa de Concertación Forestal Región VII - March 2007Contribuir al desarrollo de condiciones sociales y económicas adecuadas en el territorio del Parque Nacional Sipacate-Naranjo, Municipio de La Gomera, Escuintla, para la planificación y abordaje de la conservación y manejo sostenible del ecosistema mangle, mediante la generación de instrumentos de análisis estratégico, desde la perspectiva comunitaria.
Asociación Tercer Milenio - March 2007Fortalecer el sistema jurídico ambiental de Guatemala
Centro de Acción Legal Ambiental y Social de Guatemala - March 2007Generar información estratégica y las herramientas básicas de planificación para alcanzar el desarrollo forestal de la Región IX, en el marco de ejecución de las líneas e instrumentos de la Agenda Nacional Forestal y de la Política Forestal Nacional de manera incluyente y participativa.
Mesa de Concertación y Política Forestal de Sur-Occidente - March 2007Fortalecer el proceso de implementación del Programa Forestal Nacional de Guatemala, creando condiciones para el seguimiento y evaluación de las acciones estratégicas contenidas en la Agenda Nacional Forestal (2003-2012) y de la participación en foros internacionales con relevancia para bosques
Mesa de Concertación y Política Forestal de las Verapaces - January 2007Facilitar la capacidad de proponer, representativamente, acciones concretas que eleven al máximo el potencial productivo y de conservación del sector forestal de la Región III, encontrando un balance en el respeto al ambiente y la dignidad humana.
Cámara de Industra de Guatemala - October 2006Contribuir al desarrollo estratégico y sostenible del sector forestal de la Región VI
Asociación de la Mesa Forestal de Concertación de la Región VI de Occidente - August 2006Diseñar y validar un modelo de gestión integrada de los recursos hídricos de la comunidad Indígena de Palín
Asociación de la Comunidad Indígena de Palín - May 2006Fortalecer la educación forestal en la región de las Verapaces con el fin de que los profesionales y demás personal que labora en actividades forestales
Universidad Rafael Landívar, Facultad de Ciencias Ambientales y Agrícolas - February 2006Propiciar un mayor involucramiento de la sociedad civil en la gestión de los recursos naturales en la zona del Cerro Tuncaj
Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala, Facultad de Agronomía - January 2005Contribuir a mejorar la capacidad técnica y de gestión legal y administrativa de organizaciones comunitarias
Cooperativa Integral Agrícola El Bosque - January 2005Contribuir a desarrollar un programa de capacitación no formal, dirigido a autoridades, instituciones ambientalistas y comunidades organizadas
Asociación de Campesinos Forestales Buena Vista - December 2004Contribuir a la promoción del desarrollo forestal de la región de Las Verapaces
Mesa de Concertación y Política Forestal de las Verapaces - December 2004Contribuir al fortalecimiento del proceso de Administración Forestal Municipal mediante la sistematzación y socialización de la información sobre experiencias nacionales, que promueva la réplica de los casos exitosos
Asociación Nacional de Municipalidades de Guatemala - December 2004Contribuir al fortalecimiento del proceso de certificación forestal en Guatemala
Consejo Nacional de Estándares Nacionales de Manejo Forestal Sostenible para Guatemala