NFP Facility Partnership
Lesotho
The Partnership Agreement between the NFP Facility and Lesotho was finalized in September 2003. The primary objective of the partnership is to review and revive the nfp so that it may serve as the forum for addressing the development and sustainable management of Lesotho's forest resources. Some of the activities undertaken under the Agreement are: (i) a study to determine the attitudes towards forestry in rural Basotho; (ii) a study to identify the UNFF and IPF Proposals relevant to Lesotho that could be incorporated into Lesotho's new National Forestry Policy; (iii) a study to identify the necessary elements for creating an effective private forestry sector; and (iv) production of a forestry promotion film. Additionally, the NFP Facility has supported training and capacity building through stakeholder workshops on conflict management and enhancing stakeholder participation in nfps. Lesotho has also utilized Facility support to review its National Forest Policy and National Forest Programme.
In September 2010, Lesotho convened a planning workshop to draft a 2nd Partnership Agreement to begin starting in early 2011. The activities for the second Partnership will focus on country wide awareness of the new Forest Policy and the NFP. It will also build the capacity of communities, community based organizations and the government to implement the nfp.
Points of Contact
- National Director of Forestry
Mr. Elias S. Sekaleli - NFP Focal Point
Mr. Elias S. Sekaleli Director of Forestry - Day-to-day NFP Facility Focal Point
Mr. Elias S. Sekaleli - NFP Facility Coach
Michael Chihambakwe
17 Aug 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 2011Disseminate the stakeholders' Training of Trainers in the northern and southern regions of Lesotho in order to enhance their participation in Lesotho NFP.
Federation of Women Lawyers - June 2011Disseminate Lesotho’s National Forestry Programme and the National Forestry Policy to key policy makers in the northern and southern regions of Lesotho.
Serumula Development Association - November 2010Support the coordination and facilitation of the Partnership activities in Lesotho.
Forestry Department Lesotho - March 2009Increasing understanding about collaborative conflict management
Lesotho Council of Non-Governmental Organisations - January 2009Strengthening stakeholder participation in forestry at the local and community level
Rural Self Help Development Association - December 2008Improving the forestry curricula at the Lesotho Agricultural College
Serumula Development Association - December 2008Promoting existing and potential agro-forestry systems in Lesotho
Lesotho Workcamps Association - December 2007Support the awareness promotion and launch of the Lesotho National Forestry Programme.
Forestry Department Lesotho - March 2007Enhancing the private forestry sector's contribution to nfp implementation and the national economy
Lesotho Council of Non-Governmental Organisations - June 2005Assessing and improving the forestry and environmental education in primary and secondary schools in Lesotho
Lesotho College of Education - June 2005Producing a promotional video film about forestry livelihoods in Lesotho
Lesotho Association of Videopros - June 2005Identifying the forestry activities carried out by NGOs, CBOs, and the private sector in Lesotho
Lesotho Council of Non-Governmental Organisations - May 2005Determining the attitudes of the Basotho people about forestry and improving promotional activities, forest policies and legislation
World Vision Lesotho - May 2004Supporting the execution of Lesotho's national forestry programme activities
Forestry Department Lesotho
Implemented Activities
- April 2010Workshop on enhancing stakeholder participation in Lesotho's national forest programme