NFP Facility Partnership
Paraguay
In August 2003, the NFP Facility and Paraguay entered into a first Partnership Agreement. The primary objective of the first Agreement was to support the effective implementation of the National Forest Action Plan and to continue the coordination and harmonization process initiated by the Mesa Forestal Nacional.
In 2009, following an assessment and evaluation conducted using the nfp-Matrix of the outputs and impacts of the first six years of work, the nfp Facility and Paraguay renewed their commitment for working together on the national forest programme process by signing a new Partnership Agreement. A primary goal of the new Agreement is to work with community organizations in Paraguay that are depended on forests and forestry activities. In addition, a key component of the new Partnership Agreement will be the regular monitoring and evaluation of Paraguay's progress and accomplishments with the support of a monitoring team.
Points of Contact
- National Director of Forestry
Luís Gustavo Torales, Presidente, Instituto Forestal Nacional - NFP Focal Point
Damiana Mann, Instituto Forestal Nacional de Paraguay - Day-to-day NFP Facility Focal Point
Damiana Mann, Instituto Forestal Nacional de Paraguay - NFP Facility Coach
Jorge Meza
12 Jun 2009
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 2010Contribuir a la participación informada de los actores clave, en el proceso de implementación del programa nacional forestal, identificando con dichos actores, problemas o falencias y propuestas de optimización de la normativa legal e institucionalidad aplicables para un aprovechamiento forestal sostenible.
Insituto de Derecho y Economía Ambiental - December 2009Preparar e implementar de un Sistema de Extensión Forestal a los Socios de la Cooprose como un mecanismo participativo comunitario que promueva el involucramiento de los actores claves, creando educación y conciencia suficientes para el abordaje y la toma de decisiones personales y colectivas relativas al desarrollo forestal sustentable de la región involucrada
Coordinadora de Productores de Sésamo - December 2009Lograr el reconocimiento de la política forestal nacional, consensuada en el ámbito de concertación de la Mesa Forestal Nacional, como una política de Estado y promoverlo a nivel nacional para facilitar su ejecución mediante la implementación del Plan Estratégico Institucional 2009 – 2013 del INFONA
Mesa Forestal Nacional - December 2009Para el fortalecimiento de las capacidades instaladas en la Microcuenca Santa Ana (Distrito Alto Verá, Itapúa) para encauzar la gestión agroforestal sustentable por actores claves, con miras a mejorar su calidad de vida e inserción de este proceso en el marco de la implementación del pfn.
Sociedad Paraguaya para la Protección de la Naturaleza - December 2009Para consolidar las organizaciones civiles de carácter gremial/productivo que actualmente existen en los departamentos de Concepción, San Pedro, Caaguazu y Canindeyu, a través del Proyecto de Fortalecimiento de la Capacidad de Actores Claves del Sector Forestal.
Federación Paraguaya de Madereros del Interior - December 2009Para la preparación de un Plan Estratégico Forestal y estrategias de fomento forestal para las cooperativas agremiadas en la Federación.
Federación de Cooperativas de Producción - December 2009El reconocimiento y adopción participativa de una metodología de gestión de información para las entidades y actores forestales claves como apoyo a la implementación gradual del Sistema Nacional de Información
Guyrá Paraguay - September 2008Promover mecanismos de participación intersectorial, que permitan consensuar una estrategia válida y ágil de fiscalización forestal y la reglamentación en forma participativa del INFONA.
Fundación Moises Bertoni - March 2008Contribuir a generar condiciones de desarrollo económico integral, preservando el ambiente, consolidando la seguridad alimentaria y logrando el arraigo definitivo de las familias campesinas instaladas en la Colonia Yaguareté, en coordinación con el Instituto Nacional de Desarrollo Rural y de la Tierra (INDERT), en su carácter de administrador de las colonias rurales del país.
Centro de Desarrollo Regional y Medio Ambiente - March 2008Contribuir a fortalecer la formación de técnicos forestales, a través de la reformulación y diseño de carreras técnicas en el área de la producción y protección forestal, de modo de responder a las necesidades de desarrollo del sector forestal del país
Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, (Universidad Nacional Asunción) - March 2008Contribuir a generar un documento de análisis de la rentabilidad del subsidio estatal a las plantaciones forestales y una propuesta para legislar acerca del “vuelo forestal”.
Mesa Forestal Nacional - March 2008Contribuir con el desarrollo sustentable del sector forestal en Paraguay a través de la promoción para la conformación de cooperativas forestales.
Federación Paraguayana de Madereros - May 2007Vincular los servicios forestales ambientales en las estrategias de desarrollo nacional de Paraguay
Insituto de Derecho y Economía Ambiental - May 2007Diseñar participativamente un Sistema Nacional de Información Forestal para el Servicio Forestal Nacional, aplicable a la realidad de Paraguay
Guyrá Paraguay - April 2007Iniciar en la Reserva de Recursos Manejados Yvytyrusu un proceso de planificación participativa para la protección de las nacientes y cursos de agua
Alter Vida - Centro de Estudios y Formación para el Ecodesarrollo - April 2007Aplicar estrategias para la gestión sustentable de los bosques y territorios proveedores de agua en comunidades de los distritos de Sapucai y Escobar, Departamento de Paraguari, en la Región Central del Paraguay.
Apoyo Integral a Comunidades Nativas y Ecosistemas - May 2006Generar una propuesta actualizada y concertada de la política forestal nacional y de las normativas forestales
Mesa Forestal Nacional - May 2005Diseño de un Sistema Nacional de Información Forestal aplicable a la realidad de Paraguay
Servicio Forestal Nacional - December 2004Fortalecimiento de la capacidad de los pequeños y medianos productores para la reconversión de tierras agrícolas de aptitud forestal a sistemas agrosilvopastoriles en el Dpto. de San Pedro, Paraguay
Servicio Agrario de Tecnología y Organización Comunitaria