NFP Facility Partnership
Malawi
The Partnership Agreement between the NFP Facility and Malawi was finalized in September 2002. A small grant from the Facility was initially allocated to the Department of Forestry (i) to involve traditional authorities and village communities in the ongoing implementation of the nfp, under three consultative regional workshops of which two took place in 2002; and (ii) to prepare a full partnership with the Facility. Based on this consultation and preparation, Malawi submitted a Concept Note which was accepted by the Facility. The objective of the agreement is to strengthen the implementation mechanism of Malawi's nfp through: i) skills development and information sharing; ii) mobilization of community action in support of sustainable forest management, iii) provision of a forum for decentralization and devolution in the forestry sector and iv) the conducting of strategic studies. An NGO has been tasked with coordinating nfp activities in Malawi called the Coordination Unit for the Rehabilitation of the Environment (CURE).
Points of Contact
- National Director of Forestry
Dr. Dennis Kayambazinthu, Director, Forestry Department - NFP Focal Point
Mr. Kasizo Z. Chirambo, Principal Forestry Officer - Day-to-day NFP Facility Focal Point
Mr. Christopher Mwambene, Executive Director, CURE - NFP Facility Coach
Michael Chihambakwe
13 Sep 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
- April 2011Support of the development of a strategy and implementation plan to resuscitate the NFP Forum and the Forestry Management Board.
CURE (Coordination Unit for the Rehabilitation of the Environment) - April 2011To review the Malawi National Forestry Program in light of the current issues in forest management and assess its implementation and impact on the livelihoods of the rural communities and management of the forests.
Forestry Research Institute of Malawi - April 2011To support the development of information exchange and sharing among partners in the Malawi NFP process.
Wildlife and Environmental Society of Malawi - April 2011In support of the reviewing of the monitoring and evaluation of and including data collection for the implementation of Malawi’s NFP.
Mzuzu Univeristy - April 2011To draft the Malawi Country Forestry Assistance Paper outlining investment opportunities and the visibility of the forestry sector.
Mzuzu Univeristy - April 2011ISupport of the development of strategies that enhance law compliance, governance and transparency in the forestry sector in Malawi.
Centre for Environmental Policy and Advocacy - April 2011Support of enhancing the capacity of district technical staff (government and NGO’s) to implement Malawi’s NFP.
Natural Resources College of Malawi - January 2011Support coordinating and facilitating the Partnership activities in Malawi.
CURE (Coordination Unit for the Rehabilitation of the Environment) - June 2010To support the enhancing of stakeholder participation in Malawi's national forestry programme.
CURE (Coordination Unit for the Rehabilitation of the Environment) - February 2009Support the development of strategies aimed at addressing the wood energy deficit in Malawi through sustainable forest management.
Bunda Forestry and Horticulture Department, University of Malawi - February 2009Identifying necessary policy interventions and future options for commercial forestry development by Malawi's private commercial sector
Training Support for Partners - October 2008Convening the Malawi NFP for All workshop
CURE (Coordination Unit for the Rehabilitation of the Environment) - March 2008Support of coordinating the Facility activities in Malawi.
CURE (Coordination Unit for the Rehabilitation of the Environment) - December 2006Launch the Facility Partnership in Malawi.
Department of Forestry, Malawi - September 2002Launching the nfp Facility partnership process in Malawi
Department of Forestry, Malawi