NFP Facility Partnership
Benin
The Partnership Agreement between the NFP Facility and Benin was finalized in October 2007. The main objective of the Partnership is to support Benin in development of a full-fledged national forest programme, through a public debate on the sustainable management of forest resources. Proposed activities under the Partnership include: (i) establishment of a framework for stakeholder consultation, through identification of key actors and partners, awareness raising about forest policy issues, and organization of consultative mechanisms; (ii) convening of thematic workshops and carrying out of studies on a wide range of topics, including reforestation, wildlife management, certification and funding mechanisms; (iii) enhancement of the capacities of all forestry government and non-government actors to develop skills such as strategic thinking, negotiation, planning and management; (iv) development, validation, adoption and publicizing of the new nfp; and (v) mobilization of all relevant stakeholders for the implementation of the nfp, including through information sharing and lobbying initiatives, development of innovative funding mechanisms and organization of donor round tables.
Points of Contact
- National Director of Forestry
Théophile Kapko, Directeur général des forêts et des ressources naturelles, Direction des forêts et des ressources naturelles - NFP Focal Point
Théophile Kapko, Directeur général des forêts et des ressources naturelles, Direction des forêts et des ressources naturelles - Day-to-day NFP Facility Focal Point
Fiacre Codjo Ahononga, Ingenieur Agronome et Forestier - NFP Facility Coach
Atse Yapi
01 Jul 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
- October 2011Assurer l’élaboration du plan de financement du Programme National de Gestion Durable des Ressources Naturelles (PNGDRN)
Institut Africain d’Application des Méthodes de Développement - September 2011pour assurer la planification, la coordination et le suivi-évaluation des activités du Mécanisme, y compris l’organisation des sessions de travail du Comité Directeur National Pluripartite (CDNP), le suivi et l’évaluation de la mise en œuvre du partenariat établi entre la République du Bénin et le Mécanisme.
Direction générale des forêts et des ressources naturelles (DGFRN), Ministère de l'Environnement et de la Protection de la Nature - August 2011pour l’élaboration et la validation de la nouvelle politique forestière du Bénin.
Association pour la Protection des Forêts Naturelles du Bénin - August 2011pour l’édition et la vulgarisation du décret fixant les modalités de conservation, de développement et de gestion durable de la faune et de ses habitats en République du Bénin.
Association pour Etudes et Réalisation des Aménagements en Milieu Rural - August 2011pour l’élaboration du plan d’action de mise en œuvre de la Stratégie nationale de gestion des feux de végétation du Bénin.
RALDI-ONG - August 2011pour l’élaboration de la stratégie intégrée de promotion de plantations privées de production de bois-énergie au Bénin.
REV-Développement - January 2010Elaboration de textes d'application de la loi 97-029 du 15 janvier 1999, portant organisation des communes en République du Bénin.
Institut Africain d’Application des Méthodes de Développement - January 2010Capitalisation et documentation des acquis et innovations de recherche pour la gestion durable des ressources forestières en République du Bénin.
Centre d’Etudes, de Recherches et de Formation Forestières - January 2010Elaboration et la diffusion d'outils de planification et de suivi évaluation des activités de gestion des ressources naturelles à chaque niveau de déconcentration et des services décentralisés.
METAMORPHOSE Sarl - January 2010Renforcer les compétences techniques des structures de cogestion, des Elus locaux et des ONGs pour améliorer l'appui-conseil et l'organisation des communautés à la base en matière de gestion participative des forêts et des ressources naturelles.
AFAEPE-ONG (Alphabétisation, Formation des adultes et Education pour la Protection de l’Environnement) - January 2010(i) Déterminer l'importance socio-économique des ressources forestières au plan local au Bénin afin de susciter l'intérêt des politiques et stratégies de développement local pour la gestion durables de leurs ressources naturelles ;(ii) Valoriser les informations de l'Inventaire Forestier National (IFN) à tous les niveaux des services décentralisés de la Direction Générale des Forêts et des Ressources Naturelles (DGFRN).
GROUPE AFRITURIBLE INTERNATIONAL (GAI) Sarl - October 2008Assurer la planification et coordination des activités du Mécanisme, y compris l'organisation de sessions de travail du Comité Directeur National Pluripartite (CDNP), le lancement d'appels à proposition à l'endroit des organisations de la société civile, le suivi et l'évaluation de la mise en œuvre du partenariat établi entre la République du Bénin et le Mécanisme.
Direction générale des forêts et des ressources naturelles (DGFRN), Ministère de l'Environnement et de la Protection de la Nature