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Developing Innovative Management and Financing Models for the Forests of The Democratic Republic of Congo

This project will explore new models for the conservation and sustainable management of the forests of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and for financing these activities.

A number of organisations are developing proposals for implementation and testing within the DRC. This project is aimed at enabling wide consultation on these proposals to ensure that they will be effective and feasible, and if appropriate, to move towards their testing and implementation on the ground. It also seeks to encourage debate about the best options for the country's forest sector.

This is being undertaken through a process of research and dialogue. Two international workshops were organised to discuss these issues, the first at Chatham House in December 2007 and the second in Kinshasa in June 2008.

A peer review process has been established, managed by the Centre for International Forestry Research (CIFOR), to assess the scientific soundness, feasibility and effectiveness of the proposals. This is guided by a set of core principles developed as part of this process.

This project builds on the work of a Roundtable, established in 2006 by the UK's Department for International Development (DFID) which examined the experiences of other countries in implementing innovative models for forest management and financing, and sought to identify those options with potential for the DRC.

Recent Meetings

• Chatham House Workshop, 17-18 December 2007
• Kinshasa Workshop, 23-24 June 2008

Recent Papers

The core principles:

• Overarching Principles for Innovative Management and Financing Mechanisms for the Forests of the Democratic Republic of Congo
• Principes fondamentaux pour une gestion innovante et des mécanismes de financement des forêts de la République Démocratique du Congo

Report of the CIFOR coordinated peer review:

• Alternative Models and Finance Mechanisms for Sustainable Forest Use in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Latest research report in English and French:

• Towards Sustainable Management and Financing of the Democratic Republic of Congo's Forests
• Comment Parvenir à une Gestion et un Financement Durables des Forets en République Démocratique du Congo

Contacts

Alison Hoare, Research Fellow, Energy, Environment and Development Programme
Email Alison Hoare

Muzong Kodi, Research Fellow, Africa Programme
Email Muzong Kodi