Participatory Forest Management

INTERNATIONAL TRAINING ON PARTICIPATORY FOREST MANAGEMENT
COURSE BACKGROUND

Forests are vital, but their sustainable management often requires involving many different people and groups. “Participatory Forest Management” (PFM) is about including all stakeholders in planning, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating forest activities. However, putting this into practice effectively can be complex, requiring specific skills and knowledge.

ECAS Institute recognizes that bringing stakeholders together is key to sustainable land use and forest health. We aim to build the capacity of professionals in participatory forest management, ensuring that local contexts and diverse perspectives are integrated. This training emphasizes mutual analysis and policy reflection as preconditions for success.

This course is designed to provide both theoretical understanding and practical skills in PFM, with a strong focus on African experiences. Participants will learn how to effectively plan, implement, and evaluate forest management activities collaboratively. By enhancing these skills, ECAS seeks to empower trainees to develop more inclusive and sustainable forest management plans.

COURSE OBJECTIVES OF THE TRAINING

The training aims at building capacities of trainees – theoretical and methodological knowledge and skills – in the fields of participatory forest management (PFM) with the purpose of using the new skills in the development of forest management planning. The course has four main focuses:

  1. Understand the principles of participation in forest management, with a specific emphasis on critically analyzing African solutions.
  2. Learn participatory planning through methods like the logical framework approach, applied to a practice-relevant project.
  3. Observe and understand the implementation of participatory forest management via practical examples in Africa.
  4. Gain knowledge of monitoring and evaluation (M&E) principles and basic instruments, such as SWOT-analysis, reflecting examples from African practice.
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

This 10-day training workshop combines theory, group work, and field excursions to build capacities in participatory forest management (PFM). You will learn:

  • The principles of participation in the field of forest management, with a specific emphasis on critically analyzing African solutions;
  • Participatory planning exemplified by introducing/reiterating the logical framework approach and exemplarily planning and discussing a practice-relevant project over the whole training period;
  • Implementation of participatory forest management shown and observed via practical examples in Africa;
  • Evaluation: Both, the principles of M&E as well as basic instruments, such as the SWOT-analysis, covered, with examples from the African practice reflected and evaluated.
DURATION AND PROGRAM

This is an intensive 10-day training workshop, combining six days of theoretical lectures and group work with an integrated one full-day excursion. The theoretical training will focus on participatory management and systematic reflection of field trips. Participants will visit various forestry institutions and on-site forests in different Kenyan landscapes. The program design allows for trainee involvement in fine-tuning and prioritizing content. The detailed program schedule, including specific session timings and field trip itineraries, will be communicated prior to the training commencement.

TARGET PARTICIPANTS

This course is designed for a range of stakeholders involved in or aspiring to lead forest management initiatives. Individuals who would especially benefit from taking this course include:

  • Forestry practitioners and managers from government agencies, NGOs, and community organizations.
  • Policymakers and planners involved in forest and land use management.
  • Researchers and academics focused on participatory approaches and natural resource governance.
  • Trainers and extension agents working with forest-dependent communities.
  • Representatives of forest user groups and community-based organizations.
TRAINING MODULES

The training is structured around key themes of participatory forest management, combining theoretical concepts with practical application and African experiences:

No Module Details
1. Participatory Forest Management (PFM) This module introduces the overarching concept of PFM, exploring its definition, evolution, and significance in achieving sustainable forest outcomes.

  • Defining Participatory Forest Management (PFM) and its various forms.
  • Historical context and evolution of PFM globally and in Africa.
  • The rationale for PFM: benefits for sustainability, equity, and governance.
  • Challenges and opportunities in implementing PFM.
2. The Concept of Participation This module delves deeper into the fundamental principles of participation, emphasizing critical analysis and practical engagement in the context of forest management.

  • Levels and types of participation (e.g., consultation, collaboration, empowerment).
  • Principles of effective and inclusive participation.
  • Critically analyzing “African solutions” and indigenous knowledge in participation.
  • Techniques for stakeholder mapping and analysis.
  • Facilitating active trainee involvement in program design and prioritization (as practiced in the course).
3. Logical Framework and the Role of Stakeholders This module focuses on participatory planning methodologies, using the Logical Framework Approach (LFA) as a key tool for project design and stakeholder engagement in forest management.

  • Introduction to participatory planning concepts.
  • The Logical Framework Approach (LFA): purpose, structure, and application.
  • Practical exercises in planning a relevant forest management project using LFA.
  • Defining and clarifying the roles and responsibilities of various stakeholders in planning.
4. Climate Change and Adaptation of Forest Management: Support of Decision Making in Policy and Administration This module explores the intersection of climate change with forest management, focusing on how PFM can contribute to adaptation and mitigation, and how decision-making can be supported at policy and administrative levels.

  • Impacts of climate change on forests and forest-dependent communities.
  • Climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies in forestry.
  • Integrating climate change considerations into forest management plans.
  • Role of PFM in supporting climate-smart decision-making in policy and administration.
5.
 Urban Forestry This module examines the specific context and practices of managing forests and trees within urban environments, considering their unique challenges and benefits for urban populations.

  • Definition and importance of urban forestry.
  • Ecosystem services provided by urban forests (e.g., air quality, cooling, recreation).
  • Challenges of urban forest management (e.g., limited space, pollution, competing land uses).
  • Participatory approaches to planning and managing urban green spaces.
6. Good Governance of Forestry Programmes This module focuses on the principles and practices of good governance as applied to forestry programs, essential for ensuring transparency, accountability, and effective resource management.

  • Defining good governance in natural resource management.
  • Key governance principles: transparency, accountability, rule of law, equity, participation.
  • Institutional frameworks for good forestry governance.
  • Addressing corruption and illicit practices in forestry.
7. Negotiation: The Harvard Concept This module introduces participants to effective negotiation strategies, specifically the Harvard Concept of principled negotiation, crucial for resolving conflicts and building consensus among diverse stakeholders in PFM.

  • Introduction to negotiation theory and principles.
  • The Harvard Concept of principled negotiation: focusing on interests, not positions.
  • Strategies for effective communication and active listening in negotiations.
  • Conflict resolution techniques in multi-stakeholder forest management contexts.
8. Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) for PFM This module covers the essential principles and basic instruments for monitoring and evaluating participatory forest management initiatives, using examples from African practice.

  • Principles of monitoring and evaluation (M&E) in development projects.
  • Key M&E instruments: SWOT-analysis, stakeholder feedback mechanisms.
  • Designing participatory M&E frameworks.
  • Reflecting on and evaluating practical examples from African PFM contexts.
  • Using M&E results for adaptive management and learning.
TRAINING STYLE

The modules will be taught through PowerPoint presentations, and lectures and will include a case study/field visit, breakout sessions, case studies and other interactive discussion components.

The course will also include a few guest speakers, both in person and via Zoom and other online learning platforms for overseas speakers. This provides useful real-world insights alongside the more theoretical aspects of the course.

The conference faculty shall consist of experienced decision makers, as well as practitioners and representatives from established educational and research institutions active around climate change, engineering and international development. Throughout the course, theoretical presentation of concepts will be moderated and more group discussions and plenary engagements will be optimized. PowerPoint presentations will be made by facilitators and resource persons, to highlight key concepts before embarking on group work.

GENERAL NOTES
  • Training manuals and additional reference materials are provided to the participants.
  • Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be issued with a certificate.
  • We can also do this as a tailor-made course to meet organization-wide needs. Contact us to find out more: info@ecasiafrica.org.
  • Payment should be sent to our bank account before the start of training and proof of payment sent to: info@ecasiafrica.org.
ABOUT ECAS INSTITUTE

The ECAS Institute designs and delivers independent and targeted training, research, and consulting services. Our work focusses on climate change and resilience building, carbon markets, renewable energy, nature-based solution, biodiversity conservation, agriculture and food systems, We are located in Nairobi Kenya and work across the African region. We have implemented training and research assignments in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, South Sudan, Somalia, Malawi, Rwanda, Congo, and South Africa. Globally, we have supported our partners from the UK, Denmark, Italy, Sweden, Germany, and USA.

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