An external evaluation of the ‘Embedding community Real Time Monitoring (RTM) to sustain livelihoods and forests in West and Central Africa’ project took place between October 2020 and January 2021. This project, funded by the UK government, seeks to improve forest governance in Cameroon, Ghana, DRC and Republic of Congo by strengthening of forest communities’ participation in forest management processes and the increased sustainability of forest resources. The report by Futureproof Ideas provides insights into how this project has improved forest management, law enforcement and transparency in the target areas, whilst highlighting important questions surrounding community incentives, participation and sustainability which will inform the next phase of this work.
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A new study by Action pour la promotion et protection des peoples et espèces menacées (APEM) and the Rainforest Foundation UK (RFUK) finds that one of the world’s highest profile emissions reductions programmes is failing to uphold social safeguards, deliver local benefits, or prevent deforestation.
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This RFUK report charts way to better inclusion of forest communities in Congo Basin land use planning processes.
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The laws in the Republic of Congo and the Central African Republic provide limited protection to indigenous peoples and local communities regarding access to land and forest resources. Often, logging concessions overlap their territories, restricting access to lands and resources. However, the development of community forests is gaining momentum in the region. These can help secure customary tenure, sustainably manage resources and improve livelihoods for indigenous peoples and local communities (IPLCs). As part of the DFID-funded CoNGOs project, the Forest Peoples Programme and Rainforest Foundation UK supported communities in the Republic of Congo (RoC) and the Central African Republic (CAR) to engage in community forestry and secure equitable and sustainable livelihoods.
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Based on a literature review and field research with communities in Equateur province, this study provides an overview of gender inequalities in the context of community forestry in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It also puts forward recommendations for improving women’s participation in community forestry activities.
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A process to test the legal framework on community forests is currently underway in CAR. For more than two years, local and indigenous communities have been supported by civil society in applying for the allocation of the pilot community forests. The process developed by those involved has been documented to provide a basis for a review of the legal framework. This report presents the context, challenges, opportunities and lessons learnt during the pilot experiences.
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