B7-6201/97-05/VIII/FOR "Promotion of sustainable forest management and certification in timber producing countries of the Congo Basin - 2nd Phase" by WWF-International

Objective : Contribute to the creation and building of capacity of multi-stakeholder working groups in the development and management of certification systems.

Beneficiaries : Ministry staff, decision makers, civil society, and NGOs in Gabon and Cameroon

Results : Consolidated multi-stakeholder framework on sustainable forest management and certification in three countries of the Congo Basin : Cameroon, Gabon and Congo and 1 or 2 pilot certification projects in each of the different countries.

Activities : Coordinate with the key-stakeholders in Cameroon, including the Government to define mandate and tasks of the National Working Group (NWG). Identify industrialists and community forestry projects. Provide a preliminary cost-benefit analysis on certification. Support communities to establish and implement community forest management plans and build up certifiability of community. Assist the National Working Groups in integrating their work in the discussion on the draft criteria produced. Support NWG's adaptation of the standards and their relations with ATO through regular information exchange. Support exchange of information between Cameroonese, Gabonese, European and other African NGOs. Organise trainimng for members of NWG on standards, accreditation, and forest management plans. Identify candidates in the region to become certifying organisations. Organise and execute appropriate training by experienced certifiers and accredited organisations. Consult with main stakeholders in different countries in Southern Europe. Support the creation of a buyers' group in Spain and in France.

Coordination : Co-financing with Dutch NEDA; Forest Certification Advisory Group