Implementing Agency:
Department For International Development (LACAD)

Project Code: 098-502-002	Start Date: 14-Dec-92	End Date: 31-Dec-97
Commitment: £1,373,000	Status: Awaiting Confirmation of Completion Type of Funding Bilateral - TC

Project Background:
The executive summary of the Tropical Forestry Action Plan (TFAP) emphasised the Government's commitment to the declaration and conservation of protected areas, with full participation of the communities living in the protected areas. These protected areas will be declared based on the biological diversity and degree of species endemism present. The proposed project will be working within communities within the areas of influence of two protected areas, both of which satisfy Government criteria.

The Government has stated in the TFAP that all forestry operations will be based on the concept of sustained yield management, with exploitation plans sanctioned by the forestry authorities. This in practice is not happening and exploitation of tropical forest advances at an alarming rate, with scant regard for appropriate land use or sustainability.

The Awa project is an innovative attempt to achieve these stated objectives and thus fits in well with the country development policy in the forestry sector relating to community management on a sustainable basis.

Ecuador is participating in the pilot phase of the Forest Accounting Project, an ITTO project that aims to map forest cover and quality of forest management.

Project Objectives:
To create a model of community-based sustainable forest management, with a financially viable marketing system for sustainably managed timber, thus protecting the forests of 10 communities. The ultimate goal of the project is the preservation of biodiversity and improved and sustainable incomes for forest dwellers.

Intended Outputs:
Strengthened community managemnet structures and capabilities in 10 communities

A self-financing commercial unit able to carry out the following funcitions:

*technical input into the preparation, execution and monitoring of management plans.

*supervision of timber conversion, treatment, and grading.

*management of timber exports.

*support and strengthening of community structures.

8 new management plans developed and approved.

Improved timber quality.

Rotating fund operating and rotating.

Creating of financially independent project unit.

Marketing study to determine market prospects for sustainably managed timber.

Exports of sustainably managed timber from 10 project communities established.

Monitoring system in place and operational in the following areas:

*ecological monitoring

*financial monitoring

*quality control

*marketing

*socio-economic status of the communities.

Evaluation of the performance of theTrekkasaw.