Implementing Agency:
Department For International Development (EPD)

Managing Institute:
Commonwealth Secretariat

Contractor:
Mentz International Trading and Investment Ltd

Project Code: 781-620-154	Start Date: 01/07/1996	End Date: 31/03/1998
Commitment: £32,624	Status: Awaiting Confirmation of Completion	Type of Funding: Bilateral - TDR

Project Background:
The Iwokrama Programme, which was launched under the Commonwealth's auspices in 1990, is a unique international enterprise to develop more effective methods for the sustainable management of tropical forest and biodiversity both in Guyana and worldwide. The Government of Guyana has set aside about 360,000 hectares of virgin rainforest (the Iwokrama Reserve) for the Programme. In March 1996 a Bill was enacted by Guyana's Parliament guaranteeing the autonomy of the Reserve and the International Centre for Rainforest Conservation and Development which is responsible for managing it.

A high priority is being given to expansion of Iwokrama's Donor Support Group in order to mobilise the core funding the Iwokrama Centre needs in order to become financially sustainable. A medium-term Operational Plan (1996-2000) for Iwokrama has already been prepared. However, discussions with donor agencies have revealed an urgent need for a Business Plan which identified, with greater clarity and specificity, the Programme's core funding requirements; the manner in which resources will be deployed to achieve outputs within a specific time frame; and anticipated income from Iwokrama's own income-generating activities (from sustainable utilisation of forest resources).

At its first meeting in Georgetown (13-15 January 1997), Iwokrama's Board of Trustees considered a paper by the consultant which presented a framework for Iwokrama's Business Plan (indicating its desired scope, structure and content) and identified the further steps necessary to complete a Business Plan for Iwokrama. The Board broadly endorsed the consultant's recommendations and agreed that a complete Business Plan should be prepared for the Board's consideration and eventual circulation to potential donor agencies by the end of April 1997.

Project Objectives:
To prepare a complete business plan for Iwokrama which, along with other documents, can be presented to donor agencies preparatory to convening a meeting of an expanded Iwokrama Donor Support Group in June 1997.

Intended Outputs:
A Business Plan, which should:

* be consistent with the Iwokrama Centre's Mission statement and take account of work already done on Iwokrama's Operational Plan (1996-2000).

* identify the Centre's basic minimum requirements for core funding during the period 1998-2007, with adjustments made for inflation and contingencies.

* make detailed and properly justified projections of Iwokrama's core funding requirements and income-generating opportunities.

* indicate how the Iwokrama Centre could achieve a substantial degree of self-sufficiency in regard to core funding over a period of 10 years.

* show how Iwokrama will enable Guyana to improve the management of its entire forest estate for the benefit of sustainable development.

* suggest broadly how the Iwokrama Centre would develop model partnerships with the private sector - both in Guyana and abroad - in order to promote the sustainable and equitable use of forest resources and biodiversity.