Eastern Cape is one of the poorest provinces in South Africa, with a Human Development Index of 0.48 (1994). Social indicators for ECP suggest worse than national average performance in literacy, life expectancy and infant mortality. The former homelands of Ciskei and Transkei, which together account for 30% of the area of the Province, contain 70% of ECP's population which is estimated at nearly seven million. Approximately half of the population live in rural areas and 75% of these are estimated to be living below the poverty line. ECP is also the most significant provider of migrant labourers in the country and has the second highest dependency ratio and the highest level of male absenteeism. The ratio of personal income to Gross Geographical Product (GGP) is almost double the South African average, indicating a high dependence of the economies of other provinces.

The target population for the project is therefore characterised by high levels of vulnerability. The project aims to address this vulnerability by removing key constraints which are preventing the rural poor realising the benefits of trees. In rural livelihood systems in ECP, these benefits are significant, particularly in the densely populated areas of the former Ciskei and Transkei. The primary uses within these systems are for domestic fuel and construction materials. Secondary benefits include shelter, shade, fencing, fruit production and improved soil and livestock quality.

There are significant forest and woodland resources within the rangelands throughout the former Ciskei and Transkei in ECP. In the past, support from the administrative authorities has focused on the establishment of community woodlots for the supply of poles and fuelwood and in an attempt to reduce pressure on natural trees. Most of these woodlots are in poor condition and, in the main, benefits have been captured by the authorities (including local and traditional) rather than the wider community. There has been a lack of support for diverse and multi-purpose tree planting in homes, fields, and public areas, to meet a range of needs including fruit, shade, shelter, and supply of building materials.

The project aims to facilitate the efficient and rational provision of services for rural development forestry (RDF) in Eastern Cape Province (ECP). In order to achieve this, the project will focus primarily on assisting the on-going reorientation of the Community Forestry Section (CFS) of the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF). The new forest policy requires DWAF to adopt a community focused approach in the planning and implementation of service provision and promote greater co-ordination between rural service providers. The project will assist the CFS define and rationalise its roles and responsibilities for RDF service provision in ECP, assist in the development of policy and guidelines for the CFS which are sensitive to the new national and provincial priorities; and, through training and capacity building initiatives, equip CFS to implement its approved role.

National policy and institutional framework for rural development forestry (RDF) which optimise economic, social and environmental benefits from forestry.

Effective institutional framework in Eastern Cape.

• Procedures and structures for community-focused planning established in Eastern Cape.
• Arrangements for co-ordinated provincial RDF strategies established between key service providers.
• Exploratory RDF pilot programmes implemented in 3 districts in Eastern Cape.
• A monitoring and evaluation system to support policy development.