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The campaigning NGO for greater environmental and social justice, with a focus on forests and forest peoples rights in the policies and practices of the EU
How to influencethe VPA process effectively and contribute to its implementation
Lessons learned
8th FLEGT Coordination meeting
9 October 2013Indra Van Gisbergen
Influencing the VPA process
Each phase = opportunity for civil society influence future of forests and communities
Challenge for civil society = get ready, get involved, and make the most of the opportunity
FERN supports national NGOs/platforms to participate effectively at the VPA process
Influencing = participating effectively
Create Space
& Take Place
Find Allies Build strongCoalitions
Own the process
Ex. Community participation in
Liberia Involvement
Ex. Link with Communitiy’s rights Network
(CRN)
Ex. Platform in RoC fought GONGOs
Participation at VPA negotiations
An unprecedented experience Vietnam: Vietnamese Governement aims to control process –CS had to define its own agenda
CS set up a ‘VNGO FLEGT network’, developed network modalities, consolidated its position and communicatedwith government
Outcomes of opening up space: Improved communication with government By actively following VPA negotiations CSO
capacities has increased Brought socio-economic issues to the attention
of natnioal and international
Participating changed attitudes
Participation at VPA negotiations
Ghana: Had already coalition « Forest Watch Ghana » in place – No intention of government to make it an inclusive process – Keys to success: threat of legal action + media attention RoC: No CS participation history – strong independant platform with
common agenda emerged rapidlyLiberia: Exceptional case – CS NGOs + local forest communities involved
Participation changed policy-making
Including social dimensions in CAR’s VPA
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Yes. Recognition and of local and indigenous communities customary rights of access to and use of forest concessions by company
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No. But according to the Forest Code the government should inform communities prior to delivering permit
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Yes
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Yes
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Yes
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Yes
Contributing to VPA implementation
Consolidating created space,
A challenge in Cameroon
•Reform of the Forest Code provided by VPA •Government aims to control legal reform •CS complains forest reform is not participatory •Letter of UNCERD underlines right to participation of IPs •Concerns about lack of participatory reform process discussed at CCS and Joint Implementation council (July 2013)
Contributing to VPA implementation
VPA motor for legal reform in RoC
•The VPA provides reform of 18 legal texts (non exhaustive list) + participatory reform process •Legal reform offers opportunity to strengthen substantial and procedural community rights, increase control over land •CS complains about lack of participation
violating the VPA •CSOs now involved in process
Contributing to VPA implementation
Using VPA to halt PUPs in Liberia •Explosion of Private Use Permits •Cover immense area - issued quickly - threat to forests + rights•NGOs concerned: PUPs were exporting more logs than forestry concessions – launch of large campaign •CSO complained about PUPs violating the VPA•Moratorium on new PUPs + investigative committee •All PUPs cancelled and Minister of agriculture suspended
Contributing to VPA implementation
VPA a tool to address land grabbing & illegal forest conversion in Cameroon •Cameroon: soon >30% of production will from illegal conversion for commercial agriculture (palm oil) – threat to forests + rights •Show case: Herakles Farms case violates the VPA - (legality not respected + no consultations)•CSO concerns shared by the EU – recognition that VPA is under threat •Achievements:
– Issues of illegal conversion and large scale land acquisitions are in the public and political domain
– EU recently asked permission for an investigation in the HF case
Some conclusions
1. Participating at VPA negotiations = unprecedented experience in many countries
2. Creating space and maintaining place is challenging during the entire VPA life time
3. VPA is a useful entry point for dialogue with the EU, the Government and other stakeholders
4. VPA as a practical tool to be used creatively:
- to secure tenure and community rights
- to improve forest governance
- to address underlying drivers of deforestation
Rue d’Edimbourg 26 1000 Bruxelles Belgique
t +32 2 894 4693 e [email protected]
www.fern.org
The campaigning NGO for greater environmental and social justice, with a focus on forests and forest peoples rights in the policies and practices of the EU