Formation des fornateurs des organisations de la sociéte civile Congolaise en observation indépendante des forêts

Context: This project on the training on Independent Forest Exploitation Monitoring (IFM) of civil society trainers is a joined effort between Global Witness and the Secretariat of the CREF network (Nord Kivu based). GW conducted a pilot feasibility study for Independent Forest Monitoring in 2007 (with WB funding). This project is in line with the EGP (Central Africa) effort to focus on improving environmental governance and is in line with the Territorial Synergy programme of CREF (supported by RFF Norway). This is the first of such type of training in the DRC and currently efforts are on the way to seek funding repeat the training in other provinces and thus to enhance “learning” on the subject nation wide. In the countries where an official Independent Observer (IO) also is in place (an IO is working within the governmental apparatus) the initial civil society “shadow teams” are currently being trained (or have been trained) to further enhance transparency in the forest sector (e.g. Congo Brazza & Cameroun). The project is an introduction to the process that aims at giving civil society more oversight of the forestry sector (from exploitation to tax recovery and financial transparency). The training will take place in Bunia, North Kivu in order to have easy access to the field and irregular / illegal activities. Main objectives: Strengthen key members of the CREF network as well as two participants from OCEAN ( Province Orientale), 1 from RNN (the National Natural Resource Network) and 1 from the Local Forest Administration in the techniques of Independent Forest Monitoring, To initiate a system of permanent monitoring & lobbying in Nord Kivu geared at good governance in the forestry sector and community benefit from the sector. Main activities: Conduct a tailor made training course on IFM in North Kivu and provide post-training backstopping / coaching. The course will consist of 8 main topics; Setting the objectives, Understanding the regulatory structure, Managing relationships, Preparing for an investigation, Fieldwork, Reporting, Information management, and Case tracking (legal). Set up and coach ten information groups, Production and dissemination of 3-months info sheets on forest governance. Main expected outcomes: Participants are capable of effectively conducting forest monitoring investigations, produce legally robust reports and managing / using information professionally, Ten observation points will be put in place after the training, information will be send to CREF on a 3-monthly basis and lobbying will more effective, both at the local, provincial and national level, CREF’s “Centre Enanga” actively produces and disseminates information / engages in lobby that enhances good governance in the forestry sector.