Regional Model Forest Network for Latin America and the Caribbean
[last updated December 21, 2007 2:20 PM]

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General Information
Partnership website(s)
Expected Timeframe
October 2002 - Open Ended
Partners
Governments:
  • Government of Argentina
  • Government of Canada - CIDA
  • Government of Chile
  • Government of Costa Rica - Ministerio de Agricultura y Ganadería and Ministerio de Ambiente y Energía
  • Government of Dominican Republic - Secretaria de Estado de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales
Major Groups:
  • International Model Forest Network Secretariat (Canada)
UN System:
  • UNDP/GEF (United States of America)
Other intergovernmental organizations:
    Other:
    • Canadian University Services Overseas (CUSO) (Canada)
    		 
    Thematic Focus
    Primary Themes:
    • Forests
    • Biodiversity
    • Protecting and managing the natural resource base of economic and social development
    		 Secondary Themes:
    • Rural development
    • Education
    • Water
    • Climate change
    • Gender equality
    • Poverty eradication
    Geographic Coverage
    Geographic Scope: Regional
    Country(ies) where the partnership is being implemented:
    Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Honduras, Puerto Rico, Spain
    National Focal Points
    This partnership has made contact with the national focal points for sustainable development in the countries involved
    Goals and Objectives
    Summary of the partnership's goals and objectives
    This collaborative initiative supports the development and establishment of a Regional Network of Model Forests in Latin America and the Caribbean. Model Forests are about translating higher-level policy goals into achievable and locally relevant models of sustainable use and best practices for the conservation of all forest resources. They use locally-based partnership to find working solutions to forest resource management issues through capacity building, improved decision-making and governance systems, economic diversification, integrated resource management, and poverty alleviation.
    The Regional Centre:
    - provides technical support to promote and strengthen model forest development in the region;
    - documents and demonstrates best practices for sustainable forest management and sustainable economic development opportunities for local communities;
    - substantially strengthens the transfer of technology from Canada to the region and among countries and projects in the region;
    - secures new country and institutional partners and donors.
    Targets and Progress
    Partnership targets
    By March 2005:
    - a Regional Centre established and functioning effectively;
    - up to 6 model forests initiated or in development, and activities and projects established and underway,
    - network members have acquired and are using new knowledge and skills relating to sustainable forest management and sustainable development;
    - communications and Network strategies developed and functioning to support network participants.
    Progress against targets
    All 2005 targets have been achieved.
    Capacity-Building and Technology Transfer
    Arrangements for Capacity-Building and Technology Transfer
    Specialized expertise is provided to model forest partners, through the Regional Centre, with a view to build capacity at the local level on issues of sustainable forest management and sustainable development, including economic development, decision-making systems, cross-sectoral partnership development, communications, measuring sustainability etc. The Regional Centre would support exchanges of knowledge, know-how and appropriate technologies within the Latin America and Caribbean Network, and with the Canadian Model Forest Program and other existing Model Forest sites around the world. This would be facilitated through the development of specialized workshops, network-wide technical/scientific collaboration activities, exchange of experts and participation in the international model forest network forums.
    Relationship to International Agreements on Sustainable Development
    How the partnership contributes to the implementation of Agenda 21, the Programme for the Further Implementation of Agenda 21, and the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation
    The international expansion of the Canadian Model Forest concept, which was announced at the Rio Earth Summit in 1992, is very closely aligned with the objectives of Agenda 21 and the United Nations Millennium Declaration. The new collaborative effort towards the creation of a Regional Centre in Latin America and the Caribbean will promote an approach which incorporates economic, environmental, social issues at both the policy and field levels, and address key issues related to: development and poverty alleviation, improved decision-making processes and governance, better forest resource management, conservation of biological diversity, innovation and partnerships for sustainable development, and sustainable communities.

    Relevant Sections of Agenda 21
    Combating poverty; Integrating environment and development in decision-making; Combating deforestation; Conservation of biological diversity; Global action for women towards sustainable and equitable development
    Relevant Sections of the Programme for the Further Implementation of Agenda 21
    Integration of economic, social and environmental objectives; Sectors and issues
    Relevant Sections of the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation
    Poverty eradication ; Protection and managing the natural resource base of economic and social development ; Sustainable development in Latin America and the Caribbean
    Coordination and Implementation
    Coordination Mechanism of the Partnership
    The Regional Centre is coordinated through a management structure, which includes a Board of Directors, and a small Regional Secretariat headed by an Executive director. The Board of Directors is composed of one representative from each Latin American and Caribbean country that is participating in the project, as well as one representative from each donor and supporting agency.
    It is anticipated that monitoring visits will be undertaken annually, and progress reports produced every four months to coincide with the meetings of the Board of Directors of the Regional Centre. Project technical reports would be prepared upon completion of the various sub-projects by the lead technical specialist, and submitted to the Regional Centre. In addition, the Regional Centre would develop communications materials (printed materials, radio, television, and web-based) to inform of progress and disseminate information on knowledge generated.
    It is expected that a participatory evaluation will be conducted prior to the completion of the project.
    Implementation Mechanism of the Partnership
    Resources
    Funding Currently Available
    Amount in US$: 1,561,428
    Source(s): Government - IGO
    At present, CIDA, UNDP, Chile, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic and Argentina have confirmed their commitment. The following resources were available before or since the commencement date.
    - Canada (CIDA): $1.5 million Canadian dollars
    - Chile and Argentina: $180,000 US dollars each
    - UNDP Chile: $146,00 Canadian dollars
    - Dominican Republic: $70,000 US dollars
    - Costa Rica: $60,000 US dollars
    Non-financial resources available
    Type(s): Computers - Office space - Staff
    Source(s): IGO - NGO
    In support of the Regional Model Forest Centre and the model forests within region, Canadian University Services Overseas(CUSO)has agreed to provide 8 full-time professionals for 2 year terms within the region.

    In support of the Regional Model Forest Centre the International Model Forest Network Secretariat is providing 1 full-time senior professional for an 18 month term.
    Funding Sought
    Required Amount in US$: not specified
    Source(s) already approached: The following level of financial and technical support is expected:
    - Countries pursuing participation (Mexico - $285,000 Canadian dollars and Brazil - $60,000 US dollars)
    The Regional Centre anticipates, on the basis of discussions in progress, that FAO and IICA will be active contributors to the growth and expansion of the regional model forest network.
    Non-financial resources sought
    Requirement(s):
    Source(s) approached and details:
    Additional Information
    Additional Relevant Information
    Other relevant information:
    Based upon ongoing exchanges with Peru, Panama and Brazil, among others, proponents anticipate that the regional network has excellent prospects for further expansion within the three-year project period.

    The Model Forest concept is directly supportive of the United Nations Forum on Forests and related international conventions (e.g., biodiversity, climate change and desertification). It is also very closely aligned with the development and implementation of National Forestry Programmes, the Montreal Process on criteria and indicators of sustainable forest management, and the G8 Forest Action Programme. It supports the development theory embodied in the World Bank's Comprehensive Development Framework (CDF), which is "to seek a better balance in policy making by highlighting the interdependence of all elements of development - social, structural, human, governance, environmental, economic and financial".