 LFP works to ensure strong micro-macro linkages. Its multi-level operational presence ensures the hands-on experience gained in working with the poor and the most excluded is used to provide feedback and support for the development and implementation of policies. LFP emphasises the linking of action and policy, both that policy is grounded in field reality and that it leads of implementation of improved action. Policy is only of value when it actually improves people’s lives.
1. Piloting innovations
Community forestry has been an evolving process over the last 20 years and LFP has carried on the tradition of being at the forefront of introducing change. It brings in innovations that push existing boundaries, such as introducing its pro-poor and social inclusion strategy at every level from village to ministry. It first carries out pilots, which are refined based on observation and reflection until the time is right to roll them out across the LFP districts. LFP is currently carrying out action inquiries and pilots on areas such as working with the voluntary carbon market and mapping climate vulnerability of Forest User Group members. 2. Reporting and dissemination
Processes are documented and innovations and best practice are published for wider sharing. They are made available to partners, wider stakeholders and other interested organisations.
For example ‘Initiative sharing papers’ are published regularly to share experience of innovative practices with partners from government and other projects and programmes in Nepal’s forestry sector that support Forestry Users Groups. They aim to encourage others to implement some of the practices and to stimulate discussion amongst government and NGO partners, donors, programme staff and other stakeholders. The LFP Initiative Sharing Series: - Community Forestry in Nepal: Promoting livelihoods, community development and the environment, December 2009
- Working with local NGOs in the Forestry Sector: Improving Livelihoods of Rural People, December 2008
- Armed Conflict and Safe and Effective Development: Learning from the Livelihoods & Forestry Programme, December 2007
- Pro-Poor and Social Inclusion Strategy: Creating a common understanding and approach for social inclusion, July 2007
- LFP’s Animation and Social Mobilisation: Empowering local communities to access benefits and resources, July 2007
- Increasing the Voice and Influence of Poor and Excluded People in Community Forestry: Tole and Interest Groups in FUGs, February 2006
- Innovations in Pro-Poor Forestry: Community Forest Land Allocation, December 2004
- Innovations for Sustainable Services: Training local people in forestry techniques, July 2004
There is also a pack of summary papers of LFP initiatives: Innovations in Forestry that Support the Poor: Initiative Sharing Summary Papers of the Livelihoods and Forestry Programme, 2009 3. Informing national debate
Experience from the field guides programme direction and informs the contribution LFP makes to national forest sector dialogue. For example it recently organised a workshop on Terai Public Land Management to inform policy makers. LFP is part of government working groups such as the Gender, Poverty and Social Equity Learning Group which worked on the development of monitoring indicators to consolidate the contribution of the forestry sector towards meeting the national objectives of poverty reduction and social inclusion. It has, for example, worked with the government on a Gender and Social Equity Vision, a Gender and Social Inclusion strategy, and revision of the Community Forestry Guidelines. LFP publishes a series of Policy Notes on topics such as Terai forestry, challenges of climate change, and country restructuring. |
