Forest Policies and Institutions

Training course on developing policies that work for people and forests

Over recent decades, natural forests have come under increasing pressure to meet the ever-growing demands of developing nations. Strong forest policy is essential to balance vital but often conflicting needs.

However, forest policies are not always crafted as a result of thorough analysis and multi-stakeholder consultation. In reality, they are often developed and implemented as a response to political pressure or unforeseen circumstances such as natural disasters. As a result, they can have a negative impact on the very people and forests whose interests they were designed to protect.

Aims and Objectives

This course has been designed to improve country-level policy development by addressing current shortcomings in policy formulation, implementation, and review.

The course will enable you to:

• Identify current cross-sector developments affecting people and forests
• Critically analyze and respond to problems related to policies and institutions
• Evaluate environmental, economic, and social aspects of forestry policy options
• Practice effective communication of solutions, decisions, and opportunities to a wide range of forest stakeholders

Who Should Attend?

Senior- and middle-level government officials and civil society representatives working on forest policy issues

Course Contents

Contents are flexible, but topics include:

• The role of forests and forestry in poverty reduction
• The forest policy process from formulation to monitoring and evaluation
• Forest policy analysis
• Tools and exercises for assessing forest policy
• Forest tenure and rights
• Climate change and its links to forest policy
• Forest governance and forest law enforcement
• Financing sustainable forest management
• Effective communication and awareness-raising in the policy process
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Course Length

This course can range from 5 to 14 days, depending on your needs.