Policy Analysis and Forest Governance 101

Please revisit the page for the most recent information regarding the enrollment date for the year 2024.

This free e-course introduces policy analysis as a pathway to improving forest governance, empowering local people living in and near forests and creating a more sustainable and equitable socio-environment dynamic. The course was most recently offered during the period of 13 June 13 to 22 August 2023.

Countries around the world and in the Asia-Pacific region increasingly recognize the impact of an inclusive and participatory forest governance system to solving the world’s greatest environmental challenges. How can policy analysis improve forest governance? Are there available tools for policy and legal analysis? Why do we need to involve civil society organizations and local communities in legal reforms? 

Policy Analysis and Forest Governance 101 will address these questions and more. It focuses on the Asia-Pacific region, but the concepts can be applied throughout the world. The journey through the course includes experiential and reflective activities based on real-life conditions provided by civil society organizations working in the Mekong region. You will also have opportunities to share your ideas and collaborate with others. 

RECOFTC ran the course in 2021, 2022 and 2023. 

Key features

• Learn for free and differently through experiential and reflective activities based on real-life examples
• Study at your own pace, dedicating five hours for online work and two hours for an offline assignment at a time most convenient to you
• Join a community of learners with opportunities to share ideas and collaborate with others
• Receive a certificate if you achieve 75 percent or higher in the assessment

Course schedule

Who is this course for

Participants are people who work in the government, non-government or private forestry sector. It is for those who work with forest communities or advocate for policies and laws to improve forest governance. It can be useful to members of civil society networks or multistakeholder forums who want to participate in forest governance. Examples of a governance process include the European Union's Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) initiative and Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) program of the United Nations. 

Participants should have a working knowledge of English. Typical learners are professionals in the forestry and natural resources sectors in civil society, government and the private sector interested in participatory forest governance; early career professionals in the Asia-Pacific who want to gain additional knowledge on the use of policy analysis; organizations that seek opportunities for their employees to gain skills and learn how to engage with policymakers and how forest governance can help them achieve their goals. 

Recommended prior learning 

This course is for professionals in the early stages of their forestry career. You may also want to take our complementary course that offers beginner-level knowledge about community forestry and natural resource management and governance. Check out the Community Forestry 101 course for information.  

Topics the course covers

• Session 1 explains the concepts of policy analysis for improved forest governance 
• Session 2 presents examples of policy analysis tools
• Session 3 looks at the processes and conditions needed for civil society to participate and influence policies and laws 
• Session 4 discusses how policy analysis can be used for advocacy 

Competencies you will gain

• Define basic concepts about policy analysis for improved forest governance
• Introduce examples of policy analysis tools
• Appreciate the importance of civil society networks and multistakeholder forums and their participation in processes for making policies and laws
• Recognize the role of policy analysis in advocacy

Certificate of completion

This course qualifies for a RECOFTC Certificate of Completion. Achieve 75 percent or higher in the assessment and become part of a global community with competencies on the basics of policy analysis and forest governance.

Policy Analysis and Forest Governance 101 is produced with the financial support of the European Union, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida). The contents of this e-course is the sole responsibility of RECOFTC and does not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union, Sida or SDC.