Forest communities in control: are governments and donors prepared to help them thrive?

Abstract

John Spears, a visionary forest advisor to the World Bank in the 1970s, was an early advocate of the idea that communities could be good stewards of forest lands as well as providers of forest products and environmental services. At that time, most developing countries followed colonial policies claiming ownership and control of forests as national assets. The 1978 World Bank forest strategy stimulated a dialogue for a future where communities would have statutory rights over land and forests. Community-based forest management is now expanding, underpinned by a very different body of law, policy, and regulation. More developing countries now recognize locally-controlled forestry as an economic engine, providing multiple economic, social and environmental benefits. What has contributed to this policy shift and endorsement of collective rights? How has secure tenure contributed to make Community Forest Enterprises successful? What are the expectations on delivery of sustainable development goals? How do communities intersect with commercial value chains for forest resources and environmental services? This paper explores answers to some of these questions, and discusses some challenges currently faced by communities and their enterprises, and the options governments and donors have to help them succeed.