Payments for Forest Environmental Services in Viet Nam: Strengthening effectiveness through monitoring and evaluation

Pham T.T,O’Connell E,Ngoc T.B.D,Thürer T

doi:10.17528/cifor/008028

Abstract

Key messages Through participatory research, engagement and capacity-building activities, CIFOR has supported the development of a monitoring and evaluation (M&E) mechanism for Viet Nam’s nationwide Payments for Forest Environmental Services (PFES) scheme. At national level, CIFOR research informed a benefit-sharing mechanism, the financial management of PFES, a new Forestry Law adopted in 2017, and other decrees and decisions related to PFES implementation. In Son La Province, CIFOR research informed a decision on its benefit-sharing mechanism. CIFOR has also supported government agencies in their applications for additional funding. In collaboration with the Vietnam Forest Protection and Development Fund, CIFOR helped to normalize the concept of M&E, meaning central and provincial government stakeholders are now more aware of the need to carry out rigorous PFES impact assessments, have the methods to do, and have access to information on the effectiveness of their PFES program. Civil society organisations are now monitoring PFES activities in Dak Lak and Thua Thien Hue provinces, based on CIFOR research and training. In 2016, CIFOR received a government award for its outstanding contribution to the forestry sector, notably for its work on PFES.

Highlights

Viet Nam launched Asia’s first Payments for Forest Environmental Services (PFES) policy in 2008, implementing it nationwide in 2010
More than 90% of PFES revenue is generated through fees added to electricity and water bills; these funds are paid to environmental service providers that protect forests, with the aim of ensuring a more stable water supply for electricity production and clean water for the public
With the support of evidence-based knowledge and capacity development provided by CIFOR, the Vietnam Forest Protection and Development Fund (VNFF) adopted: (i) a participatory national M&E system and M&E learning tools for the analysis of PFES impact in Viet Nam; (ii) a learning tool highlighting the additionality of PFES through before-aftercontrol-intervention research; and (iii) a tool to regularly monitor and analyse the impact of PFES

Summary

Introduction

Viet Nam launched Asia’s first Payments for Forest Environmental Services (PFES) policy in 2008, implementing it nationwide in 2010. With the support of evidence-based knowledge and capacity development provided by CIFOR, the VNFF adopted: (i) a participatory national M&E system and M&E learning tools for the analysis of PFES impact in Viet Nam; (ii) a learning tool highlighting the additionality of PFES through before-aftercontrol-intervention research; and (iii) a tool to regularly monitor and analyse the impact of PFES.

Results

Conclusion