Concern universal casamance forest project final evaluation

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Project Evaluation Report: ‘Rebuilding and Sustaining Forest-Based Livelihoods and Encouraging Community Dialogue and Reconciliation in the Casamance’

Evaluation Conducted By: Lamin Bajo, Forestry Department, The Gambia. Report findings were edited by Ansumana Sanneh, CU Casamance Programme Development Officer, and Tony Jansen, CU Country Director. The project under evaluation is ‘Rebuilding and Sustaining Forest-Based Livelihoods and Encouraging Community Dialogue and Reconciliation in the Casamance’ funded by the US Department of State Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations. The project involved supporting the establishment of 6 community-managed forests in the Casamance region of Senegal close to the Gambia border. The project was implemented by UK headquartered international NGO Concern Universal working with local Senegal based partner ASAPID (Association to Support to Peace and Development Initiatives). As the one-year project was coming to an end, Concern Universal requested an evaluation to assess the successes, failures and constraints of the project.

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Background and methodology Terms of Reference The main objectives of this evaluation is to assess the one year project led by ASAPID with the main purpose of:

1. Identifying the areas of achievements 2. Identifying the weaknesses and the constraints 3. Identifying the possible management options for implementation of future projects

The evaluator was asked to consider:

• Comprehensive & practical knowledge of member communities (participants) • The administrative and organizational background of ASAPID • The communication system of ASAPID • Sustainability of information within member communities • Gender mainstreaming • The ownership rights over the community forest by member communities. • Capacity building of ASAPID and member communities • Community forest assessment • Peoples participation • External collaboration

Methodology The field work of the evaluation was conducted over 3 days from the 29th April 2014. This evaluation was conducted using a participatory method where by both the ASAPID executive and members and community members (participants) are able to freely put forward their views in discussion and interviews. The process was facilitated with the use of questionnaires/check lists designed for the various target groups (see annex 5 & 6).

During the evaluation focus group discussion participants were divided into four groups: female; male; youth and a mixed group. Focus group discussions were held in: Diouloulou at the ASAPID office; at Kartack Bantaba; and at Dombondirr village Bantaba. There were 35 beneficiaries present in each group discussion except for the mixed group that had 45 members (15 men,15 women and 15 youth).

A field assessment was made of the 6 community forests by the evaluator, a specialist in forestry, in order to identify the conditions of the forest including: fertility; regeneration potential; fire damage and illegal logging if any. The outcome of these visits was to design/recommend possible management options for each community forest.

Sampling Method A purposeful sampling method was used in order to have good representation from the various community forest committees and the communities that took part allowing for women, men and youth to be represented. In total 150 people were interviewed. The criteria for their selection was based on: their participation, involvement and understanding of the project and its activities in those communities and a mix of gender and youth and adult participants.

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Evaluation Findings Summary The evaluation found the following achievements have been registered by ASAPID from the implementation of this one year project. The capacity of ASAPID and its member communities was built on the community forest management concept and program, market analysis and development, and on peace building. The 28 villages that are part of the community forest project feel they are more united to advocate for peace in the region. It is evident that court cases and activities by the rebels have dropped significantly and this project has made a positive contribution to that wider change.

The Key Objectives Of The Project • Objective 1: Establish 6 community–financed and managed protected forest areas and equip

communities to protect them. • Objective 2: Improve economic opportunities that the forest can provide for the population of

approximately 28 villages. • Objective 3: Position ASAPID to take a more significant role in the development of future

community building projects

The results from the evaluation are presented under the headings of these 3 objectives.

Objective 1: Establish 6 community-financed and managed protected forest areas and equip communities to protect them Six community forests have been established and are under protection and management by the local communities. The forest areas were surveyed and the final maps will be printed shortly. Two more communities have shown their interest in the program and are now also working with ASAPID to establish community forests. Communities have set by-‐laws binding the protection and rational utilization of the forest products. The village heads have signed agreements that areas identified will be used as community forest and the agreements have been approved by the local authorities. The community forests are functioning, as evidenced by, for example: annual tree planting activity is conducted in all the member community forests using their indigenous species (carried out by the communities themselves with high involvement of youth and women) and communities are participating in fire control and patrolling the forest to prevent illegal logging and poaching.

Objective 2: improve the economic opportunities that the forest can provide for the population of 28 villages Joint collection and marketing of forest products to generate income for the entire communities is underway in the 28 villages that are part of the community forest program. This is mostly done by women and youth. The income generated will pass through the community forest committees and is being documented. The six communities combined together have to date realized a modest sum of 110,000 CFA ($230) as part of the proceeds from the sales of sustainably harvested forest products.

Objective 3: Position ASAPID to take a more significant role in the development of future community projects There has been a great improvement on the ASAPID administrative system and the office is better equipped and more functional with 5 staff who work on a full time basis. Also the association’s communication system is improved, although not yet adequate as the internet service is not available which would help the communication and sharing of information with donors and partners.

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DETAILED FINDINGS

Objective 1: Establish 6 community–financed and managed protected forest areas and equip communities to protect them.

New community protected forests established The project aimed to establish six new community forests (CF) in addition to the pilot CF (KOUDIOUBE). The result achieved is the establishment of eight community forests protecting 786 hectares of forest under the management of their traditional community users. The eight forests are: SALETTY / KOBA SALETTY; KATACK; KATABA1; KULANJANG; BANGIKAK; KABARJO; DOMBONDIR and TAMBA KUNDA. This includes the 6 planned new CFs and two additional CFs (SALETTY & BANGIKAK) which ASAPID have supported in some activities due to the motivation of these communities. These community forests have been demarcated , with final mapping to be completed in the final month of the project. The forest committees have set by-‐laws binding the protection and utilization of forest resources. ASAPID have succeeded in ensuring that six of the eight community forests are legally registered (as per the objectives of the project). These are Kataba1, Kulanjang, kabajo, Katak, Dombondirr and Tamba Kunda.

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Technical Forest Assessment The table below gives an insight of each community forests’ area, physical structure, legal protection status in relation to ASAPID efforts under this project and nature of forest the soil.

COMMUNITY FOREST NAME

APROXIMATE AREA (ha.) (*figures updated as per official mapping)

LEGAL REGISTRATION STATUS

TOPOGRAPHY DENSITY SOIL CONDITION

KATABA 1 26 Registered Gently sloping from the east towards the river.

medium Fertile

KULANJANG 45 Registered Flat Sparse open at the west

Fertile

KABAJO 52 Registered Very gently sloping to the north from the south

Generally medium

Fertile

KATAK 30 Registered Generally gently sloping from east to west.

Highly dense at the west and medium at the east.

Very fertile

DOMBONDIR 30 Registered Flat Highly dense at the north and medium at the south.

Very fertile

TAMBA KUNDA

30 Registered Flat Generally medium

fertile

SELLETY/KOBA SELLETY

85 (approx.) New not registered yet

Flat Mainly sparse to medium

Very good

BANDJIKAK 69 (approx.) New not registered yet

Flat medium Fertile

The table below shows the detailed description of each community forest area with consideration to the ability of the forest to serve ecological purposes.

NAME COMMUNITY FOREST

FOREST TYPES

TYPE ONE (closed forest) TYPE TWO (open forest) TYPE THREE (trees and shrub savanna)

KATABA 1 Main species: jallo{khaya senegalenses},tengo {borasious Africana},bunking {bombax costatum} and keno {pterocarpus erinaceus}.

Canopy level: 2

Bush fire state: medium

Regeneration potential: high because there are enough mother trees to provide seeds for regeneration.

Dead woods: available

Erosion signs: visible

Main species:jallo{khaya senegalenses},tengo {borasious Africana},bunking {bombax costatum} and keno {pterocarpus erinaceus}.

Canopy level: 2





Main species: jallo (khaya senegalense), tengo (borasious Africanu), folley, (saba senegalinses), bunking (Bombax costatum).

Canopy levels: 3 bush fire states: medium

Regeneration Potential: high because of there are enough of mother trees to provide seeds for regeneration.

Dead woods: few.

Erosion: signs invisible.

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Management options: removal of dead woods and annual enrichment planting with indigenous species.


Management option: annual enrichment planting with indigenous species.

KULANJANG Main species: jallo{khaya senegalenses},tengo {borasious Africana},bunking {bombax costatum} and keno {pterocarpus erinaceus}.

Canopy level: 2






Main species: jallo{khaya senegalenses},tengo {borasious Africana},bunking {bombax costatum} and keno {pterocarpus erinaceus}.

Canopy level: 2






Main species: jallo, tengo, folley, kaba, sotto (figus exprata), bunking and keno (pterocarpus erinaceous).

Canopy levels: 2.

Bush fire states: medium


Dead woods: few.


Management option: annual enrichment planting with indigenous species and removal of dead woods.

KABADJO Main species: jallo, tengo, folley, kaba, sotto (figus exprata), bunking and keno (pterocarpus erinaceous).

Canopy levels: 2.



Dead woods: few.



Main species: jallo (khaya senegalense), tengo (borasious Africanu), folley, (saba senegalinses), bunkung (Bombax costatum).



Dead woods: few.






Dead woods: few.



SELLETY Main species: jallo (khaya senegalense), tengo (borasious Africanu), folley, (saba senegalinses), bunkung (Bombax costatum).



Dead woods: few.






Dead woods: few.






Dead woods: few.



KATAK Main species: jallo (khaya senegalense), tengo (borasious Africanu), folley, (saba senegalinses),

Main species: jallo (khaya senegalense), tengo (borasious Africanu), folley, (saba senegalinses),

Main species: jallo (khaya senegalense), tengo (borasious Africanu), folley, (saba senegalinses),

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bunkung (Bombax costatum).



Dead woods: few.






Dead woods: few.






Dead woods: few.



DOMBONDIR Main species: jallo (khaya senegalense), tengo (borasious Africanu), folley, (saba senegalinses), bunkung (Bombax costatum).



Dead woods: few.






Dead woods: few.






Dead woods: few.


Management option: annual enrichment planting with indigenous species

TAMBA KUNDA Main species: jallo (khaya senegalense), tengo (borasious Africanu), folley, (saba senegalinses), bunkung (Bombax costatum).



Dead woods: few.






Dead woods: few.






Dead woods: few.



BANDJIKAK Main species: jallo, tengo, folley, kaba, sotto (figus exprata), bunking and keno (pterocarpus erinaceous).

Canopy levels: 2.



Dead woods: few.


Canopy levels: 2.



Dead woods: few.


Canopy levels: 2.



Dead woods: few.

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Forest Committee Formation: Six new community forest committees were formed and their capacities built on the committee’s and individual member’s roles and responsibilities to ensure proper protection and management of the forest for sustainability. In addition, two new communities have acknowledged their interest in working with ASAPID, and have formed committees, but were yet to be registered.

Sustainability of Community Protected Forests The implementation of training programs by ASAPID is to offer appropriate and on the ground training followed by routine monitoring support. A community sensitization and community based institution capacity building approach is used by ASAPID to ensure learning is transferred to the wider communities by the primary beneficiaries. The training of community forest committees on the Community Forest management concept aims to ensure sustainability of both the environment and local forest cover and help to ensure the long-‐term income and food security for the beneficiaries, while on peace building will help to maintain peace and tranquility within the region, according to interviewees. In addition to that ASAPID conducts monthly and quarterly meetings with its member communities in order to keep information, ideas and skills current in peoples’ minds at all time. Furthermore ASAPID recently took part in the annual regional and trans-‐boundary congress on the forest and the environment.

People’s Participation Prior to the pilot that preceded this project, men and youths were reported by the community and ASAPID to contribute very little towards the development and protection of forest cover, since they were the ones directly involved in forest product utilization and business – and hence forest destruction. In those days, according to the participants, men and youths were the ones engaged in rebellion activities within the region and thus they decided on issues, including use of and destruction of forests, without consulting anyone else -‐ as they took all powers in their hands.

Since the start of ASAPID’s work on community forest management, this trend has changed. The awareness created has changed attitudes, causing men and women to take part in protection and conservation activities led by ASAPID. The first step is the peace building mechanism used by ASAPID to ensure and contribute to tranquility within the region. Also ASAPID have improved people’s participation and interest by linking traditional norms and values connected to the protection of the forest – e.g. awareness programs in communities on the socio cultural importance of the forest. Furthermore, ASAPID have enlightened young people to respect their elders but to also have a say in the decision-‐making. ASAPID have generally changed the attitude of men, women and youths towards participation in forest management. This is a quote from a man now active in forest management: “I was lost and lacked sympathy but thanks to ASAPID I want to join others to develop what we retarded: our forest cover”.

See Annex 4 for chart showing the changes in peoples participation over time due to ASAPID efforts.

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ASAPID also aimed to specifically involve the Youth Folk in the Management of the Forest and Forest resources. The result obtained from the reviewing session and from focus group discussions shows that youth involvement and participation have improved greatly -‐ they form about 70% of participants in activities such as fire fighting and control, harvesting and collection of forest produces (fruits and nuts), planting and patrolling the forest areas for protection against illegal exploitations.

Gender Mainstreaming ASAPID have mainstreamed gender equity through a high level of training and participation of women in this project. Evidence of this included:

• Women formed the majority of participants at meetings, • Women formed the majority of participants at community forest activities such as tree

planting and weeding. • This high involvement of women was, according to the participants at the evaluation session,

due to women handling responsibilities within the forest committees – women hold key positions such as vice chairperson, treasurers, organizers and auditors as intentionally encouraged by ASAPID.

• They have also improved women’s participation by creating understanding in men that women cannot be left behind in any development activities.

Peace Building: The implementation of the project occurred during a period when the fighting between the MFDC and the Senegalese military and other individual communities has stopped. The result obtained from the group discussions was that the project has contributed greatly towards the achievement of peace and tranquility in the region. Examples of how the project has contributed to peace building:

• There are now 28 villages in the region (members of the community forest program) with the common goal of having a peaceful and stable region and sustainable management of forests.

• The exchange visits between the forest committees and communities and the festival held in Koudioube and sensitizations meetings are examples of project activities that participants referred to that unite them in having the same goal.

• Cattle thieves are jointly controlled by villages in the same area using the structure of forest monitoring set up by the project.

• The number of court cases has reduced compared to the pre-‐project era. This is so because according to target groups during discussions; people are more respectful of forest and other resources and take only what is rightly theirs, and offences and assaults upon others have reduced significantly.

Nonetheless, some people mentioned that the free movement of people and goods is still difficult due to the many military check points.

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Objective 2: Improve economic opportunities that the forest can provide for the population of approximately 28 villages.

Training. Capacity building has taken place at two levels. Level one is the training of the participants in beneficiary communities with special focus on community forest management, gardening, market analysis and market development – project records show 298 people were trained. Level two is the training of ASAPID members on bookkeeping, accounting, peace building, market analysis, market development and forest management.

The table below shows the various training programs (extracted from ASAPID and CU records) on capacities of ASAPID and member communities were built. (N.B. These may include some training undertaken by ASAPID under other projects as the distinction is not clear to all beneficiary communities)

Name of the trainee group

Trained on Trained by Number of people trained

Remarks/recommendation Verification

ASAPID Accounting and book keeping

Concern universal

15 people Correct recording of income and transparent financial transactions in place

Workshop report

ASAPID Peace building Concern universal

25 people Peace and tranquility in place. The MFDC and other rebel factions agreed to stop fighting one another. Court cases went down drastically

Report in file

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Rational Exploitation Of Forest Resources: This activity was targeted at member communities in order to ensure sustainability of the forest and its resources (timber and non timber products). This has been achieved through awareness creation and trainings. Participants report (and forest visits confirmed through observation) that people are now involved in more rational and collective harvesting of forest resources particularly fruits and nuts. Many are now collectively sold to generate income for the communities. For proper monitoring and revenue control, the member communities have in place a system of documentation of the revenue gained from sales of forest products from the community forest and this is managed to serve the purpose of the forests and the management of forest resources.

This realization of income for joint/community benefit has encouraged youths to get involved in community forest activity implementation. According to the group discussions, youths and women forms the majority in activities such as planting, weeding, fruits and nut collection and marketing of forest products collected.

Community forests contribution to income generation Having the forest has had important impacts on the community. Participants stated on many occasions that community forest management has positively contributed to their income generation through:

• the joint collaboration of women in the collection and sales of forest products. • the provision of their basic needs such as fuel wood, fruits and nuts as food • the protective services the forest provides such as wind control, erosion control and the

improvement of wildlife habitat.

Women reported their involvement in the following income generation activities through their work with ASAPID on the project (note that some of the activities mentioned were part of other initiatives of ASAPID working with CU and beneficiaries were not always clear on the distinction between different projects):

• Kataba 1-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐palm oil production and gardening. • Kulangjang-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐palm oil production, soap making and gardening. • Sallety/kabasallety-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐ soap making and gardening. • Tamba kunda-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐soap making, tie and dye and gardening. • Kabajo-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐gardening, tie and dye and soap making. • Bangikak-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐marketing of forest produce (fruits and nuts), soap making and

gardening.

Participants from member committees

Gardening ASAPID 48 women Organic crop production is on going Training report

Community Forest committees

Community Forest (CF) management

ASAPID 120 people Implementation of C F concepts in place. The number of CF increased from one to six

Training report

Women groups

Forest products market, analysis and development.

KOMFORA and ASAPID

90 women Collective realization of income from sales of forest products

Training report

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• Katak-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐collective marketing of forest produce (fruits and nuts), palm oil production and soap making.

• Dombondirr-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐marketing of forest produce (fruits and nuts) palm oil production and soap making.

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Objective 3: Position ASAPID to take a more significant role in the development of future community building projects

ASAPID Organisational Capacity. The project supported ASAPID to have an office established in Diouloulou for the first time and various capacity building training and mentoring was conducted for the staff, board members and members with the aim of strengthening the organization. The evaluation found this office equipped with furniture, a desktop computer and printers and there are now five permanent staff attached to the office. The evaluators observations of ASAPID and its current organizational status are as follows:

ASAPID have expanded their work with a range of funding agencies such as AJIOUS (US) fund, ANCS, FAO, as well as the US state department with Concern Universal. This appears a strength as they are not totally dependent on the U.S. State Department support. Most importantly ASAPID have been working closely with Concern Universal for many years.

ASAPID has a well organized administrative structure (see annex 3 for organizational diagram). This shows that decisions and activities are not led by only individual. The members of the executive are well represented by both men and women from the registered member communities. From discussion during the analysis, it was found that the first secretary, the first treasurer, the first organizer and the vice chairperson are all women – a positive gender representation for the organization (50% female). The executive members reported to each know what other members are undertaking. This showed signs of transparency existing within the association.

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ASAPID Communication System Communication with the community is one of the most important aspects of a project that relies on community mobilization to increase support for sustainable forest management. Without an excellent communication system, it is difficult to gather and disseminate information, showcase new ideas, skills and attract external interest groups.

ASAPID reported the use of the following communication strategies to let its members, working groups and others outside community members learn about them, their achievement and constraints:

• Traditional means i.e. the use of women group called Kanyeleng. • Telephone / mobile • Letters • Field visits – including community meetings and face to face discussion

For donor communication of results and replication, ASAPID usually presents activity reports, and monthly and quarterly reports that are communicated to Concern Universal who in turn reports to the donor.

External Collaboration This is another very important aspect of a successful program or project. The importance of external collaboration in a development project includes the provision of support in services, advices, skills provision and funding. ASAPID, have proven to be working hand In hand with other associations, departments and groups etc. on areas like capacity building, awareness creation, peace building and implementation of activities. The following were ASAPID’s collaborators during this project period:

• Concern universal-‐ on environmental protection, activity implementation and peace building. • AJWS (US fund)-‐ on environmental protection and horticulture. • ANCS (HIV& AIDS and MALARIA)-‐ On environmental and livelihood development. • KOMOFORA -‐ on sustainable forest management. • The AREA COUNCIL and the REGIONAL AUTHORITIES -‐ On awareness creation.

Capacity Building: This activity was targeted for ASAPID executive and its member communities. This is an essential plan and the execution of it has greatly improved the administrative and communication system of ASAPID and its member communities. It has also improved their knowledge and practical skills when it comes to issues relating to the project objectives such as land degradation and sustainable forest management, peace building etc. According to the ASAPID executive, they now have an office that is equipped with desktop computer set, printer and scanner and they have telephone lines that help them to reach their members and can also help outsiders to reach them at all times.

According to the member communities during the group discussions, they are within ASAPID and the office is easily accessible by them in addition to each community having a representative in ASAPID which makes them always up to date with ASAPID, its activities, programs and new issues (see annex 1 & 2 for a detailed matrix showing communities understanding and knowledge gained on the projects’ objectives and related areas of environment and livelihood development).

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RECOMMENDATIONS:

1. Conduct more media (radio and television) programs to help create awareness in many people about ASAPID’s programs and area of operation – ensuring a wider spread of demand by communities to protect their own forests with legal backing/registration.

2. Annual field visit between community forests by ASAPID and members in order to exchange ideas and motivate each other.

3. Introduction of an annual forest festival with conservation related theme whereby cultural/ traditional events are used to discuss environmental issues with the larger population.

4. ASAPID to develop a gender equity policy and training manual so that the benefits of gender equity reach all member communities.

5. ASAPID to conduct further stakeholder awareness training on environment and livelihood development issues.

6. ASAPID to ensure the further training of its member communities and their various community forest committees on practical and theoretical aspects of sustainable forest management as well as on other areas that will provide skills to generate income.

7. Effort should be made by both ASAPID, communities and donors to ensure the annual enrichment tree-‐planting in community forests is continued

Follow up projects In the light of this assessment, the following options can be used by ASAPID and its members to take the achievements of this project to the next level:

• Continuous and widening scale of sensitization • Continued Capacity building of ASAPID and its members on the principle features of the CF

concept, and harvesting, processing and sales of forest produces (fruits and nuts etc). • Capacity building of small scale entrepreneurs who trade and add value to forest products • Capacity building of youths on various skills that can be use to generate income • Introduction of eco-‐tourism program • Strengthening of the forest committees on planning, and implementation of planned activities

as well as on control and protection mechanisms • Annual tree planting in CF areas • Continued establishment of fire breaks around the CFs to protect against fires • Training and establishment of village tree nurseries to ensure timely supply of planting stocks • Introduction of environmental lessons at schools • Bee keeping training and introduction into CFs • Plant salt resistant species in salt intruded areas • Introduction of the new cooking stoves to minimize the consumption of fuel wood / charcoal • Mangroves and coast line protection and management would be a logical extension to the CF • Advocate for organic food production and train communities on compost making and provision

of tools for forest and agricultural development activities. • Strengthen the ties with collaborators and link with more external interest groups.

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CONLUSION Although the region’s forests and coastlines are impacted by human activities, most of it is still ecologically intact. However, due to the fact that the region is attracting people and competition is increasing over farmlands and usable forest and coastal resources, making an efficient land use planning essential.

The first step in this direction is the advocacy of peace building, awareness creation, capacity building and motivation provided by ASAPID which has helped a lot in encouraging people to be involved and take part in sustainable development activities. Considering the number of participating communities and activities that were successfully conducted in just a one year project period, it is evident that success has been marked for this ASAPID/Concern Universal (US Department of State funded) project.

From the results of the analysis according to the team of evaluators, it has been proved that ASAPID have gained success in the implementation of planned activities during this one year project despite the short length of project period. Therefore the team of evaluators did recommend for the extension of or a follow on to this project in order to ensure sustainable environment and livelihood development even well after the project and to a wider scale of beneficiary communities in the region.

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Annex 1 THE COMPREHENSIVE KNOWLEDGE OF PARTICIPANTS ON THE PROJECT OBJECTIVE AND RELATED AREAS OF LIVELIHOOD DEVELOPMENT:

The table below shows the level of understanding of participants (communities) on the project objectives and other related areas for livelihood development. As can be seen below participants’ levels of comprehension are rated as HIGH, MEDIUM or LOW during the group discussions.

HIGH means a particular community has an excellent understanding on the project objectives and related areas of livelihood development. MEDIUM means that a community has a good understanding on the project objectives while LOW indicates a poor comprehensive knowledge on the project objective and related areas of livelihood development.

THEMETIC FOCAL AREAS

PARTICIPANTS

LAND DEGRADATION & SUSTAINABLE FOREST MGMT. MANAGEMENT

BIO DIVERSITY & CLIMATE CHANGE

INTERNATIONAL WATERS

CHEMICALS (POPS).

PEACE AND STABILITY

CAPACITY BUILDING.

KATABA 1 High

medium Low high high high

KULANJANG High

high medium high high high

TAMBA KUNDA

high medium medium medium high high

SELLETY/KOBA SELLETY

high high medium medium high high

KABAJO High

high medium high high high

BANGIKAK High

medium Low high high high

KATAK High

medium Low medium high high

DOMBONDIR High

medium medium medium high high

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Annex 2

ASSESSMENT OF THE PRACTICAL KNOWLEDGE OF PARTICIPANTS (COMMUNITIES) ON ASAPIDS’ FOCAL AREAS AND RELATED AREAS FOR LIVELIHOOD DEVELOPMENT:

The table below shows the participants’ practical knowledge gained on ASAPIDs’ focal areas and related areas for livelihood development.

Thematic focal areas of ASAPID

PARTICIPANTS LAND DEGRADATION & SUSTAINABLE FOREST MANAGEMENT.

BIO DIVERSITY & CLIMATE CHANGE

INTERNATIONAL WATERS

CHEMICALS PEACE AND STABILITY

CAPACITY BUILDING

KATABA 1 We stop illegal felling of trees.

We agree to manage our own CF reserve.

We put a prohibition on bush fires.

We plant trees in the CF annually.

We put in place a fire protection mechanism i.e. the creation of access roads.

No felling.

We don’t allow fire in the forest.

Hunting is limited.

We take part in mangrove plantings to protect the coast line.

We use only organic manures for our plants and crops.

We will not allow disposals of poisonous materials in our surroundings.

War kills and displaces people so we contribute in maintaining peace in the region.

We know that if no trees there won’t be any life and if no life there will be no trees.

We can protect our forest from fires.

We can make compost manures.

To succeed we want to have more training.

KULANJANG No fires in the CF allowed.

Felling of trees not allowed.

Grazing areas set aside.

We constantly patrol our forest.

We have a CF reserve.

We stop the use of fires in forest areas to reduce carbon emission.

No felling of trees in the forest areas to retain the carbon sink.

We protect the fauna by conserving their habitat.

We are always ready to protect the coast lines.

We plant mangroves.

We now use organic manures for our crops and plants.

We try to dispose the poisonous substances and containers.

We want no more fights.

Without peace we will not live a stable life.

Instability destroyed our forest cover.

Our women KAFOs can process fruits from the forest in to oils and soaps e.g. palm oils.

We have good knowledge in gardening.

TAMBA KUNDA

Deliberate cutting of trees for individual benefits destroyed our forest.

Now We don’t allow illegal felling of tree.

Fire is not allowed in forest

We protect and sustainably manage our own cf.

We protect the lives in the forest.

No disposal of contaminants in the river.

No use of unclassified fishing nets.

We can make compost manures and we use only that for our crops and plants.

No living is satisfactory without peace.

We will contribute in all ways to maintain peace in the region.

There is always a low lifespan

Learning from trainings helps us to be able to make organic compost manures for our crops.

Know how to manage our forest.

Know how to

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areas.

We manage our own cf.

without peace. maintain peace.

We Know good agricultural and horticultural practices.

SELLETY / KOBA SELLETY

We know that our forest areas are degrading.

We know forest degradation courses land degradation.

Now we don’t allow felling of live trees.

No use of fire in forest areas.

We apply the CF concept and we now have a cf.

We know that when forests are degraded, the animals that lives there will migrate

So we protect the forest and rehabilitate open areas by planting trees.

Bush fire is prohibited.

We will now not allow the disposal of waste in the rivers.

We will participate in mangrove planting for coast line improvement and protection.

We know that the unstable climatic change is course by the degradation of the environment basically the forest.

We protect our forest from destruction.

We know that when people are not stable in thought and basic needs unavailable, there can never be productivity thus livelihood is left stagnant. We will always take part in peace making

We say no training no skills.

From training we can now make compost manure, soaps, cooking palm oils and tie and dye, gardening. we Can manage our own CF

KABAJO We plant trees.

We avoid bush fires.

We know how to control minor gulley erosions.

We understand the CF concept and we have a CF.

We preserve the habitats by conserving the forest in that we preserve the lives within.

We maintain and improve the forest cover to reduce the risk of heat and storms.

Rivers and water ways should be protected from pollution and contamination

Illegal fishing trolleys should be controlled.

We don’t want to use chemical fertilizers.

We use organic manures.

We know how to properly dispose of chemical substances and containers.

We know peace is the main means of social, Agricultural, economic and livelihood development.

We obtain skills in gardening, making manures, soap making and tie and dye.

BANGIKAK We protect our forest (CF).

We plant trees.

We avoid bush fires.

Illegal felling of life trees prohibited.

We have a forest where animals live. Hunting

Is minimal.

We Stop bad fishing practices and

Protect the coast lines.

Chemicals are dangerous. We use only organic manures for our crops and plants.

Proper disposal of chemicalised materials is important.

Without peace we cannot live a normal life.

Without peace we will be retarded in all aspects of development.

Trainings provide us with skills such as compost making, gardening, forest management and soap making.

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KATAK No tree felling for individual use.

We understand the CF concept.

We protect our forest from fires.

We plant trees.

No un authorized killing of plants and animals.

Rivers should not be polluted.

Illegal fishing materials can be monitored and controlled.

Organic manure is good and we use it on our crops and plants.

We know peace is the only way to successful development .we will always take part in peace maintaining.

We can collectively harvest fruits and dead wood from the forest and sell it for income.

We on make manure.

We can make soaps.

DOMBONDIR We know how to implement the CF concept.

We put aside a forest area as cf.

We protect the forest from fire and un notified felling.

We campaign against fires.

We plant trees and hunting is minimal.

Illegal fishing materials can be controlled by us.

We can monitor the disposal of waste in the rivers.

We plant mangroves to rehabilitate the coast lines.

We now use more of the organic manures than the chemical fertilizer.

We now know that peace and tranquility is the first step of livelihood development and we can and will at all times try to maintain peace in the region.

We can now realize collective income from the sales of forest produces.

We can process fruit of the forest in to products that can generate more income.

The table above shows that the participants (communities) have a very good practical knowledge on the focal areas of ASAPID and other related areas of livelihood development example the participants can make things on their own such as compost, tie and dye, soaps and detergents etc. implement programs such as community forest management, developed strategies such as on marketing of forest of forest produces etc. However, it is important to improve the practical knowledge of participants on those thematic focal areas. The result obtained shows that the participant communities have acquired a lot of comprehensive knowledge on the thematic focal areas mentioned, example they know that land degradation is mainly caused by the direct and indirect involvement of people in the uncontrolled clearing of lands for mainly income generation and they also know that the only solution to land degradation is the sustainable management of the forest cover which can only be achieved through the involvement of the people who live by the forest. They also know that, without peace there will be no development neither involvement of the people etc. Nonetheless there are still gaps for more sensitization on areas where the participants have medium or low level of understanding.

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Annex 3

ADMINISTRATIVE AND ORGANIZATIONAL BACKGROUND OF ASAPID

President/ chairman

Vice chair person Vice chair person

Secretary sec.

Treasurer Treasurer

Auditor Auditor

Organizer Organizer

As can be seen above, ASAPID is having a well organized administrative background. This shows that decision and activities are not led by one individual. The members of the executive are well represented by both men and women from the registered member communities. From discussions during the analysis, it was found out that the first secretary, the first treasurer, the first organizer and the vice chair person are all women. This totals to 50% of the total executive committee members with each one knowing what the other is up to. These also show signs of transparency existing within the association.

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Annex 4 The chart below shows how peoples’ participation improved over time due to ASAPIDS’ effort.

WOMEN men

YOUTH

From the graph above the years are defined on the horizontal axis. Colors are used to distinguish men, women and youths. On the left hand side marked from 0 to 5 indicates the different levels of participation of the various groups. 0 to 1 means poor level of participation, 1 to 2 means fair participation, 2 to 3 means good, 3 to 4 means very good while 4 to 5 means an excellent level of participation. As can be seen above, the participation of women and youth was low in the first two years before the coming of ASAPID while in that era men participation was high then. This is because men were leading in all decision making as they were the ones involved in the rebellion thus people were afraid to voice out their views and concerns. With this fear of their lives and forceful participation, women and youth decided to stay out of men led activities. As the rebellion calms down, as seen above men participation lowers while that of women and youth accelerated which is achieved through the involvement of ASAPID in sensitization and awareness creation within the region. Nonetheless recently it is realized that men participation is rising now but at a low pace.

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

2011 2012 2013 2014

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Annex 5

QUESTIONERS FOR THE TARGET GROUP ASSESSMENT

NAME OF TARGET GROUP NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS DATE

Please you are urged to answer the following questions appropriately by ticking the right answer or by explaining in detail where necessary.

1. What is an environment?

2. What do you understand about land degradation?

3. What does sustainable forest management means to you?

4. What other components of the environment do you know? Please state and elaborate on them.

5. What is a forest and state some of its importance to you?

6. Did you have a community forest at your village yes. No.

7. If no state why.

8. If yes since when did you start implementing the idea/ concept.

9. Did you have a special body representing your village in the management of the cf. yes no.

10. Please explain what you know about ASAPID and their area of operation.

11. When and why did you register with ASAPID?

12. What where the problems faced by your forest before the coming of ASAPID?

13. What is the difference in the condition of the forests today?

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14. State and explain the most important effort put on by ASAPID to ensure the protection and

management of the forest cover.

15. Name some of the activities organized by ASAPID with its member communities.

16. Are participants well represented and gender balance during community forest activities?

17. If no state who are less represented and why.

18. Did ASAPID focus only on sustainable forest management? Yes. no.

19. If no what are the other areas of ASAPIDS’ focus.

20. What are your plans to protect the forest from fires?

21. What are some of the activities that ASAPID did in its member communities in order to motivate them?

22. What are the other bodies, groups or agencies etc. that works with ASAPID and on which area.

23. What are some of the practical knowledge you gain from your understanding about the focal areas of ASAPID.

24. Have you ever get training from ASAPID or through ASAPID? Yes. No.

25. If yes state on what?

26. Does the training benefit you and how?

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27. How many people do you think get training from ASAPID?

28. Are there side projects led by women and or youths? Yes. No.

29. If yes name them and state their focus areas.

30. What is the status of peace in this region before the coming of ASAPID?

31. What is the status of peace in the region now?

32. What is the effort made y ASAPID to ensure the changes in the status of peace?

33. Which group of people participate in forest activities before the coming of ASAPID and why.

34. Which group of people is highly participating now and why?

35. What do you think brought about the difference in the levels of participation?

36. What do you think should be done by ASAPID to in order to gain the full participation of both sexes?

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Annex 6 ASAPID ASSESSMENT QUESTIONS

Tick the appropriate answer and explain where necessary.

1. Please explain what ASAPID stands for.

2. Do you think ASAPIDS’ organizational structure is well represented and balanced? Yes. No.

3. If yes state the positions led by women.

4. If no state why.

5. Does the ASAPID executive include members from the local authorities? Yes. No.

6. If no state why

7. Name some important initiations of ASAPID

8. Name the important collaborators of ASAPID and their focus areas.

9. What are ASAPIDS’ main objectives?

10. Do you think ASAPID have achieved its goal? Yes. No.

11. If no state why 12. How often did ASAPID organize meetings?

13. Was ASAPID able to train its member communities? Yes. No.

14. If no state why

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15. If yes state on which areas

16. Are all your planned activities achieved? Yes. No.

17. If no state why

18. What are some of ASAPIDS’ activities other than community forest management?

19. State some of the most important achievements of ASAPID.

20. What will you like your next project to look like?

21. How do you communicate with your member communities and the outside world?

22. How would you like the communication system to be improved in the future?

Documents

Concern universal casamance forest project final evaluation