Exploring a New Approach to Partnerships in Forestry

Background

To advance existing forest partnerships, adapt to changing international views of forestry, and to help guide its work in the sector, the World Bank sought to galvanize an innovative approach to coordination within the sector that would link local needs with the global forest agenda.

Believing that this will require reinforced collaboration between civil society, the private sector, governments and donors at local, regional and global levels, the Bank developed an initial concept for what such a framework may look like.

In August 2007, the World Bank asked an independent group (the International Institute for Environment and Development, IIED) to consult with a broad range of stakeholders on the need for, and possible shape of a new partnership framework. The final report on the consultations with over 600 stakeholders worldwide showed there was consensus in several areas:

Agreement that new approach is needed

- A new approach is justified: current isolated forest initiatives are just not solving a large number of entrenched and escalating forest problems effectively.
- Bottom-up process: it should offer a substantial and new focus on action involving forest-dependent stakeholders if it is really to add value.
- Cross-sectoral: It would need to reach beyond the forest sector to recognize and address the interplay between forests and other sectors (agriculture, transportation, water and land management, etc.).
- Designed through participation: Its credibility and success rate will depend on a participatory development process that builds on the current consultation. Linked to this, those consulted felt the World Bank should facilitate and participate in—not lead—the formation of a new approach. 

Developing the Growing Forests Partnerships

While there was agreement on the broad themes presented in the World Bank’s initial concept, respondents felt that there is a need for a shared, overarching vision or principles to unite members in a partnership. There was also agreement that its development needs to take place slow enough to be participatory, but not so slow that it is unresponsive to the fast-growing pressures on forests.

The World Bank has formed a catalytic group with the IUCN, FAO, and IIED to support the creation the Growing Forests Partnerships. A reference group of developing country representatives is helping to develop its governance structure. You can learn more about this initiative here.