(TCP PROJECT EXAMPLE)

I. PROJECT SUMMARY
(Brief description of the project expectations and outcome)

II. BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION

Forests cover about xx% of XXX, or about xxx hectares. Although mountainous terrain and a dispersed forest ownership structure are obstacles to full utilization of the country's wood production potential, the growing stock as well as the annual increment of wood are growing steadily. Forest related exports were valued at about $xxx and imports at around $xxx in 1999.

As in other places in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), the Forest Service approach to forest management has been fairly highly centralized with most rights and responsibilities residing in the Government. Forestry extension was limited, forest agents were mainly involved in application of restrictive rules and regulations. In the early 1990s it became clearer that this approach was not assuring sustainable management. In addition, certain political changes opened the door for a more decentralized approach with more local empowerment and private ownership.

Massive areas of forestland have been put into private hands in Central and Eastern Europe over the past ten years. These "new owners" have sometimes limited experience and knowledge of forest management and are putting significant demands on local forest services for support in sustainable forest management. Forest services in these countries are faced with a whole new class of forest owners in addition to different civil society dynamics. However they lack skills and experience in dealing and communicating with private owners and other sections of civil society. There is a risk of unsustainable forest management, safety concerns, loss of biological diversity, and loss of economic and social benefits if mechanisms and systems are not developed and skilled staff not trained. Many factors are involved, including liberalization and EU policy and regulations. Changes in formal forestry curricula are needed for longer-term improvements, but are difficult and inadequate in the short term to respond to immediate and critical needs.

The Forest Department is also concerned that national level policy changes are useless or dangerous unless they are implemented at the field level and are reflected in the daily behaviour of foresters, villagers, local administrative officials and others. Field level personnel, although aware of policy changes, have received little training either in their content or in development of the skills necessary.

In order for forest policy to make a difference in the field, foresters have to be trained and develop the appropriate knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviour. In addition, they must be able to train others in the policy and its implications, such as the rights and responsibilities of local communities.

There are many sources of appropriate training within the region and beyond. However, these sources can be fairly distant and scattered. Therefore networks need to be formed and distance learning tools developed to tap into the expertise that exists.

The Government of XXX has recognized this transition and has urgently requested support for in-service training for existing forestry staff in techniques, tools, attitudes, and skills for inter-acting and supporting private forestry and public participation. This programme will serve as a model programme to be replicated by the Government of XXX and integrated into the training curriculum of the in-service training unit of the Ministry.

The three target groups must be addressed. In-service training is urgently needed for forestry field staff, particularly those in direct contact with private and family forest owners and those responsible for contacts and collaboration with other stakeholders such as NGOs, forest users, and the private sector. Second, a small core of facilitators and trainers needs to be developed to assure continuity and sustainability of training. This group could come from several organizations including the forest service, forest research institutes and educational organizations and NGOs. Lastly a small group of educators should be involved because elements of the training programme need to be integrated into on-going training programmes in order to give present and future foresters the knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviour necessary to support private forestry and public participation.

The consequences of poorly managed forests are mainly economic, and XXX's economy relies heavily on its forest resources. Poor forest management can lead to lower overall wood production and lower economic returns vital to the country's economy. Environmental and social objectives related to forestry can also be adversely affected when forests are poorly managed. The XXX Government considers the request as urgent in order to prevent further deterioration of the situation which might otherwise lead to serious and long term economic, environmental and social disadvantages and losses.

This capacity building project will immediately upgrade about 30 foresters, and integration of the training module into the on-going programmes of forestry-related institutions and periodic in-service sessions will have a real catalytic effect. Over five years a majority of XXX foresters could be reached. A training of trainers programme, would also address the needs of a small group responsible for training and education. The programme, at the end of TCP assistance, would be able to build capacity in support systems and public participation that would have a large spread effect as progressively more people are trained in forest management to safeguard the forest resource and economy.

III. OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSISTANCE

The objectives of the project are capacity building in participatory approaches of the forest service and related support systems for improved forest management through:

- programme development of in-service and continuing education and institutional strengthening in support of private and family forestry; and
- upgrading of the capacities through training of approximately 30 forestry professionals and about 6 trainers in participatory approaches.

IV. PROJECT OUTPUTS (RESULTS)

The project will have the following outputs:

- a cost-effective, fully designed and tested distance-learning, in-service training module (in English and in the country's language) for forestry support systems for XXX;
- up to 30 XXX forest service staff (field staff and managers responsible for public contacts) trained;
- up to 10 other partners trained (NGOs, associations, etc.);
- 6 in-country facilitators/trainers trained (including educators from training institutes);
- a sustainable training support network formed with academic and training institutions in Europe and North America (depending upon expertise) with experience in supporting family and private forestry;
- a sustainable, effective and efficient programme and long-term plan designed for capacity building in participatory forestry.

V. WORK PLAN

The proposed duration of the project is xx months.

The approach would include the use of:

- distance learning and continuing education,
- the commitment and participation of local forest services and forest owners and other partners,
- new developments in information and communication technologies (Internet learning, video conferencing, etc), and
- university partnerships.

The indicative themes and topics the in-service training module would include:

- participatory approaches (needs assessment, facilitation of meetings, etc)
- group promotion
- gender considerations
- adult-learning techniques (interpersonal skills, team building, group learning, etc)
- extension methods (material development, design of materials, etc.)
- communication for development
- programme evaluation
- conflict management
- critical self assessment
- others as identified.

Approximately 30 staff of the national forest service, plus representatives from forestry NGOs, forestry associations and other forest services in the region, would participate at the local counterpart training organization in a three-week in-service training session designed to improve their skills in supporting private and family forestry. Local training organizations and NGOs would contribute to sub-modules in the areas in which they have particular expertise. The full module would be facilitated by local trainers with support from visiting facilitators from contributing Universities and NGOs. Some sessions would be delivered through Internet or video conferencing technologies with partners in their home institutions.

The work plan includes the following activities:

Month 1
- preparation of a detailed project work plan;
- definition of project strategy implementation; and
- recruitment/selection of National Consultants.

Month 2
- review of forest policy implications on participatory forestry, training techniques and training opportunities;
- inception Government seminar (one day) and brainstorming;
- training needs analysis

Months 3 and 4
- training needs analysis;
- review of forest policy, participatory forestry training techniques and training opportunities;
- identification of international training partners;
- analysis of working relationships between local foresters and local administration, traditional leaders, local NGOs, local communities and forest owners.

Months 5, 6 and 7
- preparation of a detailed training programme;
- establishment of the training support network (especially for distance -education needs);
- preparation of a detailed programme;
- finalization of the module.

Month 8
- training of facilitators, professors and instructors.

Month 9
- implementation of the module (training of 30 XXX Forest Service staff (with limited participation of representatives from other CEE countries at no project cost).

Month 10
- implementation of the module continued;
- module revised and finalized;
- long-term plan developed;
- proposal to government on continuity.

Month 11
- module revised and finalised;
- Government one-day seminar on project results;
- curriculum finalized;
- evaluation of training module;
- finalization of a draft Terminal Statement.

VI. CAPACITY BUILDING

The objective of the project is to increase the capacity of XXX foresters (in all sectors - government and non-government) to implement the forest policy and strategy which are oriented to family forestry, participation and local empowerment. The project will involve national consultants and counterparts who will work closely with international (regional) and TCCT consultants to widen their knowledge and acquire the necessary extension skills for promoting, supporting and backstopping community-based natural resource management. Up to 30 field foresters will be trained under this project. A permanent training-of-trainers and awareness-of-forest-policy module will be created that will be progressively be given to all foresters by the in-service training unit of the Ministry and partner organizations. Within five years a majority of Government of XXX foresters are expected to have been trained in participatory forestry. In addition, the training module will serve as a model for other Central and Eastern European countries and will help establish a network within and outside the region for continual information exchange, training and policy development.

VII. INPUTS TO BE PROVIDED BY FAO

Personnel:
- one TCCT consultant in forestry training (participatory forestry, adult education, training of trainers, forestry education and training needs assessment) for 3 p/month in two missions (Terms of Reference in Annex II);
- one international consultant in participation, group promotion and public involvement for 1 p/months in two missions (Terms of Reference in Annex III);
- one national consultant in training of trainers, curriculum development and training design for 8 p/months in two assignments (Terms of Reference in Annex IV);
- one national consultant in forestry education for 3 p/ months in two assignments (Terms of Reference in Annex V);
- one retired expert in participatory monitoring and evaluation and curriculum development for 3 p/month in two missions (Terms of Reference in Annex VI);
- Technical Backstopping by the Community Forestry Officer FONP, FAO Headquarters for four weeks in three missions (Terms of Reference in Annex VII).
- Technical Backstopping by the Forestry Extension Officer from the Forest Conservation, Research and Education Service, FORC, FAO Headquarters, for three weeks in two missions (Terms of Reference in Annex VIII).

Official Travel
A budgetary provision is made for in-country travel by the TCCT consultants and the FAO staff related to the project within the country.

General Operating Expenses
General Operating Expenses will be up to cover communication costs, preparation of training material and their translation, translation of the forest policy into one local language, material for the international consultants and for the one-day seminar for a project report.

Contracts
Contracts for agreements with participating Universities and training organizations to provide specific aspects of the training module such as conflict management, participation, gender issues, extension methods and management and communication (Annex IX).

Materials and Supplies
The cost of materials and supplies will be up to cover small supplies for training materials and related activities.

Equipment
Equipment will be procured by the project, to include distance learning and networking equipment and hook-ups, and software, including natural resource management training simulations (Fishbanks, FORTOON) and training materials.

Direct Operating Costs
Direct expenses at FAO Headquarters connected with the implementation of the project.

Training
The entire project is a training activity. The Government will organize the initial start-up and final one-day workshops. These will be held in XXX for 20 participants including the managers and consultants and representatives from the training group.

VIII. REPORTING

The National Project Coordinator will submit to FAO quarterly progress reports in English on project activities.

The TCCT Forestry Training Specialist together with the National Project Coordinator will prepare a draft Terminal Statement, in accordance with TCP procedures, for finalization at FAO Headquarters and formal submission to the Government of XXX. The Terminal Statement will be based on the major findings and recommendations of the National and TCDC Consultants who will prepare individual reports on their activities (these reports should be available in English and in the country's language).

IX. GOVERNMENT CONTRIBUTION AND SUPPORTING ARRANGEMENTS

The Government will provide adequate office space, office equipment and supplies, telecommunication facilities and local transport as well as all necessary counterparts (including the national facilitators to be trained as trainers) and administrative and clerical support staff and also a National Project Coordinator (NPC) at senior level for the whole duration of the project (TORs in Annex I). The NPC will be responsible for project implementation. In addition, the Government will make all necessary arrangements for clearance of consultants, customs clearance of equipment, and tax-free local purchase of project equipment and supplies. The Government will assist in organizing and implementing the three-week workshop and will bear all expenses related to the start-up and final one-day seminars. The Government will provide training venues and facilities
for all training sessions.

The Government will meet all internal travel, translations, supplies, training and general operating expenses above the level of the project contribution.

PROJECT BUDGET COVERING FAO INPUTS
(In US Dollars)

Country: XXX

Project title: Capacity Building for Support to Private forest owners and Public Participation

Project number: TCP/XXX/_____

Annex 1

TERMS OF REFERENCE

National Project Coordinator

The National Project Coordinator will be appointed by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food full time and for the duration of the project's implementation. In close cooperation with the XXX Forest Service, and under the general guidance of the FAO Forest Resources Division, and in close collaboration with the project team of national and international experts, he will be overall responsible for the management and coordination of all government inputs, and for implementation of all activities. In particular he/she will:

1. assure the preparation of the work plan of the project;

2. ensure collection of all essential documents and material relevant to project implementation;

3. assist in the identification and recruitment of national consultants and other resource people as needed;

4. provide support to consultants and counterparts in carrying out the planned project activities;

5. arrange meetings, visits, interviews and working sessions for consultants with relevant resource people in government as well as non governmental organizations;

6. assure all administrative and logistical arrangements for project activities and consultants, and especially for the three-week workshop - including all hook-ups for distance learning sessions and invitations to participants and resource people both with and outside of XXX;

7. assure that the activity is adequately integrated into government programmes and plans and that a long term plan is developed for in-service training and a network of supporting organizations is established;

8. submit to FAO quarterly progress reports in English on project activities, besides obliging to Government reporting obligations;

9. assist in the preparation of the terminal statement of the project.

Annex II

TERMS OF REFERENCE

TCCT Consultant in Forestry Training

Under the general supervision of the head of the FAO Forestry Department and under the general guidance of the Director of the Forest Resources Division, and in close collaboration with the staff of the XXX Forest Service as well as the National Project Coordinator, and the project team of national and international experts, the consultant will co-ordinate and assure the implementation of training activities. In particular he/she will:

First mission (one month)

1. participate in the preparation of the detailed work plan;

2. develop a draft programme of training techniques and approaches for use in the training workshop;

3. prepare a training needs assessment;

4. prepare an outline of the training and training of trainers elements for the workshop;

5. organize resource people and institutes to support the training module;

6. prepare a mission report.

Second mission (two months)

1. train the facilitators;

2. finalize the TOT module;

3. participate in the training workshop;

4. assist in the evaluation of the training workshop;

5. Prepare a report, complete of material produced and of conclusions and recommendations.

Language: English

Duty station: XXX

Annex III

TERMS OF REFERENCE

International Expert in participation, group promotion and public involvement

Under the general supervision of the head of the FAO Forestry Department and under the general guidance of the Director of the Forest Resources Division, and in close collaboration with the staff of the XXX Forestry Service, the National Project Coordinator and the project team of national and international experts, the consultant will develop training content in participation and public involvement. In particular he/she will:

First mission (1 week)
1. analyze the present situation for public participation and involvement in forestry including participation of the public, of interest groups, and of private forest owners;
2. make recommendations within the framework of the enabling environment to improve, encourage and increase sound and sensible public participation;
3. analyze and make recommendations on present systems of managing natural resource conflicts;
4. analyze the status of forest groups and make recommendations on options for organizing small forest owners;
5. assist in the design of the overall training module;
6. prepare a sub-module on public participation, group promotion and accommodating multiple interest in forestry;
7. Prepare a mission report.

Second mission (3 weeks)
1. participate in the workshop and teach the sub-module on participation;
2. revise the sub-module as necessary;
3. assist in evaluating the workshop results;
4. prepare a final report, complete of material produced and of conclusions and recommendations.

Language: English

Duty station: XXX

Annex IV

TERMS OF REFERENCE

National Consultant in training of trainers, curriculum development and training design

Under the general supervision of the head of the FAO Forestry Department and under the general guidance of the Director of the Forest Resources Division, and in close collaboration with the staff of the XXX Forest Service, as well as the National Project Coordinator and national and international experts, the consultant will develop the training methodologies and assist in the training of facilitators. In particular he/she will:

First mission (3 months)
1. participate and contribute to the design of the pedagogical (adult education) aspects of the training programme;
2. analyze the needs for training of trainers;
3. develop a training of trainers sub-module for the course;
4. assure that all other sub-modules use appropriate adult education and TOT techniques;
5. train the facilitators in TOT and adult education;
6. identify resource material and people and institutions in-country and within the region to support in-service training in these areas;
7. present a report complete of training material produced and recommendations.

Second mission ( 5 months)
1. participate in the workshop and assist the facilitators in teaching the sub-modules and teaching methods for the other sub-modules;
2. develop a support network both nationally and regionally in TOT for forestry;
3. evaluate the workshop results;
4. present a report complete of conclusions and recommendations.

Language: English

Duty station: XXX

Annex V

TERMS OF REFERENCE

National consultant, Forestry education specialist

Under the general supervision of the head of the FAO Forestry Department and under the general guidance of the Director of the Forest Resources Division, and in close collaboration with the staff of the XXX Forest Service, as well as the National Project Coordinator and national and international experts, the Forestry education specialist will develop, assure and contribute to the training module and its implementation. In particular he/she will:

First mission: (1 month)
1. analyze the present forestry educational system in light of the increasing needs to support private and family forestry and increased public participation including many groups with conflicting demands on forests;
2. assure the integration of the module into the normal, regular and periodic training of foresters in formal training and educational institutions;
3. prepare a sub-module on education for participation and family forestry;
4. develop means of integrating constant learning into organizations and institutions responsible for interaction between forestry groups;
5. prepare a report, complete of training material produced and of recommendations.

Second mission: (two months)
1. assist in the training workshop and help teach the sub-module on education;
2. assist in evaluating the workshop results;
3. finalize plans for the integration of the module and parts thereof into formal educational curriculum;
4. prepare a report complete of conclusions and recommendations.

Language: English

Duty Station: XXX

Annex VI

TERMS OF REFERENCE

Retired expert in participatory monitoring, evaluation and curriculum development

Under the general supervision of the head of the FAO Forestry Department and under the general guidance of the Director of the Forest Resources Division, and in close collaboration with the staff of the XXX Forest Service, as well as the National Project Coordinator and national and international experts, the retired expert will provide inputs in participatory forestry and curriculum development. In particular he/she will:

First mission: (1 month)
1. prepare a brief analysis of evaluation and monitoring systems for extension and participation in forestry;
2. analyze existing curriculum in terms of participation, extension and monitoring and evaluation;
3. assist in designing the overall training module;
4. make recommendations for curriculum development;
5. assist in design of the extension sub-modules and the sub-modules dealing with participatory monitoring and evaluation;
6. prepare a report complete of material produced and recommendations.

Second mission: (2 months)
1. assist in teaching the sub-module on monitoring and evaluation;
2. revise the sub-module as needed;
3. participate in the evaluation of the training programme;
4. make recommendations for integration into formal curriculum;
5. prepare a report complete of conclusions and recommendations.

Language: English

Duty station: XXX

Annex VII

TERMS OF REFERENCE

FAO Technical backstopping Community Forestry Officer

Under the general supervision of the head of the FAO Forestry Department and under the general guidance of the Director of the Forest Resources Division, and in close collaboration with the staff of the XXX Forest Service, as well as the National Project Coordinator and national and international experts, the Community Forestry Officer will provide technical backstopping in community forestry, conflict management, gender and networking techniques. In particular he/she will:

First Mission: (1 week)
1. analyze the situation in XXX in terms of participatory forestry, institutional framework (forest policy and legislation) gender, conflict management and networking;
2. assist in the design of sub-modules on participatory forestry, gender, conflict, and networking;
3. propose a network of people and institutions to continuously backstop these components;
4. prepare a mission report.

Second Mission: (1 week)
1. Review progress made in the preparation of the training modules
2. Coordinate the work of the various consultants
3. Provide support for the preparation of the module on participatory approaches
4. prepare a mission report

Third mission: (2 weeks)
1. assist in the implementation of the workshop;
2. assist in evaluation and design of the final module;
3. prepare a report, complete of conclusions and recommendations.

Language: English

Duty station: XXX

Annex VIII

TERMS OF REFERENCE

FAO Technical backstopping forestry extension officer

Under the general supervision of the head of the FAO Forestry Department and under the general guidance of the Director of the Forest Resources Division, and in close collaboration with the staff of the XXX Forest Service, as well as the National Project Coordinator and national and international experts, the Forestry Extension Officer will provide technical backstopping in extension and informal education. In particular he/she will:

First Mission: (1 week)
1. prepare a brief analysis of extension, participation and mechanisms for accommodating multiple interests in forestry in XXX;
2. assist in designing the overall training module;
3. assist in developing a network of responsible partners in supporting private and family forestry in-country and within the region;
4. assist in design of the extension sub-modules and the sub-modules dealing with accommodating multiple interests;
5. prepare a mission report.

Second mission: (2 weeks)
1. assist in the implementation of the training module particularly aspects relating to extension, accommodating multiple interests, conflict, institutional arrangements and TOT;
2. assist in evaluation and design of the final module;
3. prepare a report complete of conclusions and recommendations.

Language: English

Duty station: XXX

Annex IX

Contracts and Letters of Agreement

Expertise in several crucial areas of supporting private forest owners and public participation and outreach are not available in-country. Several outside organizations - especially universities and NGOs, have proven strengths in these areas and agreements will be reached with them to support training through design, material development and distance-learning tools in the following areas: participatory approaches and group promotion; extension methods (material development, design of materials, etc.) and management; communication for development, and accommodating multiple interests and conflict management

Participatory approaches and group promotion:
An NGO will be contracted to provide training and backstopping in participatory techniques as a 2 to 3 day sub-module of the 3-week training course. This includes development of training materials, both hard copy and web based, training techniques and content and support for the delivery of this theme during the workshop.

Extension methods (material development, design of materials, etc.) and management:
A university or training centre will be contracted to develop a forestry extension methods and management sub-module of about 2 - 3 days for use during the workshop. This will include training materials, techniques and content as well as support during the actual training either through distance education and/or by providing resource persons.

Communication for development:
A NGO or university will be contracted to develop training materials, techniques and content in communication for development. This will include the design and implementation of a 2-3 day sub-module during the training workshop. Support will either be by providing resource people or by distance learning techniques

Accommodating multiple interests and conflict management:
An NGO or training institute will be contracted to provide training materials, techniques and content as well as support during the actual training either through distance education and/or by providing resource persons in conflict management. They will design a 2-3 day module on this topic and support it during the workshop.