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TANZANIA NATURAL RESOURCE FORUM

MAMA MISITU CAMPAIGN

2012 - 2016

ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT 2014

Report Prepared by Campaign Coordination Unit (CCU)

Submitted to MFAF

MMC Annual Report 2014

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

List of Abbreviations................................................................................................................................................................ ii

1.0 Summary Of The Report ................................................................................................................................................. 1

Re-design of the MMC program .................................................................................................................... 1

Improved procedures for legality of forest product trade and benefit sharing arrangements ....................... 2

Increased demand for joint development and use of communication materials by MNRT ............................ 2

Strengthened capacity of grassroots' forest private sector initiative ............................................................. 3

2.0 External Factors and Assumptions .................................................................................................................................. 3

National process on forestry governance.................................................................................................................. 3

Improving Public-Private Partnership ....................................................................................................................... 4

3.0 Progress towards the achievement of the targeted objectives and expected results ...................................................... 4

3.1 Outcome 1: Public debate generated on the need for improved forest governance in Tanzania ................... 4

3.1.1 Information sharing through various Forums ................................................................................ 4

3.1.2 The impact of print outlets: ........................................................................................................... 5

3.1.3 The Impact of Social media and TV/Radio programs: .................................................................... 6

3.2 Outcome II: National government, members of parliament and government agencies provide more support to improving forest governance and combating forest crime ........................................................................ 7

3.2.1 Improved procedures for legality of forest product trade and benefit sharing ............................... 8

3.2.2 Improved capacity and incentive for legal forest products trade .................................................... 8

3.2.3 Strengthened multi-stakeholders engagement and dialogue ......................................................... 9

3.3 Outcome III: District authorities and local law enforcement agencies improving their standards of forest governance. ................................................................................................................................................10

3.3.1 Districts fulfill their responsibilities under PFM in accordance with forest policy ...........................10

3.3.2 Improved accountability of the local law enforcers and harvesting committees ...........................11

3.4 Outcome IV: Forest-adjacent communities aware of forest governance issues and the value of forest products, advocating for their rights, increasingly demanding to benefiting from and engaging in PFM. .....11

3.4.1 Increased capacity of the Village Councils and VNRC on their responsibilities ...............................12

3.4.2 Communities fulfil their roles and responsibilities in relation to implementation of PFM and monitoring of forest products trade compliance ...........................................................................12

3.5 Outcome V: Forest-based businesses engaged and active in the fight to improve forest governance. ..........13

4.0 Risk Management Analysis ............................................................................................................................................14

5.0 Critical Issues ................................................................................................................................................................15

I. Termination of the Norwegian Grant to support MMC ................................................................................15

II. Re-design of the Mama Misitu Campaign ....................................................................................................15

III. Exit strategy and Sustainability of the MMC ................................................................................................15

6.0 Annex (Please find attached) .........................................................................................................................................16


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List of Abbreviations

CCU

Campaign Coordination Unit of the Mama Misitu Campaign

CBFM Community Based Forest Management

CSOs Civil Society Organizations

DED District Executive Director

DFO District Forest Officer

FBD Forest and Beekeeping Department

FGLG Forest Governance Learning Group

JET

JFM

Journalists Environmental Association of Tanzania

Joint Forest Management

LEAT Lawyers Environmental Action Team

MCDI Mpingo Conservation and Development Initiative

MFAF Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland

MMC Mama Misitu Campaign

MMC - SC

MJUMITA

Mama Misitu Campaign Steering Committee

Mtandao wa Jamii wa Usimamizi wa Misitu Tanzania (Community Forest

Management Network)

MNRT Ministry of Natural Resource and Tourism

MOU

PFM

SAM

Memorandum of Understanding

Participatory Forest Management

Social Accountability Monitoring

TNRF

TFCG

Tanzania Natural Resource Forum

Tanzania Forest Conservation Group

TFS

VNRC

VC

Tanzania Forest Service Agency

Village Natural Resource Committees

Village Council

WWF World-Wide Fund for Nature


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1.0 Summary Of The Report

The Mama Misitu Campaign is a communications campaign aiming to improve the governance of Tanzania’s forestry resources and reduce illegal forest harvesting, so that the people of Tanzania can increasingly benefit from sustainably managed forests. The campaign came in response to TRAFFIC’s 2007 report on the illegal trade of timber resources in Southern Tanzania. The report recommended community participation in forest management through outreach and advocacy to reduce illegal logging. The campaign was launched in July 2012 and has engaged 10 partner CSOs to build public and private partnerships and networks related to sustainable use of forests and timber resources in Tanzania.

This document reports on activities transpired from January - December 2014. The Mama Misitu Campaign continued to build from past performance in terms of increasing its impact at national level. The following is a summary of key achievements and impacts recorded to date, challenges and lessons learnt.

Re-design of the MMC program

During this reporting period, major activities implemented include the re-design of the campaign following substantial changes in the forestry sector that have also brought in new experiences, challenges and lessons. From these developments and changing dynamics, the priorities of the forestry governance in Tanzania as envisaged then have become even more prominent. Also with the lessons learnt during the implementation of the MMC, Tanzania Natural Resources Forum (TNRF), the implementing partners and the donor have agreed to re-visit objectives, strategies and results of the campaign. The aim is to re-strategize the program with more innovative and cost effective interventions to deliver better results, improve efficiency and add value to both the campaign and p artners. More specific, the re-design is envisaged to improved coordination amongst partners, improved financial system and procedures-including improved internal control, refocused activities with clearly defined results and indicators of success, as well as developing synergies with other funded MFAF programs for wider impacts at national level.

As a result of the re-design process, MMC strategies have been reviewed to focus on building synergies' and improve coordination amongst partners so as to address various challenges noted during implementation. Other strategies adopted include downscaling of direct implementation for clearly defined results at national level. As such the campaign has reduced the number of district partners from four to one as part of sustainability strategy and improving efficiency.


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Improved procedures for legality of forest product trade and benefit

sharing arrangements

MMC engagement at national level has created an entry point for the government and non-state actors to interact and address forest governance challenges. The conducted forest governance hearings and multi-stakeholders roundtables have created a platform for strengthening communication and advocacy on various forestry issues. This has been useful to inform the revision of Forest Policy and the ongoing review of the National Forest Programme (NFP) in terms of incorporating further forest governance objectives. This is an indication of the government’s commitment to put in place appropriate policies and strategies.

As a result of long term national campaign on the need for equitable benefit sharing and reviewed harvesting arrangements in Village Land Forest Reserve (VLFR) during this reporting period the MNRT has officially released the English-version of the Harvesting and Joint Forest Management Guidelines (JFM). The release of the guidelines is expected to strengthen the implementation of PFM only if a simplified Swahili guidelines of the same will be developed and facilitated its understanding to various forestry related stakeholders including Government staff, private sector, communities and NGOs.

As a result of continuing sharing of challenges and lessons through various processes and fora

the campaign during this reporting period has witnessed the implementation of various forest

governance issues and challenges related to the implementation of PFM across the country.

The MNRT has distributed 2,000 copies for each of the management instrument as necessary to

support the implementation of PFM at district and village levels. These include Village Forest

Reserve Ledger, Income and Expenditure Ledger, Village Patrol books, Forest harvesting

Application Form. On the other hand 130 hammers have been made awaiting approval for

distribution to respective villages where harvesting is done.

Increased demand for joint development and use of communication materials by

MNRT

As a result of working with diverse partner’s opportunities for learning and information sharing has increased knowledge management and demand for joint efforts between CSOs and Government. During this reporting period the campaign has experienced ever-increased demand of various forest governance related communication materials.

There has been a request from all the TFS zones across the country to print more special theme

stickers and story calendars to engage citizens on various pertinent issues related to forest

governance.

As a result of improved coordination and capacity in the design of citizens engagement information tools the MNRT has recognised the complementary skills and requested for a


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joint development and distribution of different forest governance tools , including translation of various forestry related guidelines into Swahili/popular version for use across the country.

The MNRT has requested the MMC to bring its innovative ideas and complementary skills to

improve access to information through artistic and quality design of the simplified and well-

communicated Swahili harvesting and JFM guidelines for distribution and use across Tanzania.

Chikambi Rumisha, MNRT Communications Officer: 2014

Strengthened capacity of grassroots' forest private sector initiative

During this reporting period there has been an improved capacity of the grassroots' forest products traders from various districts such as Kilwa, Mkinga, Lindi, Korogwe as a result of the MMC engagement. The established forest trader's associations have created platforms for dialogue and information sharing on issues related to harvesting and sustainable forestry products trade pulling agenda from the grassroots to the national level.

TNRF and its partners believe that grass-roots private sector initiatives working on forest issues are an important entry point in addressing forest management issues related to utilization. If these initiatives are well strengthened, their businesses can be formalized and regulated for the benefit of both the environment and the community. Strengthening of such initiatives could also link them to national dialogues and platforms related to their activities, and hence contribute to advocacy of their rights and responsibilities. - See more at:

http://www.tnrf.org/en/content/tnrf-supported-participation-grass-roots-forest-private-sector-initiatives-and-media

2.0 External Factors and Assumptions

Over the course of this reporting period, a number of external factors and assumption have

evolved that have provided both opportunities and challenges to the campaign. These factors

and assumption include:

2.1 National process on forestry governance

The Ministry of Natural Resource and Tourism (MNRT) has formally released the harvesting and Joint Forest Management (JFM) guidelines. However guidelines are in English language and hence kept in government shelves and are not ready for use by local communities. Initial discussion has been made with the MNRT to translate the guidelines un-fortunately the Government could not allocate funds for the same. This brings another question on the relevancy of the guidelines developed.




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Left :The MMC manager, advocating the use of checklist to enhance legal forest harvesting Right: Awareness rising on sustainable forest harvesting through provision of material and informal discussion on how to use simplified version of Forest Act, popular booklets on ‘Whose forest belongs to’ and others .

2.2. Improving Public-Private Partnership

During the reporting period, the Campaign has continued to build capacity of the private sector to strengthen their platforms at district levels. Lessons learnt from the private sector scoping study indicated inadequate capacity of the private sector dealing with timber and other forest products compounded with the fragmentation of the private sector initiatives at district level. The need to strengthen their platforms and improve their coordination was realised for strengthened public-private partnerships.

3.0 Progress towards the achievement of the targeted objectives and expected results

3.1 Outcome 1: Public debate generated on the need for improved forest

governance in Tanzania

There has been increased conspicuous media coverage and public debate on forest governance issues through established platforms at both local and national levels.

3.1.1 Information sharing through various Fora

In December 2014 the MMC with support from TNRF/WWF-CEAI partnership program participated during MJUMITA annual forum themed 'Harvesting Practices for Sustainable Forest Management' in Dodoma. The event gathered more than 300 participants including Forest Officers, MJUMITA Network members, NGOs staff and communities across Tanzania. Participants of MJUMITA Annual Forum benefited from MMC's presentation on Checklist for Legality of Forest Product Trade from Community Managed Forests.

http://www.tnrf.org/files/TNRF_MJUMITA%20Forum_2014.pptx




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Similarly, the MMC was actively involved in the MCDI annual forum held in Kilwa district. The forum included various forestry stakeholders with adequate participation of the Ambassador of Finland Hon. Sinikka Antila. Also representatives from MNRT, TFS, District Commissioners, CSOs and local communities were present. The MMC distributed various communication products related to forestry activities and showed a video documentary on 'Community Forestry Enterprise' from MCDI's and Impact of MMC pilot work with communities of Nanjirinji, Nainokwe and Kikole villages in Kilwa district.

Left: Ambassador Sinikka Antila delivering a speech during MCDI Annual Forum in Kilwa. Right: Some of Participants who attended MCDI Annual Forum Kilwa

3.1.2 The impact of print outlets: During this reporting period more than 62 articles were

produced in the mainstream media, which has generated various campaign information used in

various debates and in the decision-making organ such as the parliament. The MMC has been

receiving feedback and request of more communication materials1 that were distributed to

communities, members of Forest Working Groups, forest products traders, journalists,

government and CSOs across the country. The campaign is yet to undertake impact analysis of

the materials it has distributed. However through organized discussion fora with government

and other stakeholders it has been realized that the print outlets have had great impact at

national level.

“These stickers have a direct message that touches one’s heart. We use them as the reminder to

our staff, especially at TFS zones. Each door has all the five themes you gave us. We will

appreciate if you could send us more stickers so that we can put them in all check points and

local government officers” said Mr. Charles Ng’atigwa, TFS outreach coordinator

1 2014 calendar stories, stickers and testimonial booklets


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http://www.lindiyetu.com/2014/12/wananc

hi-watakiwa-kuchunguza-na.html

http://www.lindiyetu.com/2014/12/wanasi

asa-watakiwa-kutoshiriki-katika.html

http://www.tnrf.org/en/content/tnrf-supported-

participation-grass-roots-forest-private-

sector-initiatives-and-media

In particular, all print materials, especially calendars, FEMA news-letter and stickers have made

the campaign to be known in different areas across the country. FEMINA on this regard

designed and distributed more than 60,000 copies of Si-Mchezo magazine with different

forestry lessons and best practices to partners and communities in areas where the campaign

does not have physical presence. So far we have received more than 64 calls from various

districts where the campaign doesn’t have physical presence. The callers want to know more

about the campaign and request different information related to forest harvesting and related

trade compliance.

3.1.3 The Impact of Social media and TV/Radio programs: During this reporting period the

MMC continued to share various information through online news-letter, magazine and

TV/Radio programs. Some tailored programs were aired during national and international

events related to forestry. Follow the links below to view some on the MMC activities reported

in the social media and news papers.

http://www.lindiyetu.com/2014/12/wananchi-watakiwa-kuchunguza-na.html

http://www.lindiyetu.com/2014/12/wananchi-watakiwa-kuchunguza-na.html

http://www.lindiyetu.com/2014/12/wanasiasa-watakiwa-kutoshiriki-katika.html

http://www.lindiyetu.com/2014/12/wanasiasa-watakiwa-kutoshiriki-katika.html





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In collaboration with MNRT and MJUMITA the Mama Misitu educated the public during

international forestry events through mainstream media and social media such as facebook and

twitter. Below is the summary of activities conducted through media.

Theme/Event Media outlet Key Feedback/message

World forest day: Unlocking the true potentials of forest

TV: MMC delivered message through Channel ten, TBC, itv Radio: TBC taifa, Radio Tanzania, Mlimani, Tumaini, East Africa, Magic fm and Clouds fm

Charcoal is a threat to our forest, quick alternative is to reduce costs of gas

To have central parts for obtaining tree seedlings

Harvesting regulations are not followed, we are losing alot of money from illegal harvesting

World Environmental day: Raise your voice not the sea level

The MMC delivered message through the following channels. Television – TBC Radio: TBC taifa, Radio Tanzania, Mlimani, East Africa, Magic fm and Clouds fm

Every citizen has a right to protect forestry following the rules and regulations as per government policies. Therefore every one can communicate to any nearer authorities for more information and/or support needed, and where necessary we should hold our leaders accountable

Forestry enterprise Television – TBC Radio: TBC

What procedures should be followed in order to enter into PFM

Request on the copies of copies of guidelines and procedures for CBFM (Swahili simplified version)

Community forest enterprise

Television – TBC

Women’s and forest governance

Radio: Mlimani Women are not fully involved into forest governance discussion and processes

3.2 Outcome II: National government, members of parliament and government

agencies provide more support to improving forest governance and

combating forest crime

MMC engagement at national level has created an entry point for the government and non-state actors to interact and address forest governance challenges. The conducted forest governance hearings have created a platform for strengthening communication and advocacy on various forest issues. This has been useful to inform the revision of Forest Policy and the ongoing review of the National Forest Programme (NFP) in terms of incorporating further forest governance objectives. This is an indication of the government’s commitment to put in place appropriate policies and strategies. Others impacts witnessed include the recent release of the Harvesting and Joint Forest Management Guidelines (JFM)


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3.2.1 Improved procedures for legality of forest product trade and benefit

sharing

Following long-term national campaign on the need for equitable benefit sharing and reviewed harvesting arrangements in Village Land Forest Reserve (VLFR) during this reporting period the MNRT has officially released the English-version of the Harvesting and Joint Forest Management Guidelines (JFM). The release of the guidelines is expected to strengthen the implementation of PFM but only if a simplified Swahili guideline of the same will be developed and facilitated it's understanding to various stakeholders including Government staff, private sector, communities and NGOs.

Due to limited resources and capacity from the Government the MNRT has requested the MMC

to bring its innovative ideas and complementary skills to improve access to information through

designing and printing of the simplified and well communicated harvesting and JFM guidelines

for distribution and use across Tanzania.

A sample of JFM and Harvesting Guidelines released by MNRT

3.2.2 Improved capacity and incentive for legal forest products trade

As a result of continuing sharing of challenges and lessons through various processes and fora

the campaign during this reporting period witnessed the implementation of various demands

and issues raised from the implementation of PFM across the country. Following-up the

implementation of PFM there has been a number of challenges regarding availability of

potential instruments required to facilitate proper utilization and management of forests

sustainably. The table below shows products and tools generated and distributed by the MNRT

to various districts across the country.


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Product distributed by MNRT to Forest Harvesting Districts

Village Forest Reserve Ledger

Income and Expenditure ledger for Village Forest Reserve

Village Patrol schedule books

Forest Harvesting Application Form/license for Village Forest Reserve

Forest entrance request form

Hammer Mark for Village Forest Reserve

Harvesting permit

Village Harvesting License

Source MNRT: 2014

In order to maximize benefits of the tools supported and thereby increasing incentive for legal

forest products trade there is a need to share information to various partners implementing

PFM so they can follow-up the distribution and proper use of the instruments to the village

committee (VNRC). MJUMITA as a national forest network will be strengthened to ensure these

tools are used and the MMC will help in the collection and packaging of lessons learnt for

sharing at national level.

3.2.3 Strengthened multi-stakeholders engagement and dialogue

During this reporting period the campaign has been fostering multi-stakeholders engagement and communication through various forums and meetings. In May 2014, TRAFFIC East/Southern Africa (TESA), WWF Coastal East Africa (WWF CEA) and the Tanzania Natural Resource Forum (TNRF) organised a two-day East African Timber Trade Stakeholders’ Forum at the Giraffe Hotel in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania. The Forum brought together 41 participants from government institutions, regional agencies, civil society and non-governmental organizations, the private sector, and the print and television media. The main aim of the Forum was to support collaboration amongst national and regional agencies and organizations working to address illegal and unsustainable trade through sharing of knowledge from recent and on-going studies on timber trade, and to identify priority actions for 2014 - 2015. The campaign was privileged to present its innovative ideas to improve forest trade incentive

through developed Forest Products Trade Legality Checklist, whereas participants gave their

comments/inputs before its adoption. The checklist has been found to be a potential tool not

only to communities but also traders and the government involved in the trade chain and

monitoring of compliance.

Stakeholders committed themselves to working together to address the following areas of concern: 1. Improve the accessibility of information, credibility of data and monitoring systems; 2. Promote incentives for legal and sustainable timber production and trade; 3. Counter illegal timber trade through improving the effectiveness of law enforcement and political awareness.


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3.3 Outcome III: District authorities and local law enforcement agencies

improving their standards of forest governance.

The introduction of the forest products trade legality checklist - as a tool to be used at low as at the community level will ensure greater transparency on timber harvesting and trade. Consequently the Social Accountability Monitoring (SAM) tool developed through the MMC partnership with Policy Forum will as well facilitate transparency and upholding of the critical standards on how the forest revenues are collected, prioritised and spent. The MMC is positioned to use these tools to engage in the districts to enhance standards of forest governance.

3.3.1 Districts fulfill their responsibilities under PFM in accordance with forest

policy

During this reporting period the MMC has been following-up implementation of Social

Accountability Monitoring (SAM) Processes in Kilwa, Kibaha, Kisarawe and Rufiji Districts. The

objective stems to use SAM tools to engage district councils to prioritize and allocate funds for

the implementation of PFM in their districts. As a result of SAM processes, there has been a

challenges related to access to information on various plans, income and expenditure reports

from the district as witnessed in Kilwa district. However the documents were readily available

in Rufiji district for the SAM team to review and provide their recommendations.

Some of the challenges noted from SAM include use of the revenue from forestry to support

other sectors and activities that do not directly support growth of the forestry sector in Kibaha

and Kisarawe districts.

Following continued dialogue with some districts there has been an improvement in terms of

fund allocation to PFM through council's own funds as witnessed in Kibaha, Kilwa and Lindi

where three new PFM projects have been initiated.

As a result of improved coordination and cooperation TFS Eastern Zone Office has been working close with MJUMITA members and TFCG staff to facilitate PFM processes in villages around Ruvu North Forest Reserve. The villagers are now preparing management plans as part of the process to benefit from PFM for communities around Ruvu North Forest Reserve with a close support from MJUMITA network members.

Consequently, district partners have been following-up issues related to timely approval of

village management plans and provision of technical support to VNRC. During this reporting

period Lindi district Forest Officers has been supporting the undertaking of forest inventory in

10 villages participating in REDD project, where the community dashboard results were being

discussed. Whereas in Kilwa 3 Village Management Plans were approved and 2 plans each from

Kibaha and Mkinga districts were approved respectively.


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3.3.2 Improved accountability of the local law enforcers and harvesting

committees

Following the establishment of Forest Products traders Associations in the eight target districts

there has been a change in terms of the timely conducting of harvesting committee meetings

thereby increasing incentives for legal forest products trade. During this reporting period all the

eight districts conducted the harvesting committee meetings where traders applications were

discussed and permits to harvest forest resources were issued timely.

The presence of the traders associations facilitated access to information and communications

between stakeholders. On the other hand Village chairpersons and VEOs from all villages

participating in harvesting in Lindi, Kilwa and Mkinga districts have been invited in the District

Harvesting Committee meetings as stipulated in the harvesting guidelines.

There is a call from TFS on the need to strengthened district forest products traders association

as a means to improve communication and corporate relationship in the delivery of various

information related procedures for legal forest products trade. TFS has promised to support

training on how to measure cubic meters for timbers, weight of charcoal bags and improved

charcoal making to build capacity of traders on trade compliance. TFS Eastern Zone Manager,

Bakari Mohamedi: 2014

3.4 Outcome IV: Forest-adjacent communities aware of forest governance

issues and the value of forest products, advocating for their rights,

increasingly demanding to benefiting from and engaging in PFM.

There has been great increase in awareness of men, women and relevant institutions both

at local and national levels with significant lessons learned in four districts namely Kibaha

Kilwa, Kisarawe and Rufiji. Communities are aware and are taking action on illegal timber

trade, challenging their leadership on accountability issues including incomes and

expenditures from forest revenues and forest related land uses and investments in their

areas.

Various campaign materials have been produced and used through various avenues

including the media, public meetings and debates to create the necessary awareness and

for lobbying. This has complemented efforts in community rights and access forest

resources. The remaining challenge is that of PFMs and other community based forest

management arrangements not having generated substantive benefits, which are a vital

part of the MMC’s purpose.


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3.4.1 Increased capacity of the Village Councils and VNRC on their

responsibilities

Increased awareness of village institutions; men and women about the economic value of

forest products, issues on legality of forest product trade, benefit sharing and their rights to the

forest resources has improved capacity of the village council on their roles and responsibilities.

During this reporting period TFCG conducted training on Participatory Forest Management

(PFM) roles and responsibilities to village committee members from 20 villages in Muheza

district. The training has involved 881 (63% men & 37% women). This was among some pending

training activities from the funds supported in 2013.

The project in collaboration with TFS continues to facilitate village communities to undertake

forest patrols and report for any illegal activities in the forest. Discussion made at Kibiti in Rufiji

district in March 2014 between the MMC and TFS agreed to utilize funding from TFS to

participate in joint forest patrols. As a result the following eight villages actively participated in

the patrols across the Ngumburuni Forest Reserve where Ngulakula – reported on illegal

charcoal burning where 44 bags of Charcoal were confiscated, Mangwi – 76 poles, Muyuyu –

reported four times on illegal log cutting at Ngumburuni Forest Reserve using license allocated

for other location. Total of 110 logs were confiscated. Consequently Kiwanga – reported on 450

timber planks, which were to be transported to Zanzibar through illegal ports.

There has been improved information sharing between village communities and TFS where

communities have been reporting on illegal harvesting. And TFS has been proactive to respond

to communities' request but in some cases it has become difficult due to limited communication,

resource constraints and timing.

3.4.2 Communities fulfil their roles and responsibilities in relation to

implementation of PFM and monitoring of forest products trade

compliance

During this reporting period MJUMITA has been gathering information regarding various

reported forest related crimes from Lindi and Mkinga districts through their reporting

dashboard. In Kiwawa village 40 timber planks were confiscated in cooperation between

the village and district authorities where on-the-spot sanctions were deliberated. On the

other hand in Milola village a man and his family injured the VNRC member during patrol

where 3 culprits were arrested and case is on progress at Lindi Court.


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A crime was reported from Mkinga where about 61 pieces of timber were confiscated at

Mtawatawa Village. It was patrol output made by Village leaders and MJUMITA network

members. 20 pieces of timber were sold to finance the process of collecting the pieces of

timber from the forest to the district town.

As part of improved coordination a Lindi Forest Traders Association - UMIKIWAMI network

in Lindi worked with the Zonal TFS office to arrest illegal harvesters where 33 logs were

confiscated. This has demonstrated the need to involve forest traders in the patrols.

Therefore with the released guidelines on harvesting and benefit sharing by the MNRT it is

envisaged that communities will be enthusiastic to understand the guidelines and embrace

them as an engagement tool with the government to demand for their rights to benefit

from forest resources. This is a challenge ahead MMC and other partners to popularise the

guidelines to ensure adequate understanding by communities and monitor particular

changes related to substantive benefits generated from PFM engagement.

Story on reduced incidences of illegal logging in Ruvu South Forest Reserve

During this reporting period there has been observed impact on reduced illegal harvesting of

forest product especially in Ruvu South Forest Reserve due to increased awareness. The

situation has kept on improving in Ruvu South forest due to the fact that there is adequate

participation of communities in undertaking forest patrols in Kibaha district. Incidences of illegal

harvesting have been controlled where charcoal burning is rarely seen in Soga and Kipangege

villages contrary to the past. Also, communities in villages around Ruvu South Forest Reserve

have prioritized forestry issues as a permanent agenda in the village quarterly assembly

meetings. This has increased participation and ownership of the forestry issues and hence

contributed to sustainable forestry management.

3.5 Outcome V: Forest-based businesses engaged and active in the fight to

improve forest governance.

3.5.1 Strengthened capacity of grassroots' forest private sector initiative

During this reporting period there has been an improved capacity of the grassroots' forest products traders from various districts such as Kilwa, Mkinga, Lindi, Korogwe as a result of the MMC engagement. The established forest trader's associations have created a platforms for dialogue and information sharing on issues related to harvesting and sustainable forestry products trade pulling agenda from the grassroots to the national level.

The MMc and its partners believe that grass-roots private sector initiatives working on forest issues are an important entry point in addressing forest management issues relat ed


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to utilization. If these initiatives are well strengthened, their businesses can be formalized and regulated for the benefit of both the environment and the community. Strengthening of such initiatives could also link them to national dialogues and platforms related to their activities, and hence contribute to advocacy of their rights and responsibilities.

MMC partners have been supporting the constitution making and registration process of the

forest products traders associations in nine districts with the aim of strengthening their

organizational and resource mobilization skills capable to engage in various advocacy processes.

The campaign has conducted training on leadership and constitution making processes to 156 forest products from Lindi, Rufiji, Kisarawe, Kibaha and Kilwa districts. The official registration of these associations has increased recognition from the government and hence facilitated communication and participation on TFS meetings and activities.

The way forward to improved public-private partnerships is to facilitate registration of the

traders associations, membership legislation and code of ethics to ensure self regulation of the

forest traders associations. These will be pre-requisite for the forest traders’ engagement in the

multi-stakeholders platforms.

4.0 Risk Management Analysis

Type of Risk Mitigation Factor

Way forward

Action

Proposed time table

Responsible person

1. Staff qualification/expertise

Continuous assessment and reviews has been done, recommendation and support is normally given to partners during field visits.

Update partners capacity assessment to determine development from the initial capacity assessment in 2012; Implement auditors recommendations regarding addressing partner's financial management risks

Quarter 1 2015

TNRF

2. Past performances (Reporting and Audit findings)

3. Internal control Risks ( e.g. Sufficient documentation , access controls, procurement policies compliances and grants policies )


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5.0 Critical Issues

I. Termination of the Norwegian Grant to support MMC

One of the challenges experienced is the termination of the Norwegian grant to support the implementation of the MMC. The envisaged coping mechanism include down-scaling of the MMC direct implementation at district level and focus in areas where successes and tangible results can be noticed or expected.

II. Re-design of the Mama Misitu Campaign

As a result of the re-design process MMC strategies have been reviewed to focus on building synergies' and improve coordination amongst partners so as to address various challenges noted during implementation. Other strategies adopted include downscaling of direct implementation for clearly defined results national level. As such the campaign has reduced the number of district partners from eight to two as part of sustainability strategy and improving efficiency.

III. Exit strategy and Sustainability of the MMC

Having operated for three years and owing to the reduced financial resources, MMC will employ the following exit strategies:

Downscale direct implementation areas from eight districts to a maximum of two with indirect support to other four districts and with prioritization of interventions. This will allow MMC focus on innovative interventions that can demonstrate practical results and generate lessons for up-scaling in future interventions.

Build and enhance the partnership focusing on strategic interventions with and between partners where they would take up additional roles under MMC outcomes that may not attract further resources from MMC.

Build capacity for the business community to operate responsibly and local communities on sustainable forest management.

Facilitate the uptake of developed tools (forest product trade legality checklist and Social Accountability Monitoring tool and the Benefit sharing and harvesting guidelines) that are meant to build compliance and create incentives for both private sector and communities’ engagement in good forest governance.

Capacity development on law enforcement use using the training manuals developed for communities. This will ensure sustained involvement by communities beyond the MMC timeframe.


16

Document and share lessons from the campaign for replication/up-scaling by other partners in other parts of the country

Work with MNRT as close as possible as they are the custodian’s of the forests and will take more responsibilities when the MMC lapse.

6.0 Annex (Please find attached)

I. Financial Report

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