Dự án nông nghiệp " Sustainable community-based forest development and management in some high poverty areas in Bac Kan Province ( MILESTONE 5 ) " doc

Filename: CARD-CFM, MS5 Second Six-Monthly Report, FINAL 10 Jan 08.doc



Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development

Project Progress Report



MILESTONE 5

SECOND SIX-MONTHLY REPORT
(1 July – 31 December 2007 inclusive)


Sustainable community-based forest development and
management in some high poverty areas in Bac Kan Province

Project No: 017/06 VIE



Prepared by
Forest Protection Department of Bac Kan Province
Thai Nguyen University of Agriculture and Forestry
and
CSIRO Forest Biosciences

10 January 2008

1
Table of Contents

1. Institute Information 3

2. Project Abstract 4

3. Executive Summary 4

4. Introduction & Background 5

5. Progress to Date 6
5.1 Implementation Highlights 6
5.1.1 CF land allocation 6
5.1.2 Development of CFM plans 6
5.1.3 Implementation of CFM plans 6
Study tour to other CFM projects
Training in nursery propagation
Establish village nurseries
Establish agroforestry models
Support community forest development funds
5.2 Smallholder Benefits 7
5.3 Capacity Building 7
Study tour to other CFM projects.
Training in nursery propagation.
5.4 Publicity 8
5.5 Project Management 8

6. Report on Cross-Cutting Issues 8

6.1 Environment 8
6.2 Gender and Social Issues 8

7. Implementation & Sustainability Issues 9
7.1 Issues and Constraints 9
7.2 Options 9
7.3 Sustainability 9

8. Next Critical Steps 9

9. Conclusion 9

10. Statutory Declaration 9

Logical Framework 13

ATTACHMENT 1:
Community Forest Development Funds (CFDF) 23


2

1. Institute Information
Project Name
Sustainable community-based forest
development and management in some
high poverty areas in Bac Kan
Province
Vietnamese Institution
Department of Forest Protection, Bac

Kan Province
Vietnamese Project Team Leader
Mr Trieu Van Luc, Joint Team Leader
Australian Organisation
Ensis – the Joint Forces of CSIRO and
SCION (From 1 January 2008, now
termed CSIRO Forest Biosciences)
Australian Personnel
Mr Khongsak Pinyopusarerk (Joint
Team Leader), Mr Brian Gunn and Dr
Peter Stevens
Date commenced
March 2007
Completion date (original)
March 2010
Completion date (revised)
(At this date, the completion date has
not been revised)
Reporting period
July 2007 to December 2007 inclusive
Contact Officer(s)
In Australia: Team Leader
Name:
Khongsak
Pinyopusarerk
Telephone:
61-2-6281 8247
Position:
Research Scientist
Fax:

61-2-6281 8266
Organisation
Ensis – the Joint Forces
of CSIRO and SCION
(From 1 January 2008,
now termed CSIRO
Forest Biosciences)
Email:

In Australia: Administrative contact
Name:
Mr Brian Thomas
Telephone:
61-3-9545 2219
Position:
Commercial Manager
Fax:
61-3-9545 2449
Organisation
Ensis – the Joint Forces of
CSIRO and SCION (From 1
January 2008, now termed
CSIRO Forest Biosciences)
Email:



3

In Vietnam

Name:
Mr Tran Van Dien
Telephone:
+84-280-851822
Position:
Director,
Fax:
+84-280-852921

Department of International and
Scientific Cooperation










Organisation
Thai Nguyen University of
Agriculture and Forestry
Email:

2. Project Abstract

The project aims to empower ethnic minority people in four pilot villages in Van Minh
and Lang San Communes, Na Ri District, Bac Kan Province, to manage their allocated
Community Forests. This will be achieved through capacity building activities at
community and government levels, and technical and institutional support, in
participatory forest land use planning, land allocation and extension services as part of
community based forest management. The project will help to improve local livelihoods
of disadvantaged men and women through equal access to forest land, better resource
management and sharing of benefits. New systems will help to minimize forest land
degradation and support forest development and conservation. Newly-developed
information systems, experiences and training methods will be shared with other villages,
Communes and relevant parts of the Province and northern mountainous regions through
numerous information dissemination methods.
3. Executive Summary
The project continued satisfactorily with all the relevant project components completed
according to schedule. This report covers the period July 1 2007 to December 31 2007.

Following the very heavy load of activities during the first six months of the project, most

project activities are now being implemented. Progress and achievements during the period
from July 2007 to December 2007 inclusive are described in this Second Six-Monthly
Progress Report.

Land use planning and land allocation, which were initiated during the first five months of
the project and were discussed in the First Six-Monthly Progress Report, have now been
completed during the current reporting period. Initially it was planned to obtain “Green
Book” (temporary use rights) for the project community forest lands. However, after
discussion among key leaders of communes and villages and with support from Na Ri district
authorities and Bac Kan Forest Protection Department, it was decided to apply for “Red
Book” (long-term use rights). This would give local communities the confidence to
contribute and invest labour and other inputs to the protection and development of CF lands

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for overall local benefit. Red Books for all project CF lands were formally issued on 31
December 2007. The project CFM plans (details reported in the MS4 report) are now
considered official documents after the issuance of Red Books.

There were two capacity building activities during this reporting period. Firstly, a study tour
to other CFM projects in Hoa Binh province between 21-25 September 2007 was led by the
Vietnamese joint project leader, Mr Trieu Van Luc. There were twenty four participants
from four villages in the CARD project area (Na Muc, Khuoi Lieng, To Dooc and Ban Sang
villages). The main objective was to learn about and share experiences in community forest
management and income generation activities. Secondly, separate nursery training courses
were conducted for each pilot village in September-October 2007 and were well attended by
both men and women. Village nurseries were constructed as part of the training. Preparation
of seedlings for agroforestry models and forest plantations is already underway.

Establishment of Community Development Funds progressed well with separate village and
commune meetings facilitated by project field staff. Distribution of seed money ($1000 per

village (about. 13 million VND) to four target village communities is expected to take place
in January 2008.
4. Introduction & Background
The background to the project was fully described in the First Six-Monthly Progress Report,
and most of this information is not repeated here. However, it is worth repeating the Project
Goal, which is:

Sustainable improvement in livelihood security of disadvantaged forest-dependent
people in northern mountainous areas, through empowerment of access to forest and
forest land, influence over forest land management, conservation of the natural
resources and development of relevant skills.

The project will contribute to achievement of the Goal by developing community-based
forest management (CFM) through: (i) ensuring equal access of forest-dependent households
to the common forest; (ii) building capacities within the forest user groups to effectively
represent themselves; (iii) strengthen extension services to enable them to be responsive to
the needs of the forest dependent people; (iv) provide skills to communities to enable them to
develop and manage their allocated forest resources in a transparent and equitable manner;
(iv) raising awareness of and providing training in forest and land policy issues and good
forest governance; (v) promoting sustainable forest and natural resource use to reduce food
shortages by strengthening agroforestry, sustainably producing timber and non-timber forest
products (NTFPs), and training in improved forest management skills; and (vi) promoting the
active involvement of women. These broad objectives are reflected in the formal Objectives
within the project logical framework.

All the participatory and other activities outlined in the project Logical Framework will be
undertaken in ways which are appropriate for the local cultural context, and of course
development of successful CFM models will depend heavily on incorporating all the
indigenous knowledge of both men and women. During these activities, the participants will
be encouraged to indicate the gaps in their skills and knowledge, and to participate in

remedying these deficiencies. Simple indicators of baseline and subsequent competencies
will be devised which suit the participants.

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5 Progress to Date
5.1 Implementation Highlights
5.1.1 CF land allocation
The formal processes of CF land allocation have been completed for all four project villages.
Initially it was planned to obtain “Green Book” (temporary use rights) for the project CF
lands. However, after discussion among stakeholders and with support from Na Ri district
authorities and Bac Kan Forest Protection Department, it was decided to apply for “Red
Book” (long-term use rights). This would give local communities the confidence to
contribute and invest labour and other inputs to the protection and development of CF lands
for overall local benefit. The process to obtain a Red Book is more complicated as the
approval authority is the Land Management Department who must verify that land
boundaries on the maps and on the ground are matching. Application for Red Books as proof
of long-term use rights has been approved by district and provincial Land Management
Departments, and Red Books for three village communities (Na Muc, To Dooc and Ban
Sang) were signed off by the Chairman of Na Ri District on 31 December 2007. Key project
staff from Thai Nguyen (Dr Tran Thi Thu Ha) and Bac Kan (Mr Nguyen My Hai and Mr
Hoang Anh Tuan will witness a formal distribution of Red Books from district authorities to
these village communities in January 2007.

5.1.2 Development of CFM plans
Four CFM plans have been developed (details reported in MS4) and will be formally
approved by district authorities following the finalization of CF land allocation in January
2008. This concludes the formal distribution of CF land to communities for protection and
development.

5.1.3 Implementation of CFM plans

The process started during this reporting period, and will continue for the remainder of the
project.

• Study tour to other CFM projects
A study tour to other CFM projects in Hoa Binh province between 21-25 September 2007
was led by the Vietnamese joint project leader, Mr Trieu Van Luc and Mr Ho Son (TUAF).
There were twenty four participants from two communes (Van Minh and Lang San) and four
villages in CARD project area (Na Muc, Khuoi Lieng, To Dooc and Ban Sang villages). The
main objective was to learn and share experiences in community forest management and
income generation activities. The study tour program included a workshop for participants to
share and learn experiences in CFM activities (for example, the way local communities work
together to protect their community forest and the mechanism to share benefits from cash
crop cultivation), and field visits to view on-ground activities. A full report of this study tour
will be included in MS 11 – Capacity Development.

• Training in nursery propagation
Four two-day training sessions were conducted in September-October 2007, one for each
project pilot village. According to the project budget plan, 20 participants would attend the
training. However, 39 villagers in Ban Sang and 33 villagers Khuoi Lieng attended. The
training began with informal lectures at the village meeting hall, using flip charts prepared
from PowerPoint slides in the Vietnamese language and many drawings and pictures. This
was followed by a practical session focusing on preparation of potting mix and seed sowing.

6
On the second day, trainees and trainers joined force in construction of a nursery. A simple
manual for village nursery operation has been prepared and translated into Vietnamese. A
full report on the nursery training together with the manual will be provided in MS 11 –
Capacity Development.

• Establish village nurseries

As mentioned above a nursery was constructed in each village for preparation of seedlings
which will be used for agroforestry planting and forest plantations. Seed sowing took place
in November. Field project staff in Bac Kan (Mr Nguyen My Hai and Mr Hoang Anh Tuan)
have been working closely with villagers to ensure that all necessary steps are taken to
prepare high quality seedlings. After this first demonstration of nursery establishment,
villagers are expected to be able to establish their own seedlings in future.

• Establish agroforestry models
Although establishment of agroforestry models is not scheduled until April/May 2008, it was
necessary to commence activities such as seedling preparation and designs of the models for
each village. A written implementation plan has been prepared and already reported in MS4.
The models adopt alley cropping between economic tree species (Acacia, Manglietia and
Melia) and cash crops which may vary with the conditions and priorities of different villages.
In addition, Leucaena will be planted as part of the models to provide fuelwood.

• Support community forest development funds
Establishment of community development funds is on schedule. As part of the project each
village will receive $1000 (about 13 million VND) as seed money. In October-November
2007, field project staff facilitated separate village meetings to discuss and develop CFM
fund regulations. On 5 December 2007 a project team comprising Mr Trieu Van Luc, Dr
Tran Thi Thu Ha, Mr Nguyen My Hai, Mr Hoang Anh Tuan and Mr Khongsak
Pinyopusarerk attended two commune meetings at Van Minh and Lang San where the head
of each village and key village members presented their versions of CFD funds regulations
and development plans. After that several village meetings in each village community were
organized to revise and complete the CFD regulations. Details are provided in Attachment
1 in this report. Formal distribution of the seed money is planned in January 2008.
5.2 Smallholder Benefits
To date, given that the project has been implemented for less than twelve months, few
tangible smallholder benefits are evident.

The establishment of community development funds in each project pilot village has been a
very promising step towards enhancing smallholder benefits. Some aspects of these funds
have been described above.

However, a very significant intangible benefit has already been realised, in the form of a high
degree of interest and commitment among virtually all the villagers. This is very promising
for future development of practical methods for Community Forestry Management.
5.3 Capacity Building
Study tour to other CFM projects.


7
This has been described above.

Training in nursery propagation.

This has been described above.

5.4 Publicity
So far there has been little external publicity about the project, but there has certainly been a
great deal of favourable publicity within the four project villages in the two Communes.
There has been very full participation by both men and women at all the meetings and
training sessions, and complete cooperation with the activities which have been undertaken.
Visits to villages during the reporting period and discussions with other project personnel
confirmed that publicity has encouraged the villagers: (i) to be heavily involved with village
meetings to set up Forest User Groups and other administrative bodies; (ii) to be very much
involved with forest surveys, land use allocation and land use mapping; (iii) to participate in
the training sessions; and (iv) to take a keen interest in the establishment of nurseries and the
production of planting materials.

The last of these activities – the establishment of nurseries and training in nursery operations
– has already generated favourable publicity as it becomes obvious around each Commune
that this activity produces very useful outputs and outcomes. The Village Extension Workers
for Van Minh Commune, Ms Hoang Thi Thu, and Lang San Commune, Ms Luu Thi Men,
can be relied upon to spread news around the Commune, as they visit each village on average
at least once every three weeks.
5.5 Project Management
Project management continued to proceed well. Planning meetings for the next phases of the
project took place in September and December 2007, when the Australian project leader
Khongsak Pinyopusarerk visited Vietnam to lead the nursery training course and attend CFM
funds meetings. Regular contact has been maintained between key Australian and
Vietnamese personnel by email and telephone throughout the reporting period. The project
has now secured the full services of three key personnel - Dr Tran Thi Thu Ha (TUAF land
use expert), Mr Nguyen My Hai, extension expert of Bac Kan Agriculture and Forestry
Extension Department, and Mr Hoang Anh Tuan (Kim Hy Nature Reserve). Funds were
transferred to Vietnam for project implementation.
6. Report on Cross-Cutting Issues
6.1. Environment
No specific issues have arisen during the reporting period.
6.2 Gender and Social Issues
Gender balance in the villagers participating in community meetings and receiving training in
the course of the project has been identified as an issue requiring close attention throughout
the project. At least one third of participants attending nursery training courses have been
women, and both commune Village Extension Workers are female.

8
7. Implementation & Sustainability Issues
7.1. Issues and Constraints
Several Issues and Constraints were identified and discussed in the First Six-Monthly
Progress Report. These now appear to have been largely resolved and there are no new

issues and constraints of any significance to be reported here.
7.2. Options
Not applicable – the project is proceeding as planned
7.3. Sustainability
Although it is too early to assess sustainability at this stage, it is promising that the villagers
are keen to participate in project meetings and training activities. For example, meetings to
discuss CFM Guidelines, CFM plans and Community Forest Development Funds were
attended by 100% of households. The number of villagers who attended nursery training
sessions was well above what was planned. The project had to accommodate twice the
number of participants at Khuoi Lieng and Ban Sang villages.
8. Next Critical Steps
The establishment of the four agroforestry models will take place in May 2008, during the
rainy season in northern Vietnam. Mr Brian Gunn will organize two training courses in
agroforestry development to coincide with the timing of tree planting activity. Prior to those
activities, it is important to ensure that seedlings in the nurseries are well maintained and
sites for agroforestry models appropriately cleared and prepared.
9. Conclusion
The first ten months of the project have been extremely busy but excellent progress has been
demonstrated. A sound foundation has been laid for future progress. The villagers are
interested and enthusiastic about the potential benefits to be gained from their efforts and
those of other supporters under the project.

In particular, all the villagers have shown a keen understanding of the importance of
maintaining much of their (identified and allocated) Community Forestry land as Protection
Forest. These decisions were taken by the villagers because they uniformly recognise that
the quantity, quality and reliability of their water sources for drinking, irrigation and fish
production depend almost completely on the maintenance of a healthy catchment.

The main challenge now is to ensure that practical and effective methods of management of
the Community Forestry land are implemented in such ways as to guarantee the sustained

protection of these forest environments, while still allowing some levels of use which do not
degrade their essential environmental stability. In addition, practical income generating
activities must soon be identified and implemented.

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10
Project Progress against Proposed Objectives, Outputs, Activities and Inputs
The entries in this Logical Framework have been updated for the Second Six-Monthly Progress Report.
Performance Indicators for activities which were completed during the reporting period, and are continuing,
are printed in red.
Project Title: Sustainable community-based forest development and management in some high poverty areas in Bac Kan Province.
Project No: 017/06 VIE
Vietnamese Implementing Institution: Department of Forest Protection of Bac Kan Province

Narrative Narrative Performance Indicator Means of Verification Assumptions/Risks
OBJECTIVE 1

Initiate project through gaining acceptance of the
concepts and practices of CFM among the people
in four pilot villages (Na Muc, Khuoi Lieng, Ban
Sang and To Duoc) in Van Minh and Lang San
communes in Na Ri district, Bac Kan province,
and among the relevant Government authorities.
CFM arrangements

introduced and established
based on informed decisions
by village communities and
relevant authorities. Done.
The Objective is still highly
relevant and important.
Report on all Activities under
Objective 1
The assumption is that there
will be willing involvement by
all stakeholders, and the risk is
that this will not occur or be at
an unacceptably low level
OUTPUT 1
OUTPUT 2

1. Baseline Survey 4 pilot villages
2. CFM structure developed and written CFM
guidelines on for four pilot villages. The CFM
structure and Guidelines must be preceded by a
thorough review of current Guidelines for CFM
in Vietnam
Baseline survey completed
and reported. Done.
Stakeholder networks on
CFM established. Done.
Guidelines prepared and
publicised among
stakeholders. Done.
Guidelines prepared with

villagers, and formally
approved by official
channels. Done.
As above
Report on Baseline Survey
Sighting of examples of Guidelines

ACTIVITIES

1.1 Project inception meeting (Mar 07)
1.2 Establish Project Coordinating Committee (PCC)
(March 07)
1.3 Site visits to four pilot villages, including
collection of baseline data on (i) households, (ii)
poverty levels, (iii) problems/attitudes with
1.1 Held on 30 March 2007
1.2 Done on 30 March 2007
1.3 Numerous visits at many
times in the last five
months, and reported in
the Baseline Survey
1.1 Report on inception meeting
1.2 PCC established and functioning
1.3 Number of site meetings and
records of baseline data collected
1.4 All meetings held, and awareness
of CFM indicated by number of

respect to use of local forests, (iv) ownership and
access status, (v) land availability and

l=allocation for CFM, and (vi) opportunities for
project-supported economic, social and
environmental benefits (Mar 07)
1.4 Meetings between People’s Committees at
Commune, District and Provincial levels,
representatives of the Women’s Union, Kim Hy
Nature Reserve (KHNR), and other partners to
promote awareness and acceptance of CFM (Mar
07)
1.5 Establish networks of CFM stakeholders within
villages, Communes and relevant agencies, with
close attention to ensuring the active participation
of women in the planning and implementation of
CFM (Apr/May 07)
1.6 Facilitate establishment of community forest user
groups (FUGs) (Apr/May 07)
1.7 Facilitate establishment of CFM Boards
(Apr/May 07)
1.8 Review current CFM Guidelines (Apr/May 07)
1.9 Develop CFM guidelines (Apr/May 07)
1.4 Numerous meetings held
1.5 Networks established.
1.6 Done.
1.7 Done.
1.8 Current Guidelines have
been reviewed and
modified by consultation
among many
stakeholders, including
villagers

1.9 Done.
villagers male and female
declaring willingness to
participate
1.5 Reports from pilot villages that
networks have been established,
and quantitative evidence of
womens’ participation in specific
aspects
1.6 FUGs established and
functioning
1.7 CFM Boards established and
functioning
1.8 Current Guidelines for CFM
reviewed, and results used in
development of project
Guidelines
1.9 CFM guidelines developed with
full participation of all key
stakeholders
OBJECTIVE 2

To undertake Land Use Planning and Land
Allocation (LUPLA) in four pilot villages
LUPLA has been
successfully completed in
four pilot villages. Done
Verbal and written project reports That all the necessary
personnel, facilities and access
are available to accomplish all

of the Activities within the
allocated time

OUTPUT 3

Completed LUPLA in four pilot villages, with
approval from the District/Provincial Peoples’
Committee for rights of land use
Completed LUPLA in four
pilot villages, with approval
for rights of land use from
appropriate authorities
LUPLA has been
completed, and final
approvals are progressing
Verbal and written project reports There will be no risk in
obtaining approval for rights
of land use as this is under the
jurisdiction of Bac Kan Forest
Protection Department, leader
of this project


12
through official channels for
Red Book issuance (except
Khuoi Lieng village) .
ACTIVITIES

2.1 Establish a task force in each pilot village to

undertake field surveys of local forests (Apr/May
07)
2.2 Undertake appropriate training of the local
government officers and task forces (Apr/May
07)
2.3 Conduct field surveys to evaluate the status of
forest land for land use planning (May/Jun 07)
2.4 Carry out land allocation in the four pilot villages
(Jun/Aug 07)
2.5 Obtain necessary approvals from the
district/provincial Peoples’ Committees for rights
of land use, and agreements for benefit sharing
and forest protection (June/Oct 07)
2.6 Land distribution to communities (Jun/Oct 07)
2.1 Done.
2.2 Done.
2.3 Done.
2.4 Done.
2.5 Done.
2.6 Done.
2.1 Task forces established in each of
four pilot villages
2.2 Appropriate levels of training on
LUPLA accomplished in each of
four pilot villages
2.3 Field surveys completed, with
documentary proof/maps of land
use planning
2.4 Land allocation process
completed

2.5 Approvals obtained and
agreements in place for rights of
land use
2.6 Communities received allocated
land with “Green Book”

OBJECTIVE 3

To develop CFM plans for four pilot villages
CFM plans developed and
approved for each of four
pilot villages.
CFM plans have been
developed and will be
formally approved in
January 2008 following
finalization of CF land
allocation.
Four approved CFM plans available
for all stakeholders
Project reports
That the level of enthusiasm
and involvement among
communities in the pilot
villages is maintained at an
acceptable level
OUTPUT 4

CFM plans, including agroforestry models, for
four pilot villages developed and approved by

relevant authorities
CFM plans developed and
approved for each of four
pilot villages.
CFM and agroforestry plans
have been developed and
the processes of approval
are close to completion.
Four approved CFM plans available
for all stakeholders
Project reports
That the relevant authorities
do not present excessive levels
of bureaucratic inertia and
obstruction towards approval
of CFM plans
ACTIVITIES
3.1 Develop CFM plans in a highly participatory 3.1 Done. 3.1 Verbal and written confirmation

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manner, including attention to markets, tree
species, cropping systems, agroforestry and
institutional analyses Jun/Aug 07)
3.2 Submit the CFM plans to relevant authorities for
approval (Jun/Aug 07)
3.3 Establish village extension networks (Jun/Aug
07)
3.2 Done.
3.3 Done.
that all the necessary information

has been collected, analysed and
incorporated into the CFM plans
3.2 Four CFM plans approved by the
relevant authorities
3.3 Verbal evidence that effective
extension networks exist is each
of the pilot villages
OBJECTIVE 4

To implement CFM plans in four pilot villages
Written and verbal
evidence from the
FUGs and relevant
Government officers
that the four CFM plans
are starting to be
implemented.
The four CFM plans are
starting to be
implemented.
Project reports The risk is that there will not have
been enough time for all four pilot
villages to proceed with effective
implementation within the project
time frame, and enthusiasm may
diminish when external resources
diminish. However, Bac Kan
Forest Protection Department is
committed to provide continuing
support including replication of

CFM models to other locations.
OUTPUT 5

CFM plans implemented in four pilot villages
As above Project reports
Quantitative evidence (numbers of
households, amounts of money) proving
that the economic aspects of improved
livelihoods have been improved over the
baseline situation.

As above
ACTIVITIES

4.1 Implement the CFM plans in four pilot villages,
including strengthening capacity of all the
partners including (i) self-sufficient food security
through use of new crop varieties and cultivation
systems; (ii) forest management activities (forest
protection and conservation, nurseries,
establishing timber and NTFP species,
sustainable harvesting, agroforestry, etc); and (iii)
other income-generating activities (Sep 07/Feb
4.1 The processes have
commenced and
will continue
throughout the
project.
4.2. The agroforestry
models have been

designed and will be
established in May
4.1 Written and verbal evidence of CFM
activities. Reports on the training
which has been accomplished
Quantitative evidence of: (i) improved
food security compared with the
baseline level; (ii) areas and types of
new farming systems; (iii) numbers of
village nurseries, planting stock
produced and tree species planted; (iv)
The assumption is that all four
pilot villages will have made some,
or even substantial, progress
towards fully sustainable CFM,
with associated benefits for
household and community
livelihoods, and conservation of
natural resources.


14
10)
4.2 Establish different agroforestry and Star Anise
plantation models for income generation (Mar
08/Feb 10)
4.3 Establish four nurseries (one in each pilot
village) (Oct 07/Fen 10)
4.4 A workshop on evaluation and dissemination of
agroforestry and Star Anise models (Mar 09)

4.5 Support establishment and operation of
community development funds (Oct 07/Feb 10)
2008 according to
seasonal conditions.
4.3 Done.
4.4 Will be done in
March/April 2008,
as scheduled
4.5 Village meetings
have discussed and
developed CFM
Fund regulations.
The first funds will
be disbursed in
January 2008, to be
utilized according to
the agreed
regulations and
operational
guidelines


areas and types of forest management
activities undertaken, especially areas
of sustainable harvesting of timber
and NTFP species; (v) evidence
(numbers of women, numbers of
meetings) demonstrating that women
are being encouraged to participate
actively in planning and managing

various aspects of CFM and (vi) any
other income-generating activities
4.2 Quantitative and qualitative evidence
of different agroforestry and Star
Anise models, and of the economic
changes related to these
4.3 Workshop report
4.4 Village nurseries established
4.5 Quantitative evidence (numbers,
amounts of funds) of community
development funds, and favourable
verbal reports on the participatory
management of the funds
The risk is that one or more of the
pilot villages may become
discouraged because benefits
appear to be slow in coming and
low in quantity and quality.
Effective training, supervision and
encouragement of the FUGs by
both villagers and Government
officers will be essential to
maintain enthusiasm.
OBJECTIV
E 5

To disseminate CFM models
Number of villages and
Communes which have
been exposed to various

forms of extension
activities about CFM
Reports from Government officers.
Project reports
That all the necessary the
human, financial and other
resources are maintained to
sustain continued extension
efforts.
That appropriate training (and
re-training) in suitable extension
methods is provided to
Government officers and other
stakeholders.
OUTPUT 6
OUTPUT 7

Wide dissemination of effective CFM models and
methods to at least 10 other villages in the local
Communes, and elsewhere in the Province
Output 6 is a Community Workshop
As above As above As above

15
Output 7 is a regional Workshop
ACTIVITIE
S

In the third year of project implementation, disseminate
results of the project by:

5.1 Simplified Baseline Surveys of up to 10 neighbouring
villages progressively from Mar to Nov 08
5.2 Introducing the project’s CFM models to at least 10
other villages in the target Communes, using various
innovative methods (Mar 09/Feb 10)
5.3 Organising one community workshop in Na Ri district
to share results and obtain feedback for further
improvement of CFM models (Mar 09)
5.4 Holding a regional workshop to disseminate results and
promote replication. Participants will include central
and Provincial government agencies, NGOs and
representatives of other donor projects on CFM (Apr
09)
5.5 Use all appropriate methods for promoting CFM,
including radio, TV, written and pictorial publications
and other culturally sensitive methods (Mar 09/Feb 10)
5.6 Producing and distributing guidelines and training
materials for practical CFM (Mar 07/Feb 10)
5.1 Baseline survey report
5.2 Evidence that the CFM models
have been introduced to at least 10
other villages, and that there has
been some uptake of CFM concepts
and practices in some of those
villages, judged by requests for
assistance from extension agencies
5.3 Evidence that the workshop has
been held, with substantial numbers
of participants
5.4 Evidence that the workshop has

been held, with substantial numbers
of participants
5.5 Reports on the methods used for
promoting CFM
5.6 The training materials have been
produced
As above
OBJECTIVE 6

To build the capacity of local communities and
local Government officers to implement CFM
equitably and sustainably
Training courses have all
been planned and
conducted, to the substantial
satisfaction of the
participants as judged by
simple training needs
assessment before and after
each course
Project reports One assumption with all types
of capacity building is that an
adequate training needs
assessment has been
conducted and that the needs
of the participants can be and
have been satisfied to an
extent which is appropriate for
the purpose of the training.
OUTPUT 8

OUTPUT 9

8. Each of the items 6.1 to 6.10 inclusive produces
a Sub-Output, specifying the quantity and quality
of trained persons
9. Baseline Survey repeated, to measure changes
in attitudes, practices and actual/potential
As above As above A risk is that training will be
regarded as irrelevant, is
poorly presented and does not
serve the immediate and long-
term needs of the participants.

16
impacts attributable to the project
ACTIVITIES

Over the 36 months of project implementation,
conduct study tours and training courses in Vietnam
to strengthen human resources capacity for CFM in
the target areas.
6.1 Two 5-day training for 15 people per commune
on LUPLA (Apr/May 07)
6.2 One 4-day training for 15 local government
extension officers and commune leaders on CFM
(June 07)
6.3 One 5-day study tour for 20 key villagers (5 from
each pilot village) to other CFM projects (Sep 07)
6.4 Four 3-day training on nursery propagation for
20 people per village (Sep/Oct 07)

6.5 Four 3-day training on agroforestry income
generation for 20 people per village total 80
people (Mar/Apr 08)
6.6 One 4-day study tour for 20 pilot villagers to
income generation activities (Mar 08)
6.7 Four 2-day training for 20 people per village on
forest laws (Apr/May 08)
6.8 Four 2-day training for 20 people per village on
forest development (Apr/May 08)
6.9 Four 3-day training on sustainable harvest of
forest products (Jun/Jul 08)
6.10 One 4-day study tour for 20 key villagers from
other villages to visit successful models of
income generation activities (May 09)
6.11 Repeat the Baseline Survey to measure changes
in attitudes, practices and actual/potential impacts
attributed to the project (Jan/Feb 10)
6.12 Repeat the simplified baseline surveys of
neighbouring villages to measure changes in
attitudes, practices and actual/potential impacts
attributed to the project (Jan/Feb 10)
Objective measures of
capacity improvement in
target beneficiaries, with
appropriate measures of
understanding of: (i) CFM
attitudes, technical practices
and sustainability; (ii)
nursery operations; (iii)
sustainable harvesting of

non-wood forest products;
and (iv) use and
sustainability of the
Community Forest
Development Funds.

Activities 6.1, 6.2, 6.3 and
6.4 have been completed.

Each training course will be reported
in a standard format, for eventual
incorporation into Project Reports.

Each training course should fulfill
demonstrable needs for the particular
types of participants. Some months
after each training course some or all
of the participants should be asked
for their impressions of the use and
enduring value of the training, and
whether re-training is needed for the
same or different participants.
The assumption is that
sufficient human and financial
resources, and appropriate
facilities, are available in order
to present the required training
activities.

17

18


MILESTONE 5 - ATTACHMENT 1





Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development

Collaboration for Agriculture and Rural Development


Sustainable Community-Based Forest Development and
Management in Some High Poverty Areas in Bac Kan Province
(Project 017/06 VIE)



Community Forest Development Funds (CFDF)

Prepared by
1. Thai Nguyen University of Agriculture and Forestry
2 Bac Kan Forest Protection Department.
3. Kim Hy Nature Reserve
4. Bac Kan Agriculture and Forestry Extension Department

January 2008
1

1. Introduction:
CARD Project 017/06VIE - Sustainable community-based forest development and
management in some high poverty areas in Bac Kan Province" at the four pilot villages,
Na Muc and Khuoi Lieng village (Van Minh Commune) and To Dooc and Ban Sang (Lang
San Commune), Na Ri District, Bac Kan province has been implemented. The first stage of
land use planning, land allocation and CFM plan to village communities was completed
which provides the necessary condition to implement the CFM project. Following this step,
establishment of Community Forest Development Fund is necessary to support the
management and development of community forest by village communities to meet
sustainability.
CFD Fund should be developed with participation of all community members as they are
decision makers. A CFD Fund includes regulations of CFD Fund in details. Regulations of
CFD Fund provide a legal foundation for community members to implement CFD Fund at
the village level.
To meet the contents above, CFD Funds have been developed for implementation at the four
pilot villages of this CARD project.
2. Objectives of CFD Fund
2.1 Establish regulations of CFD Fund
2.1.1 Regulations of CFD Fund
CFD Fund regulations should consider general conditions:
- Within the jurisdiction of laws and appropriate with local traditional culture or
custom
- Clearly stated and easy to understand and implement
2.2.2 Contents of CFD Fund
- Rights and responsibilities of all community members in maintaining and

developing a seed fund
- How to use the fund
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- How to make the fund grow from a small seed fund
- Regulations on penalty for breaking the CFD Fund rules
- Regulations on sharing benefits within community members
- The regulations should be presented to all community member and the need to be
submitted to Commune People's Committee for approval

3. Methods
3.1 Working group
Working team in the field included staff from Thai Nguyen University, Bac Kan Agriculture
and Forestry Extension Department, Kim Hy Nature Reserve, CFM Board and key villagers.
Mr Nguyen My Hai and Mr Hoang Anh Tuan (Bac Kan staff) had a main responsibility for
the fieldwork. Dr Tran Thi Thu Ha (TUAF) provided advice, checking and writing final
report.
3.2 Methods for establishing forest protection regulations
Structure of CFD Fund regulation is prepared in advance, based on related legal documents
and local traditional culture and custom. Group meetings were carried out for discussion and
drawing guidelines how to develop regulations on CFD Fund. The last draft of the CFD Fund
Regulations was presented and updated by the whole village communities through village
meetings. These regulations become formal documents after being accepted by the majority
of village members, and become legal documents after being approved by the local
authorities (commune level).
3.3 Development of CFD Fund
To develop CFD Fund, the following steps are taken:
Step 1- Preparing:
• Working group meetings for discussing CFD Fund
• Meetings between Working group and CFM Board for discussing CFD Fund
• Sharing ideas of CFD Fund with other projects

Step 2- Village meetings
The working group and CMF Board had many meetings with all villagers from different
village communities to discuss and develop CFM Fund regulations. The CFD Fund should
consider some main points as follows:
• Maintaining seed fund
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• Develop the fund from a small seed fund
• Use the fund for forest protection and development
• Safety and sustainable way for CFD Fund management
• CFD plan should be presented and updated to all villagers through a village meeting.
It will become a formal CFD plan after being accepted by the majority of villagers at
the meeting.
3.4 Summary and writing results:
All data/information from group discussion /village meetings should be summarized
following table formats.

4. Results
4.1 Establish Community Forest Development Fund regulations
Regulations of CFD Fund for the four pilot villages have been developed with full
participation of villagers, and both Van Minh and Lang San Commune authorities. The
proposed regulations were subsequently accepted by all members of the village communities
through final village meetings. The final regulations were approved by the Van Minh and
Lang San Commune People’s Committee before seed fund is distributed to each village
community. These regulations become legal documents for the village communities.

The contents of CFD fund regulations are generally similar in the four villages. However,
each village has its own specific focus on how the funds should be used and grown.
4.1.1 Regulations of Community Forest Development Fund for Na Muc Village
Part I: General Regulations
- Community Forest Development Fund is developed by the community through

initial seed money of CARD project. The main purpose of this fund is for forest
development activities in community forest areas in the village.
- Most activities related to community forest development can be carried out using
this fund following the community's regulations.
- This fund will be maintained and grown for long-term purpose.
4
- All activities which benefit from CARD project should make a small contribution
to maintain and grow the fund.
- The fund will be managed by Community Forest Board. Financial issues should
be reported to village meetings to ensure transparency.
- Any village member found to use the fund for personal benefits must refund the
money. Failing this legal action will be taken.
- Contribution to and use of the fund must follow village community's regulations.
- The fund can be used as loan to member of the village community with low
interest, subject to approval by the Community Forest Board.

Part II: Building and Developing Community Forest Development Fund
a) Funding from CARD project
• CARD project contributes 1,000 AUD (13 million VND) as "seed money" to
establish the fund.
• All members within the community who attend and receive payment from project
activities such as training courses, study tours, meeting, plantation, agro-forestry
activities should contribute 10% of total benefits to the fund.
• Households which receive seedlings from the village nursery to plant on their own
land must contribute 50 VND per seedling to the fund (following regulations of
nursery management).
b) Income from timber and non-timber forest products from the community forest area
All timber and non-timber forest products in the community forest areas belong to the village
community (see the community forest management regulations). Therefore, households who
earn income from these products should make a contribution to the CFD funds as follows:

• Contribute 20% of total income from timber harvest to the CFD fund.
• Contribute 20% of total income from non-timber forest product harvest such as
mushroom, fruits, and medicinal plants to the fund.
• Households within the village community are permitted to use timber from the
community forest areas to build their houses; they have to contribute 20% of the total
value to the fund. The quantity of timber is limited by the community’s decision.
• The community nursery will continue to produce seedlings after the completion of
CARD project. Any household wishes to obtain seedling from the community nursery
5
for own plantation has to contribute 50 VND per seedling to the fund (see
Regulations of nursery management).
c) Interest from loan
• About 50% of total amount of the CFD fund can be used for loan for agricultural and
forestry production with low interest 0.5% per month based on the demand of
members of the community forest. Each household can borrow up to one million
VND with repayment within 6 months. Income from interest payments on the loans
will be put into the fund
d) Compensation from illegal actions following CFM regulation
• All compensations from illegal actions as specified in the CFM regulations will be
put into the fund.

Part III: Rules on Use of the Fund
The fund can be used for the following purposes:
a) Forest protection
• Payment for forest patrolling task:
+ Rate 10,000 VND/day or 30,000 VND/night.
+ Payment up to 20 days per month in the dry season and 10 days per month in the
rainy season.
• Purchase of equipment for forest patrolling task:
+ 4 rain coats, 4 torches and batteries, 4 hats, 4 shoes.

+ other equipment as needed.
b) Purchase of nursery materials and tools
• Buying tools for nursery such as pumps, baskets and other following needs from the
field
• Paying electric bills for irrigation
• Buying materials such as plastic bags, seeds, shade clothes and others when CARD
project stop funding.
c) Others
• 15,000 VND per day to buy tea for general nursery and plantation work.
• 15,000 VND per day to buy tea for village community meeting on CFM.
• 100,000 VND for making annual Community Forest Development Plan, normally in
the beginning of the year.
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• 100,000 VND for annual review of forest development task, normally at the end of
the year.
• 25,000 VND for every 3 months for pens, papers for CFM Board.

Part IV: Agreements on Managing the Fund
• CFM Board (following People’s Committee) is also the Board of Community Forest
Development Fund. They have a responsibility to manage the CFD fund.
• Use of the fund to follow government's financial regulations (receipts, reports are
required).
• Accountant and head of the Community Forest Development Fund Board to report to
village community and Commune People’s Committee on financial issues.
• Approval of the village community is required before buying equipment, tools and
materials. Any item bought without prior approval is not accepted.

The above regulations were developed by the village community and presented to the village
meeting with agreement of 100% household members.

Na Ri dated ………

Commune People’s Committee CFM Board
(signed and stamp) (signed)

CARD Project Management Board
(signed)
4.1.2 Regulations of Community Forest Development Fund for Khuoi Lieng Village
Part I: General Regulations
- Community Forest Development Fund is developed by the community through
initial seed money of CARD project. The main purpose of this fund is for forest
development activities in community forest areas in the village.
- Most activities related to community forest development can be carried out using
this fund following the community's regulations.
- This fund will be maintained and grown for long-term purpose.
7