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5.7 International Research and Training Organizations
A single important regional training organization actively involved in CBFM in the Lao PDR is the Regional Community Forestry Training Center for Asia and the Pacific RECOFTC. Since its
constitution, many Lao forestry staff have been trained at RECOFTC on community forestry. A number of staff have also received support to participate in workshops and conferences organized
by RECOFTC to share relevant knowledge and experiences on community forestry. Linkages between MAF and RECOFTC have strengthened, especially through an MoU signed between
RECOFTC and NAFRI in June 2006 which will build stronger ties between the two institutions.
5.8 Linkage between the institutions in relation to CBFM
In general, linkages between CBFM related institutions have not been systematically developed and coordinated; but they have been conducted on a sporadic basis at a limited scale. There is no
formal network for CBFM. However, individuals and organizations exchange information through informal meetings and workshops. International NGOs also use forums to exchange information
on CBFM.
6. Main Achievements, Lessons Learned and Challenges
6.1 Main achievements
With a clear policy direction and commitment of GoL and strong support from a wide range of international partners, significant achievements have been made in the development and
application of CBFM approaches in Lao PDR during the last decade.
Main achievements include: x A variety of CBFM models developed and tested for different forest categories at different
scales under varying socio-economic conditions and provide a menu of practical options for sustainable forest management;
x Among the options, some models, especially those developed for state production forests, have increasingly gained recognition as being suitable forest management models and
have been used for further development and replication. x The practice of CBFM has built a good foundation for rural development as well as for the
livelihood improvement of local communities, thereby making a contribution on poverty eradication.
x It has also built local capacity and empowerment in line with the decentralization policy of GoL
x CBFM projects have raised awareness of the importance of forest functions and its values. x Through participation in CBFM, local villagers have been empowered, particularly
through development of local institutions such as VFA and the development of these local institutions to share the benefit of forest resource management.
x The CBFM experiences have had a positive impact on social equity. CBFM projects tried to share benefits of natural forest resources among stakeholders in the society
x CBFM contributed to changes of forest management practices and approaches towards sustainable forest management.
44 x Models have reflected government policy on shifting cultivation stabilization, land use
planning and land allocation, rural development, and poverty eradication. x The experiences of CBFM have built a foundation for MAF, further improvement of
forest management, reformation of forest policies, and a significant shift from state led to participatory forestry.
x These experiences helped to develop legal frameworks Forest Law as well as bylaws, regulations and instructions on forest management in support of sustainable forest
management
6.2 Lessons learned
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