How local citizens monitor forestry programmes

Photo credit: Thanhniennews

November 7 2014, a consultation workshop on “Monitoring tools for forestry sector at local level” was co-organised in Da Lat (Lam Dong) by Towards Transparency (TT) and the International Center for Tropical Highland Ecosystems Research (ICTHER).

At the workshop, two significant tools planned to be applied in the project in Lam Dong were introduced to the local authority: Public Expenditure Tracking Survey (PETS) and Community Scored Card (CSC).

Public Expenditure Tracking Survey (PETS) and Community Score Card (CSC) are recognized as effective tools for monitoring of the implementation and financial flow of REDD+/PFES and other forestry programmes.

Using PETS and CSC, the local citizens will be able to:

  • track the flowing of both human and financial resource from REDD and PFES+ funds to the receivers
  • build their own capacity in monitoring forestry programmes
  • protect their rights and strengthen their voice in forestry governance
  • give their feedback and complaints on any identified corruption risk/cases

“PETS and CSC are suitable tools for local citizens, giving them the opportunity to fulfill their responsibility in forest protection. It is necessary to disclose information to encourage the local people to actively involve in identifying and solving corruption – related issues in forestry programmes.”

– Ms. Le Thi Nhan, Head of Fatherland Front in Lam Ha District –

lam-dong-meeting-tt

30 representatives from provincial and district authorities joining the workshop discussing how to ensure the local citizen’s participation and capacity in monitoring forestry programmes

A lot of constructive feedback which help identify the strengths and potential risks in applying these tools were brought about. While it is agreed that these tools fit with the need of both the authority and the citizens, some prominent concerns are raised for serious consideration, such as:

  • How to ensure that the payments are made to right people, right land allocation area and at right time through the establishment of new monitoring board
  • How to define and deliver adequate information disclosure to local citizens

The representatives also shared the lesson learned from their experience in managing and monitoring previous forestry programmes, among which they emphasised on managing the implementation quality and the finance integrity in parallel.