NORMATIVE FRAMEWORK

TCP PROJECT FORMAT

"Preparation of a National Forestry Programme"

I. PROJECT SUMMARY

This is a concise statement of the objective of the project, FAO inputs and expected results by the end of the project.

Example introductory text: The purpose of this project is to provide technical assistance for preparation of a National Forestry Programme (NFP). The NFP will be prepared giving full attention to the country context regarding the forestry sector master plan, society's demands, and actions related to the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) and its follow-up.

The Government Ministry responsible for Forestry is planning to prepare the NFP in order to respond to the demands from rural and urban populations and wood-based industries while maintaining the delicate balance between utilization and conservation of forests.

Due to the limited institutional planning capacity and/or expertise available in the country, the Government has requested the FAO's TCP assistance for preparation of the NFP.

• Main features of the project with emphasis on expected outcomes.

• Individual sections of project report

II. BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION

See TCP Guidelines: "This section will contain the background to the request and a brief description of the specific problem, highlighting its causes and effects, in the particular sector or subsector in which the project will be placed. It should specifically explain the sector's importance, the critical gap to be filled and the urgency of the problem to be solved in the context of the relevant Government's sector and subsector strategy and policy. It should also explain the consequences caused by non-action on this specific problem, and outline how the assistance requested will be utilized to fill a particularly urgent need which cannot be met from other sources. Mention should be made of other related activities supported by the Government or by other assistance agencies.

The justification should highlight the follow-up action expected after completion of the project and the expected project's catalytic role in connection with the Government's development efforts. It should, in particular, clarify how the Government intends to ensure realization of the planned project results in a sustainable manner, and the extent to which this will depend on national budgetary or policy decisions or funding decisions by other donors.

This section should answer the following questions: "What are the institutions dealing with the problem to be solved, their present staffing, their means of work? What is the main problem they are facing: lack of capacity, lack of means, other? What are their current constraints which prevent them from addressing directly the problem, without FAO support?"

Identify the problem for which assistance is requested and provide evidence that TCP criteria - which govern eligibility for TCP funding - are met. Text should include:

- description of the forest sector and its socio-economic relevance
- description of the problem that originated the request for assistance and arguments that justify FAO intervention
- country strategy and synergy of the proposed project.

• Information concerning the country's forest resources.
  
• General socio-economic information related to forestry.
  
• Information on related forestry projects being implemented with which this project would have interactions.
  
• Possible economic effects of the NFP in the sector and national economy.

• Ministry or national institution(s) responsible for forestry

III. OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSISTANCE

"This section will state briefly but in specific terms, the particular objective(s) which the project is expected to achieve. The project objective is defined as a specific aim to be achieved and formulated as the expected future improved situation after the successful completion of the project. The statement should be drafted wherever possible in terms permitting subsequent verification of project accomplishments." (TCP Guidelines)

State the long-term or development objective of the project, such as to build-up the national capacity to improve the sustainable management of the forest resources and increase their contribution to national socio-economic development.

Describe the immediate objective of the project, such as to prepare a National Forestry Programme through participatory approaches, strengthening the institutional and technical instruments to facilitate its implementation.

• n.a.

• Government institution(s) responsible for forestry

IV. PROJECT OUTPUTS (RESULTS)

"Outputs (results) to be defined in this section, are the specific products of activities undertaken, the combined use of which by project beneficiaries will achieve the objective of the project, provided assumptions about external factors are correct. They should be defined in terms that permit their verification in quantity, quality and time, and should be consistent with the project objective and design, and provide the basis for the elaboration of a clear, detailed work plan." (TCP Guidelines)

Describe main expected outputs such as:
- the national forestry policy, strategy, legislation and institutional instruments reviewed;
- a national forestry programme prepared;
- a training programme to make the implementation of the NFP effective and efficient established and being implemented.

• These outputs should be the result of analysis and discussions carried out by the person who is drafting the project with sectoral authorities.

• Government institution(s) responsible for forestry

V. WORK PLAN

Identify the main policies, strategic issues and lines of action that guide the national forestry sector through a revision of the national forestry situation, the National Development Plan, the Forestry Sector Master Plan or strategy, the main forestry regulations, and other documents and the analysis of institutional set-up.

Discuss and validate the findings and conclusions of the above-mentioned analysis with the national forestry authorities and with representatives of the different governmental and non-governmental groups involved in forestry development.

Prepare and propose the modifications, adjustments, corrections that should be introduced to the policies, strategies and legislation and institutional instruments to facilitate the preparation and subsequent implementation of a national forestry programme.

Identify, analyze and propose alternatives/scenarios related to the development of the forestry sector, based on the main issues that confront the forestry sector and on the information related to the multi-functional capacity of the national forest resources.

Present and discuss the alternatives/scenarios proposed with different governmental and non-governmental groups/stakeholders involved in the sector and who can be affected by these alternatives/scenarios.

Adjust the alternatives/scenarios selected considering the findings and conclusions of the mentioned discussions.

Elaborate the National Forestry Programme for the country and present it to the national authorities for their consideration and approval.

Review and analyze the participatory mechanisms and strategies being utilized by the forestry sector and propose the improvement needed to facilitate implementation of the national forestry programme.

Organize and carry out training seminars on planning and participatory methods and approaches to encourage the involvement of different stakeholders in forestry planning and implementation.

Attach timetable for these activities.

• Estimate and logical sequence of the major project activities and input needs.

• Government institution(s) responsible for forestry

VI. CAPACITY BUILDING

The project agreement is to describe in clear terms how the project will use national experts/consultants to achieve project objectives and how the use of such experts/consultants will contribute to building national capacity in the recipient institution/country. (TCP Guidelines)

Example text: The project will mainly use national consultants with appropriate experience in the technical aspect of the project. They will not be members of the public administration. The involvement of national counterparts whom the government will assign to work with these consultants, as well as with the international consultant in forestry policy and institutions and specialists from FAO who will provide technical services to the project, will contribute to augmenting and strengthening the institutional capacity of the Government Agency in charge of Forestry to deal with aspects such as policy analysis, planning, institutional development and stakeholder participation in decision making on forestry and more specifically in community forestry. The training activities planned will also help to increase the institutional capacity outside the public sectors, in particular within non-governmental institutions or different stakeholders who will be involved in the project implementation.

• If possible, information on the number of people that will be trained during the project.

• Government institution(s) responsible for forestry

VII. INPUTS TO BE PROVIDED BY FAO

See TCP Guidelines, Annex 1, pages iii to vi.

A concise description of each input under the respective numbered items below. Sufficient detail on each budget line should be provided. The sum of related amounts of each sub-category under each item should add up to the total for the line item.

a) Personnel services
Technical services of international and/or national experts/consultants
- International consultants/experts
- FAO Advisory Technical Services (ATS)
- National experts and consultants
- International expertise under Partnership Programmes (i.e. TCDC/TCCT or Retired experts and consultants)
- Administrative support
- Supervisory Technical Services (STS)

Priority and preference should be given to the employment of competent experts under the TCDC/TCCT programmes in countries that have signed these agreements. There are specific limits to the use of international expertise at UN rates. Project drafters are advised to consult with the TCP Unit before preparing the staffing inputs and budgets.

b) Official travel
c) Contracts, Letters of Agreements or Contractual Service Agreements
d) General operating expenses (GOE)
e) Materials, supplies and equipment:
- Materials and supplies
- Equipment
f) Direct operating cost (DOC)
g) Training:
- Study tours
- In-country workshops
- Fellowships and academic training
- Young Professionals for on-the-job training

• Number, type and cost of each input (numbers of staff participating, of items, internal trips, cost per day, DSA rate, monthly consultant rate etc).

• FAO
  
• UNDP
  
• Local suppliers

VIII. REPORTING

See TCP Guidelines.

Each national and international consultant will prepare a technical report at the end of his/her assignment covering findings, conclusions and recommendations according to FAO standards. The National Project Coordinator with the support of the International Expert on Policy and Institutions will review the reports of all consultants. These reports will serve as the basis for preparing the project Terminal Statement.

The FAO staff who will provide Supervisory Technical Services will prepare report missions after each visit to the project.

• n.a.

• n.a.

IX. GOVERNMENT CONTRIBUTION AND SUPPORTING ARRANGEMENTS

This paragraph needs to clearly set out: (i) the resources to be contributed by the Government; (ii) designation of Government responsibility for arranging for duty-free customs clearance, full access to laboratories and their test results, and access to the field - which may be under provincial or district authority. All need to be included in this section as they might apply.

See in particular TCP Guidelines, Annex I, page vii and the following excerpts:

Request must be accorded high priority by the Government, which must also ensure that the required local support facilities and services will be available and that follow-up action will be taken.

Requests must provide assurance of the fullest possible participation of the Government in project execution, through such means as the use of national institutions, personnel and resources. (Annex IVa, page i).

Each project should be supervised by a National Project Coordinator nominated and paid by the Government. National Project Professional Personnel or consultants recruited by FAO are fully accountable to the Organization and cannot be on the Government payroll at the time of their assignment (page 10, par. 46). They may not be recruited from the counterpart institution/cooperating agency (Annex 1, page iv).

• Government contribution in terms of cash, personnel time, facilities, vehicles, laboratories, building and office space (for workshops and other), secretarial and translation/interpretation expertise.

• Government institution(s) responsible for forestry

X. PROJECT BUDGET

The project budget covering the FAO contribution is prepared by FAO, based on elements received from the requesting country.  

Data Needs

• Numerical details on FAO contribution in US$ by budget line.

• FAO
  
• UNDP
  
• Equipment suppliers
  
• Travel agents

XI. ATTACHMENTS TO PROJECT AGREEMENT

1. Description of the training programme.
2. Description of Advisory Technical Services and Supervisory Technical Services.
3. Description of services to be provided under contracts.
4. Itemized list of equipment.
5. Itemized list of materials and supplies.
6. Terms of reference including description of required qualifications for each international and national consultant/expert and where appropriate for the National Project Coordinator.

• Quantitative estimates and descriptions/specifications as relevant to the above attachment.
  
• Terms of Reference (TOR) for each national and international project staff member including FAO technical staff members contributing to the project. TORs for short-term staff inputs (weeks to several months) need to describe precise, time-bound activities and outputs expected. Longer-term staff inputs should be more generally phrased to allow some flexibility and cover unforeseen occurrences.
  
• Detail of training activities (workshops/courses/seminars) quantifying all costs involved.
  
• List of equipment.

• Government institution(s) responsible for forestry