Country Summary for Ukraine (part 1)

status for 01.06.2010

Roman Volosyanchuk,IUCN CPC

Opportunity:Reform of forestry sector is ongoing since 2006

Challenges:

• Reform is done by the Govt. ( mainly by the State Committee of Forestry = Ministry) – no public sector involvement (“we’ll tell them how to do”) =>

• Big wood processing industry has some opporunities to lobby its interests in parliament =>

• Need to ensure rights of local people and small business as well as environmental issues are taken into account.

1. Identification, assessment and classification of law enforcement problems in forestry sector at national

and oblast/local level

1.6. Analytical study entitled: "The economic and social impact of inefficient and unsustainable forest practices and

illegal logging":

- NGO “Green Cross Society” was selected to undertake this study, period from Feb. 15th 2010 to December 31st 2010.

1. Identification, assessment and classification of law enforcement problems in forestry sector at national and oblast/local level

1.6. Analytical study entitled: "The economic and social impact of inefficient and

unsustainable forest practices and illegal logging":

- The methodology of a sociological survey of local populations and forestry professionals concerning inefficient and unsustainable forest practices and illegal logging have been developed.

- The initial pilot survey was done in Starosambirskyi district, Lviv region to test the questionnaire form content.

- The availability and reliability of the data on current forest practices and illegal logging was evaluated (official information of governmental organizations, nongovernmental organizations, statistics, other sources).

1. Identification, assessment and classification of law enforcement problems in forestry sector at national and oblast/local level

1.6. Analytical study entitled: "The economic and social impact of inefficient and

unsustainable forest practices and illegal logging":

- Evaluation of the availability and reliability of data on current economic and social state of the forest dependent population in the main forest regions of Ukraine (Carpathians and Polissya) has been done.

- The methodology of conducting socio-economic research of forest dependent communities was developed (set of indicators to evaluate the state of communities and methods to evaluate the influence of unsustainable forest practices on communities).

1. Identification, assessment and classification of law enforcement problems in forestry sector at national and oblast/local level

1.6. Analytical study entitled: "The economic and social impact of inefficient and

unsustainable forest practices and illegal logging":

- A workshop to discuss and agree methodologies of conducting research was held 23 April 2010 in Lviv with over 40 participants representing about 30 governmental bodies and NGOs. 

- Then new improved questionnaire forms have been developed: questionnaire for local communities, questionnaire for SMEs, and questionnaire for forestry professionals.

1. Identification, assessment and classification of law enforcement problems in forestry sector at national and oblast/local level

1.6. Analytical study entitled: "The economic and social impact of inefficient and

unsustainable forest practices and illegal logging":

- A workshop to discuss and agree methodologies of conducting research was held 23 April 2010 in Lviv with over 40 participants representing about 30 governmental bodies and NGOs. 

- Through a very active exchange of opinions it was concluded that the current situation in the sector lacked adequate information provision system for the public and especially local communities on the forestry management practices, forestry activities as well as on the relevant regulatory documents.

- The need to broaden involvement of the law enforcement bodies and local authorities into the FLEG Program activities was specifically stressed. 

1. Identification, assessment and classification of law enforcement problems in forestry sector at national and oblast/local level

1.6. Analytical study entitled: "The economic and social impact of inefficient and

unsustainable forest practices and illegal logging":

- Then new improved questionnaire forms have been developed: questionnaire for local communities, questionnaire for SMEs, and questionnaire for forestry professionals.

- Field surveying is ongoing in 4 pilot territories. Preliminary results will be presented at the second workshop to be held 25 June 2010.

- Local workshops / round tables are planned in each pilot territory in Sept.-Oct. to discuss results and proposed suggestions. Good links to the law enforcement bodies and local authorities have been established there.

2. Assessment and improvement of efficiency of law enforcement and governance in forest

sector 2.1.4. Analysis for guaranteeing rights of local residents and small business for the legal use of forest resources and to ensure transparency and

public participation in these processes

Expert Working Group of three national experts was established to undertake this study for a period

from Feb. 1st 2010 till 30th of June 2010.

2. Assessment and improvement of efficiency of law enforcement and governance in forest sector

2.1.4. Analysis for guaranteeing rights of local residents and small business for the legal use of forest resources and to ensure transparency and public

participation in these processes

- Ukrainian laws and other national Rules, Provisions, Instructions and Norms in force which regulate the rights of local residents and small business for the legal access to and use of various forest resources and provide the transparency and public participation in these processes were analyzed.

- International conventions signed by Ukraine, internationally recognized rules, norms and schemes which establish the requirements on the rights of local residents, regulate the legal access to the using of forest resources and provide the transparency and public participation were analyzed.

- Preliminary findings of the Expert Working Group were presented and discussed at the workshop held 23 April 2010 in Lviv.

4. Securing guarantees of rights for local population and small business for legal access

to forest resources4.1. Assessment of existing problems in the area of

legal access to timber and other forest resources by local populations and small businesses.

Development of recommendations for simplification and streamlining of these

procedures.

- NGO “Green Cross Society” was selected to undertake this study, period from Feb. 15th 2010 to 30th of June 2010.

4. Securing guarantees of rights for local population and small business for legal access to forest resources

4.1. Assessment of existing problems in the area of legal access to timber and other forest resources by local populations and small businesses.

Development of recommendations for simplification and streamlining of these procedures.

- The methodology of a sociological survey of local populations and small business on their transparent and problemless legal access to timber and other forest resources have been developed.

- The initial pilot survey was done in Starosambirskyi district, Lviv region to test the questionnaire form content.

- The official system and current practices of issuing permits on forest resources use for local residents and small business was studied in the selected areas of the Carpathians and Polissya.

4. Securing guarantees of rights for local population and small business for legal access to forest resources

4.1. Assessment of existing problems in the area of legal access to timber and other forest resources by local populations and small businesses.

Development of recommendations for simplification and streamlining of these procedures.

- Preliminary findings were presented and discussed at the workshop held 23 April 2010 in Lviv.

- Results and recommendations will be presented and discussed at the workshop 25 June 2010.

4.2. Development, approval, and practical introduction of mechanisms for guaranteeing rights to individuals and small businesses for the legal use of forest resources through the implementation of joint pilot projects that will bring together regional authorities, administrative bodies of municipal governments, business and local population. This component will also emphasize legal

education in the context of forest resource use.

- Starts in July 2010 on the basis of results of Activities 1.6, 2.1.4 and 4.1. –> Case studies, best practice examples.

2.2. Preparation of summary recommendations for introducing amendments on sustainable forest

management to regulatory frameworks. Conducting stakeholder meetings, workshops, round-tables.

- Implemented jointly with the WB. - Period from Jan. 2010 to June 2011.- Recommendations will be presented to Govt. bodies and

broad stakeholders. => Further lobbying??

Thank you!