STRATEGIC DOCUMENT THE MODEL FOREST CONCEPT AND ITS APPLICATION IN THE MEDITERRANEAN: TOWARDS A MEDITERRANEAN MODEL FOREST NETWORK

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1 STRATEGIC DOCUMENT THE MODEL FOREST CONCEPT AND ITS APPLICATION IN THE MEDITERRANEAN: TOWARDS A MEDITERRANEAN MODEL FOREST NETWORK Contents 1. Background 2. Principles of Model Forests 3. Main areas and common problems 4. Purposes of the Mediterranean Model Forest Network 5. Objectives of the regional network 6. Nature of collaboration activities 7. Membership 8. Structure 9. Proposed functions of the Secretariat 10. Commitments 11. Route map 1. Background The model forest (MF) concept is based on an innovative approach that combines the social, cultural and economic needs of local communities with the long-term sustainability of forest landscapes. A Model Forest is a partnership of public and private organizations that have a common interest in achieving sustainable forest management (SFM) within a locally defined forest area. Model forests range in size from 14,000 hectares to more than 20 million hectares. The International Model Forest Network (IMFN) is a voluntary association of partners (countries and organizations) from around the world working toward a common goal, which is the sustainable management and use of forests and forested landscapes. Each MF in the network is unique by virtue of its ecosystems, history of resource use, and the cultural and political realities that are in place. However, all model forests are based on a common set of principles. It is on this basis that sites in the IMFN share knowledge, collaborate, and learn together in support of sustainability. The network currently has 49 sites in 22 countries. The model forest concept falls also well within the working programme of the Forestry Department of FAO. In this respect and along with the IMFN and other partners, FAO continues to support members in the identification of potential future model forests and in further developing the concept including the establishment of regional model forest networks. The Regional Government of Castilla y León has been working for years towards sustainable forest management, through the development of different initiatives such as certification, sustainable entrepreneurship support, research funding and others. The sharing and contrasting of experiences with peers has proved to be of great value. The Castilla y León s Regional Forest Plan includes a participation in the IMFN as a means a) to improve the sustainability of its forest management standards, and b) for doing this, expose its plan and activity to the assessment of peers and learn from them. With the recent foundation of the Urbión Model Forest in Castilla y León, also the IMFN disembarks in the Mediterranean area, which has very specific characteristics and dynamics. Among them, the relevance of regional and local governments in forest management, the reality of impacts caused by climate change and the importance to the region of such critical issues as non-timber forest products and services, bioenergy, natural hazards (forest fire and others) and forests dynamics in relation to human activities

2 (abandonment, urban growth into forests and others), with very distinctive features across the whole area shared between the northern and southern rims. It is also necessary, and participants have expressed their will to do so, to take into account the different integration and cooperation initiatives that are present in the Mediterranean region: - the political, mainstream processes conducted by FAO: COFO and Silva Mediterranea - other processes such as the Barcelona Process or the Mediterranean Union - other networks and networking activities, mainly the existing World Heritage sites On 20 March 2007, a workshop was held by the Urbión Model Forest with the participation of a group of regional governments, forest owners associations and others from the Mediterranean area, with the support of managers from IMFN regional networks. This workshop, and further ones held in July 2007 in Rome (Italy) and December in Marseille (France), was aimed at presenting the MF concept and characteristics of the IMFN, and receiving feedback and strategic orientation concerning the feasibility of Mediterranean model forests and a Mediterranean Model Forest Network (MMFN). This concept paper synthesises the results of both workshops. 2. Principles of Model Forests The International Model Forest Network uses the following set of principles: - Partnership. Each model forest is a neutral forum that welcomes voluntary participation by representatives of stakeholder interests and values on the landscape. - Sustainability. Stakeholders are committed to the conservation and sustainable management of natural resources and the forested landscape. - Landscape. A large-scale biophysical area representing the full range of forest values, including social, cultural, economic and environmental concerns. - Governance. The model forest management process is representative, participative, transparent and accountable, and promotes collaborative work among stakeholders. - Programme of activities. The activities undertaken by a model forest are reflective of the model forest s vision and stakeholder needs, values and management challenges. - Knowledge-sharing, Capacity Building and Networking. Model forests build stakeholder capacity to engage in the sustainable management of natural resources, and collaborate and share results and lessons learned through networking From the IMFN experience in the last 15 years, this regional network is expected to be useful to its members as an operative instrument for SFM, focused on concrete actions and based on principles of effectiveness, low cost, decentralisation, cooperation and solidarity, and equity between participants. Keeping it this way, it will allow every agent to be a promoter of the model forest concept and the MMFN. 3. Main areas and common problems The participants in the Rome workshop identified the following as the main common areas where value added could be found in cooperating in the framework of the model forest concept, as well as the main issues to be examined within them: STRATEGIC DOCUMENT: TOWARDS A MEDITERRANEAN MODEL FOREST NETWORK 2 / 7

3 KEY ISSUES OPPORTUNITIES FOR COOPERATION INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT AT APPROPRIATE LEVELS Lack of landscape-level, integrated and multifunctional approach Multifunctionality Landscape approach, appropriate management size, multilevel approach Integrated «territorial» management Integration of forest planning with other planning instruments THE PRIVATE FOREST SECTOR Private forest management Lack of local development based on forest resources Forest land owners association Private land management models Wood industry in the Mediterranean Wood biomass for energy Non-wood products processing Forest products marketing Eco-building RISKS MANAGEMENT Adaptative management Adaptation to variability and change Reconsideration of models, Ecosystem approach, system (climate change, land use change, approach especially land abandonment,..) Training and research on key-issues (SFM indicators, pests and diseases) Forest fires Conflicting relationship with other sectors Insufficient consideration to, and threats on, bio-diversity Active prevention (livestock grazing, multifunctional land use management and planning at different levels) Sustainable agriculture and husbandry Overgrazing and degradation, erosion Mass-tourism impact management Raising awareness Mediterranean species conservation 4. Purposes of the Mediterranean Model Forest Network Forest areas in the Mediterranean environment face immense challenges, including climate change, increasing fire hazards, erosion, land abandonment and degradation and loss of biodiversity. Initiated in Canada and internationalised at the Rio Summit (UNCED 1992), the model forest concept, based on the ideas of broad-based partnerships, innovation and participatory governance within complex landscapes working toward sustainability, is of high relevance to help solve these and other issues common to the whole Mediterranean region. Members of the Network share a will to increase quality of life in rural areas on both the Southern, Northern and Eastern rims of the Mediterranean Sea. The Parties of the MoU have convened to collaborate with the objective of establishing a network of territories that share as a common aim to develop the Model Forest concept in the Mediterranean environment, under the name of Mediterranean Model Forest Network and as part of the International Model Forest Network. At the highest operational level the Mediterranean network has two functions: at site level to promote locally-based forest landscape governance through the creation of model forests; and regionally to STRATEGIC DOCUMENT: TOWARDS A MEDITERRANEAN MODEL FOREST NETWORK 3 / 7

4 develop and support networking opportunities among model forests across the Mediterranean in order to accelerate learning and innovation in support of the agreed-upon goals. 5. Objectives of the regional network 1. To promote the model forest approach in the Mediterranean region 2. To create and use stable cooperation frameworks in common-interest areas 3. To create innovation through research and incorporate it to forest management 4. To promote best practices in sustainable forest management 5. To communicate the benefits of SFM to society 6. Nature of collaboration activities The Network will undertake common activities for the attainment of the above-mentioned objectives, such as: - providing training, advice and any other requested assistance to candidate Model Forests in the Mediterranean, in collaboration with local agents interested in the establishment of MFs; - disseminating information (website, newsletter, etc.) about the MFs, the MMFN and the IMFN both within the network and to the broader Mediterranean audience; - organizing regular opportunities (seminars, field visits) for the network members to exchange information, experience and know-how on key-issues for the regions involved and existing or future MFs in the Mediterranean; - providing ongoing support to the preparation, implementation, dissemination and consolidation of collaborative projects involving members of the network on key-issues for SFM in the Mediterranean, including maintenance of ongoing links among projects via the network's activities; - reporting ongoing model forest progress in the Mediterranean region, so as to fully capitalise on member s experiences for the benefit of every member, the whole network and the Mediterranean forest-based sector; - supporting innovation and experimentation in order to find solutions adapted to the specified contexts found in the Mediterranean region. 7. Membership Members of the Mediterranean Model Forest Network are: - The regions in the European Union and candidate countries and, in other countries, national government bodies having competencies over forest-based development, who are parties to the MoU - Model forests in the Mediterranean region In addition, the activities of the network can benefit from the support and participation of external expert bodies (multilateral agencies, national competent bodies and other organizations), acting as supporting participants, with a voice, but no vote, in the Network. These other entities can become supporting members of the initiative by signing a supporting act attached to the MoU. Founding members are the members of the Network who sign the MoU before the 16 th of June 2008, the date of the IMFN Global Forum of IMFN in Canada. STRATEGIC DOCUMENT: TOWARDS A MEDITERRANEAN MODEL FOREST NETWORK 4 / 7

5 Regions or national entities interested in joining the network can be invited as observers until they become full members upon becoming a party to the MoU. 8. Structure The main governing body of the Mediterranean Model Forest Network is the Assembly, comprising all Members. Members nominate their representatives to take part in the Assembly, who are duly authorized to take decisions. A Coordination Committee is established by the Assembly, as the main executive body between Assembly meetings, to manage the first steps in the development of the MMFN. The MMFN Secretariat, initially supported by the Junta de Castilla y León and rotating on a voluntary basis, provides support to common activities under the guidance of the Coordination Committee. The Assembly will develop and adopt rules and operating procedures for the MMFN Secretariat. The MMFN Secretariat, until otherwise agreed upon by the Assembly, shall be headquartered at CESEFOR, Polígono Industrial Las Casas, CL C, P. 4, Soria (Spain). The IMFN Secretariat will participate in the governing structure of the MMFN as an observer providing technical advice as requested. STRATEGIC DOCUMENT: TOWARDS A MEDITERRANEAN MODEL FOREST NETWORK 5 / 7

6 In order to honour the principles established above, the group will not establish new structures unless it needs them to better achieve its objectives. Learning from previous experience in the IMFN, the structure outlined in this document should be of use while membership does not exceed participants (aprox. 10 model forests), at least for three to five years. 9. Proposed functions of the Secretariat The Secretariat will be a self-financed, independent facility. It will only look for incremental ways of financing for concrete, agreed-upon actions that will take the form of projects. The Secretariat will not be the only initiator of such initiatives, but will give support to all of them. Its functions will be the following: - To support and give technical assistance to model forest - To support cooperation between model forests and governments - To support knowledge circulation and exchange between Network members - To support members in the identification of other members skills of use, mutual conflict assistance and other peer-to-peer activities - To participate in the IMFN Networking and other committees - To liaise with the IMFN Secretariat to develop opportunities for learning, exchange and collaboration with the global MF community - To raise funds and develop projects for detected, specific needs 10. Commitments Each member of the network will commit to the active participation in the Network s activities, as well as its active exploration of the concept in its competence area. Each member of the network will contribute to the development of the network by providing the necessary support to activities such as: - travel to attend the network s meetings, study-tours, and other events, - organisation of meetings, seminars, field-trips, study-visits, conferences, etc., - publications, including translations, - communication (website, brochures, newsletter, etc.). The network s members will contribute financially to activities under the form of expenses made by themselves, within their own areas of competencies and within their own budget. Activities and costs will be distributed among the members of the network according to the annual action plan adopted by the Assembly, on the basis of the proposals and financial commitment of each member. Indicatively, the annual financial contribution of each member will be equivalent to a minimum of Euros per year for members from the EU and candidate countries. Members from other countries will inform the Secretariat about their annual financial commitment. Core funding for the support of the initiative, and especially for the Secretariat of the network, is provided by the Junta de Castilla y León (Spain), in the framework of a broader participation in the International Model Forest Network. STRATEGIC DOCUMENT: TOWARDS A MEDITERRANEAN MODEL FOREST NETWORK 6 / 7

7 11. Route map The network is launched by Castilla y León, as an autonomous initiative from the region to other EU Mediterranean regions, and open to other bodies in the Mediterranean area. It will take first the form of an informal "association" of Mediterranean national and regional bodies, coordinated by Castilla y León, willing to develop model forests. Creation phase. The following activities are scheduled in the short term: - a formal presentation of the initiative to be held on June 16 th 2008, in place t.b.d. Consolidation phase. Strategic activities ( ): - Definition of a logical framework for the development of the network, including monitoring and evaluation, with a common set of indicators Adoption of a annual and multi-year action plans, elaboration of proposals for activities and resource mobilization, to consolidate the core support provided by the network s members and other supporting participants, - Creation of the first model forests, and support to their development and networking. At least 5 operating model forests will be established by Further steps The network will decide upon the best legal frame to adopt, which would, for example, be the recently created "Territorial Cooperation European grouping" legal statute. All available materials are being uploaded to the following address: Different proposals for and acronym and Internet domain are being evaluated, among others and STRATEGIC DOCUMENT: TOWARDS A MEDITERRANEAN MODEL FOREST NETWORK 7 / 7