Conservation of the Sierra Leonean Western Area Peninsula Forest Reserve (WAPFoR) & its Watershed Project: Total Funding: EUR 3.1 million EU/EC: €2.4m Welthungerhilfe: €0.7m Conservation of the Sierra Leonean Western Area Peninsula Forest Reserve (WAPFR) & its Watershed

Background EC Call for proposals, Environmental Conservation, discussions with Forestry Division (FD) One Priority expressed by FD: WAPFR sustainable water supply to Freetown and link with forest conservation. 1+million people Research, concept and proposal during 2008 – WHH, EFA/ENFORAC, FD, MLCPE... Conservation of the Sierra Leonean Western Area Peninsula Forest Reserve (WAPFR) & its Watershed

The Project - Objectives Overall Objective: Participatory processes in decision making on the sustainable use of natural resources are introduced and contribute to reduce rural poverty in the Western Area Peninsula (WAP) Specific Objective: The Sierra Leonean Western Area Peninsula Forest Reserve (WAPFR) and its watershed are conserved and sustainably managed for the benefit of the adjacent population, particularly the poor Conservation of the Sierra Leonean Western Area Peninsula Forest Reserve (WAPFR) & its Watershed

Indicators (OO) - 90% of targeted villages are engaged in sustainable natural resource management in collaboration with government authorities - 50% of targeted households practicing ecologically sustainable activities have increased their income (SO) - deforestation in WAPFR reduced by 10% compared to baseline trends without project intervention - no decline in quality and quantity (correlated to rainfall) of water stemming from WAPFR Conservation of the Sierra Leonean Western Area Peninsula Forest Reserve (WAPFR) & its Watershed

Expected Results R1: The Western Area Peninsula Forest Reserve (WAPFR) is newly demarcated and zonal management plans are established. R2: Local communities around the reserve participate actively and benefit from services rendered through the reserve and additional programs. R3: Innovative pro-poor financing mechanisms for forest conservation are piloted: such as carbon finance program (REDD, avoided deforestation) and private business enhancement for ecotourism Conservation of the Sierra Leonean Western Area Peninsula Forest Reserve (WAPFR) & its Watershed

Target Group(s) 50,000 people living in 30 villages adjacent to the Forest Reserve The greater population of Freetown, estimates vary between 974,000 and 1,500,000 Women, Youth, civil society, associations Wider Stakeholders – Private investors, eco-tourists / Co.’s Conservation of the Sierra Leonean Western Area Peninsula Forest Reserve (WAPFR) & its Watershed

Measuring Result 1: The Western Area Peninsula Forest Reserve (WAPFR) is newly demarcated and zonal management plans are established. – Clearly demarcated and visible, – Participatory land use management plan agreed with core and buffer zones Coordination, involvement of stakeholders, buy-in Incentives for communities in livelihoods; forest resources managed for benefit of local community Strengthened law enforcement and ensure proper functioning of these laws Conservation of the Sierra Leonean Western Area Peninsula Forest Reserve (WAPFR) & its Watershed

Measuring Result 2: Local communities around the reserve participate actively and benefit from services rendered through the reserve and additional programs. – 1 – 2 – 3 Conservation of the Sierra Leonean Western Area Peninsula Forest Reserve (WAPFR) & its Watershed

Measuring Result 3: Innovative pro-poor financing mechanisms for forest conservation are piloted: such as carbon finance program (REDD, avoided deforestation) and private business enhancement for ecotourism – 1 – 2 – 3 Conservation of the Sierra Leonean Western Area Peninsula Forest Reserve (WAPFR) & its Watershed

Key Partnerships and Implementation Forestry Division (FD), Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry & Food Security (MAFFS) Environment Division, Ministry of Land, Country Planning & Environment (MLCPE) Western Area Rural District Council (WARDC) & Wards Environmental Forum for Action (ENFORAC) Deutsche Welthungerhilfe e.V. (WHH) formerly German Agro Action Conservation of the Sierra Leonean Western Area Peninsula Forest Reserve (WAPFR) & its Watershed

Steering Committee A project steering committee is envisaged – Met once in early June – Can become a ‘formalised’ mechanism – Another meeting due (date to be circulated as will be agreed by the Director of FD and PM of WHH) – Membership open to major stakeholders including FD, GVWC, ONS, etc. etc. Conservation of the Sierra Leonean Western Area Peninsula Forest Reserve (WAPFR) & its Watershed

Wider Stakeholders... Guma Valley Water Co. Freetown City Council Other Divisions in MAFFS and MLCPE SLRA, Roads Police Private Industry and trade Min. Trade Min. Transport & Aviation Min. Tourism Min. Mineral Resources Micro-finance institutions, banks Research and educational institutions, Fourah Bay College, Njala University,.. Other NGOs more... Conservation of the Sierra Leonean Western Area Peninsula Forest Reserve (WAPFR) & its Watershed

Current / Update? Impact of road around WAP Rising Prices of food and commodity items Launching successfully done at Guma Resavoir on 19 th March, 2010 with a fly over the Peninsula by H.E. Dr Enerst Bai Koroma (President of the Rep. of Sierra Leone) and signing of the Commitment Book Baseline to be conducted soon/on going in respective peninsula communities Conservation of the Sierra Leonean Western Area Peninsula Forest Reserve (WAPFR) & its Watershed

A Very Challenging Project: first steps... Partner, Stakeholder and community consultations and participation Explore themes and perspectives, synergies, conflicts, solution-seeking, experimentation, focussed group discussions, etc Priorities - Baseline Plan coordination and action Selection of target/beneficiary communities Conservation of the Sierra Leonean Western Area Peninsula Forest Reserve (WAPFR) & its Watershed

Explore Themes and Perspectives Effects of deforestation Impacts of sand and stone mining in the reserve and catchment areas Impact of deforestation due to peoples’ endless search of livelihoood (legal and illegal logging, charcoal burning, fuel wood (mangrove) for processing fish, etc I thank you for your attention. Conservation of the Sierra Leonean Western Area Peninsula Forest Reserve (WAPFR) & its Watershed

Explore Themes and Perspectives Conservation of the Sierra Leonean Western Area Peninsula Forest Reserve (WAPFR) & its Watershed