1. Negotiation video conference ,
Involvement of Lao CSO in the development process of timber legality definition (TLD) in the FLEGT/VPA Process In Laos
Negotiation video conference ,
11 October 2016
Mrs. Vansy Senyavong, Director of MHP (Women Mobilizing for Development),
Lao CSO FLEGT Committee Member

2. CSO Technical Experts (3)
Network Committee
Five CSO Representatives
Coordination (1)
National
International
Awareness raising
Media production
Network coordination
Village consultations and dissemination
CSO Technical Experts (3)
Involved in VPA Thematic Expert Groups
Information/documents
Project Plan
Monitoring/Evaluation
Research/development
Training/Seminar
Donor coordination
Responsibility:
Mrs. Vansy
Dr. Chanthavy
Secretariat (1)
Coordination
Management/admin.
Financial/accountant
Meeting Organization
In/Out documents
Meeting minute
Mr. Sisavath
Network 19 CSO Members

3. Purpose and goal
Our common goal is to work together to strengthen our Lao CSOs to grow and achieve a high level of support and engagement in the process of FLEGT through group collaboration, leadership growth, and individual understanding. We will use our combined group strengths to support any steps of voluntary process to achieve VPA.

4. CORE VALUES ATMOSPHERE
Team members will facilitate a supportive environment showing respect for each team member. We will not criticize ideas and will communicate effectively to mitigate conflict. We will never be competitive within the team, but will achieve the highest level of performance possible

5. CSO Challenges in the VPA
Role of CSO is not always clear
CSO are unsure of what type of inputs are wanted from other stakeholders
Complexity of VPA is difficult to follow
Time commitments/requirement are high
CSO are new to international forest governance work

6. Addressing Challenges
Ongoing capacity building needed
Examples: Legal assessment; network coordination; research and analysis skills
Ongoing support for management and development of network
The network needs to be more coordinated, effective and efficient
Timber and forest-related projects
Few organizations have relevant experience, and lack resources to dedicate time and personnel to FLEGT
Acceptance by stakeholders
CSOs are most engaged when their experiences are valued and are part of the dialogue
Note: These have all improved through support received, but challenges remain

7. CSO Expectations from VPA
Increased equality amongst stakeholders (poor and rich) involved in forest governance
Better quality of CSO leadership when working was a network and linking with other stakeholders
Increased transparency between private sector, government, CSO and forest dependent communities
Stronger solidarity between CSO, government and private sector/peaceful relations
CSO recognized by government as a valuable stakeholder in forest governance.

8. Benefits of CSO involve in VPA
Created space for Lao CSO in national and international levels in forest governance
Committee has gained skills in leadership
Expanding link/connection to other country CSO and international organisations
Bring the voice of forest dependent communities to the national level and bring examples of good forest governance to communities

9. CSO Priorities Good governance and fair enforcement of forestry law
Enforcement of law should be consistent against all violators
Sharing of benefits
Benefits should reach lowest levels of communities
Tracking of benefits
Inspection and monitoring of forestry-impacting investment
Especially non-timber concessions (i.e. infrastructure and agriculture projects)
Community participation
Villagers should be part of decisions that impact their village
Communities need to receive information and training; need mechanism for raising concerns
Timber information should be made available to communities and all stakeholders

10. CSO Strategic plan Strategic objective 1
Informed Lao CSO member organisations and forest dependant communities participate in discussions to improve forest governance in Laos through the VPA process
Strategic objective 2. Lao CSO network members and forest dependent communities are capable of meaningfully contributing to the VPA/FLEGT process

11. Strategic Objective 3. Forest dependant communities are supported by CSO’s to generate income  from the sustainable management of their forests  Objective added for CSO’s to undertake activities directly with communities
Strategic Objective 4. The accountability of relevant government agencies and wood industries is increased through the participation of CSO’s .  Objective revised to focu on transparency