1. Research on tropical forests & forestry:
The Role of the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR)

2. Forest research in the tropics: The initial diagnosis
A weak southern voice
Limited focus on policy and institutional issues
Lack of multidisciplinary and cross-sectoral approaches
Little comparative work
Data collection with little write-up, much less synthesis
Weak links to policy-making

3. CIFOR was created to address some of these issues
It does policy-relevant research, which emphases synthesis & cross-country work.
It strengthens developing country research capacity through partnerships, in-service training, reference materials, methods workshops & south-south exchanges.
It promotes multi-disciplinary & cross sectoral approaches.
It invests in communications.
It tries to promote pro-poor perspectives.

4. What is CIFOR?
One of 15 research centers supported by the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR).
A hybrid between an inter-governmental organization & an NGO.
Does research together with partners in about 30 tropical countries.
CIFOR is based in Bogor, Indonesia and has staff in a dozen countries.
[CIFOR is not a donor organization.]

5. What topics does CIFOR work on?
Forests & livelihoods
[forests & poverty, integrating conservation & development]
Environmental services & sustainable use of forests
[sustainable production of timber & ntfps, biodiversity, water, and carbon]
Forests & governance
[local institutions, social learning, trade & finance, forest law enforcement, and conflict]

6. CIFOR’s Resources
About 60 CIFOR researchers & partner researchers.
Annual budget, about US $15 million
About 30% of the budget goes to partners
About 70 donors, but 2/3 of funds come from ten largest (mostly governments)

7. Communicating Research Results
Media stories
Workshop & conference presentations
Books & monographs
Journal articles
Web site
One-on-one contact with partners
Forest Policy Experts listserve (POLEX)

8. Partnership with other international organizations
Member of the Collaborative Partnership on Forests (along with IUFRO & ICRAF)
Works closely with ICRAF (joint staff, projects, infrastructure)
Joint projects with EFI, CATIE
Works with regional research associations (e.g. FORNESSA, CORAF, APAFRI)