Overview:

The outcomes of this joint program were:

• to gain a better understanding of Forest Ecosystems, their services and their Total Economic Value (TEV) and;
• to develop a participatory management model and fair valuation of Forest Ecosystems Services for the integration of Total Economic Value in tax policy.

In order to achieve these results, an additional outcome of ensuring a coordinated administration mechanism was also included. 

Overall, the joint program was able to increase knowledge of the value of forests by 75% and UNESCO designated Ferlo as a Biosphere in 2012.

Outcome 1:

To gain a better nderstanding of Forest Ecosystems, their services and their Total Economic Value (TEV).

Outcome achievements:

• Under this outcome, an information system on forest ecosystems was to be put in place, the total economic value of the Forest Ecosystem Service (SEF) was to be evaluated, the knowledge of SEF by stakeholders increased, the driving forces behind the changes in the forest ecosystem are identified and climate change scenarios are contextualized.  The development of a national information system on the total economic value of the various forest ecosystem services was to provide a better understanding of the political, economic and social strategies required for their management with regard to environmental changes and their consequences on migration. It also aims to provide policy-makers with information on these services' real value and on intra- and inter-ecosystem exchanges of these services between different stakeholders. The information system on forest ecosystems is still underway and is being continued through UNEP. The evaluation of the economic value of forests was conducted through micro and macro-economic studies.  Regarding a better knowledge of forest ecosystems, there was a 75% increase in the knowledge of stakeholders, through workshops. In particular, the conditions and trends and the value chain of the forestry service of Mahon Bakor have been defined. Further, the estimated value of the forest is 80 times more than currently applied.

Outcome 2:

Develop a participatory management model and fair valuation of Forest Ecosystems Services for the integration of Total Economic Value in tax policy.

Outcome achievements:

• Outputs under this outcome include the development of a fiscal system that integrates the total economic value of forests, a pilot participatory approach to create a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and strengthen the capacity of stakeholders to administer forest services. The key result of this outcome is the designation of the Ferlo Biosphere by UNESCO in 2012. All biophysical, socio-economic and cartographic studies were undertaken to achieve this result. The development of a model and fair valuation of Forest Ecosystems Services for the integration of Total Economic Value in tax policy is still underway.

Outcome 3:

Ensure successful management of the project objectives.

Outcome achievements:

• Overall, the outcomes were achieved with some activities still under completion.

Best practices:

• The project had a participative structure including a technical committee, a steering committee and a scientific panel and 3 working groups.
• Strong ownership of the project in the Department of Water, Forests, Hunting and Conservation of Soil (DEFCCS).
• Good distribution of results by stakeholders.

Lessons learned:

• Enough time should be given for project formulation to ensure the participation of pertinent stakeholders.
• To work together effectively, harmonization of the UN agencies requires changes at the global level.
• It is important to have strong national leadership to implement innovative ideas.

More details can be found in the final project report: http://mptf.undp.org/document/download/11113