FORZA, the SWISS-UKRAINIAN FOREST DEVELOPMENT PROJECT IN TRANSCARPATHIA, UKRAINE, has prepared the End of Phase Report, Including Annual Report 2010

In December 2010 the FORZA project completed, concluding the 7 years of implementation in Carpathian region of Ukraine and particularly in Transcarpathia. The project embedded a balanced approach in terms of ecological, economic and social factors that were carefully incorporated to the activities throughout the project life.

The most vivid project outcomes that demonstrate sustainability are:

-       Close-to-nature silviculture approaches are anchored in the legal and institutional framework.

-       Close-to-nature silviculture is recognized as having ecological and economic benefits.

-       New forest management tools are introduced at central and local level leading to more efficiency and accuracy in forest management.

-       A significant sign of sustainability is the anchoring of sustainable and multi-functional forest management in educational processes through permanent changes to the forestry curricula.

-       Carpathian Regional Training Center (CRTC) has been established for the improvement of qualification of forestry practitioners. CRTC is certified by the Ministry of Education and institutionalized within SFCU life-long learning system.

-       The constant efforts on informing the general public and the particular target groups about forest management and specific project activities through a pro-active information campaign lead to improved public relations and transparency about forest management issues within TFHA and subordinated institutions.

-       The new methodology of participatory forest management planning and involvement of local communities was launched and tested. Participatory two-level planning is introduced at local level. 

-       The first Cluster Analysis of forest sector of Carpathian Region of Ukraine, which covers 4 oblasts, has been elaborated. The cluster approach is applied by decision makers and serves as a basis for increased collaboration between different regional stakeholders.

-       Introduction of the toolkit for involving the private sector in forestry activities to the Ukrainian forestry enterprises countrywide, knowledge sharing activities amongst lishosp economists in the Carpathians, improved coordination of lishosp staff among themselves and with private sector actors and generated improved efficiency and a more open mindset.

-       The system of plastic and glass waste collection at the level of municipality had been developed and piloted in 3 model communities.

-       New capacities to engage in participative community planning and implementing projects at community level lead to improved living conditions in several villages.

-       Remote rural communities attract an increased number of tourists

More detailed information about project outcomes in figures and facts one can find in the report itself at this link: ?fpid=5&lch=eng