Browsing by Author "Vatn, A."

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Governance structures for REDD+ Experiences from Tanzania
(Climate Change Iimpacts and Adaptation and Mitigation Project (CCIAM) - Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA), 2016) Vatn, A.; Kajembe, G.; Silayo, D.; Vedeld, P.
This chapter discusses national governance structures for REDD+ in Tanzania. It also documents experiences from REDD+ pilot projects and discusses what findings from these imply for the national REDD+ strategy. The present strategy is advocating a national/fund whereas NGOs favour a market solution. Our research shows that establishing REDD+ will demand substantial developments in local land/forest governance structures including clarifying property rights and developing management plans. Capacities and competences at district, but also at national levels are weak. There are also important challenges related to ensuring participation and handling of conflicts that REDD+ implies. In this regard, a ‘fund’-based model seems favourable to ensure democratic accountability as well as national capacity building and avoidance of leakage. However, Tanzania’s public administration faces serious problems regarding transparency and managing of decentralisation. Thus, involving NGOs in the REDD+ Fund will help enhance openness. Moreover, learning from their experiences with engaging local communities in REDD+ is also helpful in making decentralisation effective.
Lessons Learned from REDD+ Pilot Projects in Kondoa and Rungwe Districts, Tanzania
(Climate Change Iimpacts and Adaptation and Mitigation Project (CCIAM) - Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA), 2016) George C. Kajembe, G. C.; Silayo, D. A.; Mutabazi, K. J.; Massawe, F.; Nantongo, M.; Vatn, A.
Reduced deforestation and forest degradation ‘plus’ the role of conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhanced carbon stock (REDD+) has been singled out as one of the core strategies against climate change. At the same time, forests offer important livelihoods. To acquire experience on how to establish REDD+ ‘on the ground’, REDD+ pilot projects were established in Tanzania. The pilots were expected to provide valuable insights on many issues that will likely be encountered by both the government and local communities as REDD+ develops to assist in future REDD+ initiative. This study was conducted to draw lessons from two REDD+ pilot projects in Kondoa and Rungwe districts in Dodoma and Mbeya regions, respectively. Structured questionnaires for households with both closed and open ended questions were used to collect socio-economic, institutional and livelihoods-related information. Participatory rural appraisal (PRA) techniques, participant observation and focus group discussions (FGDs) were also employed. Results show that land and forests are the main livelihood assets in the two pilot project areas. Although REDD+ was generally accepted by most communities in the pilots, there were some levels of scepticism based on their past land use history. For example, the introduction of REDD+ in Kondoa faced rejection from some villages due to fears over land grabbing and exclusion from forest access. On the contrary, villages which depend solely on state-owned forests did not object to REDD+ as they are used to resource use exclusion mechanisms from such tenure systems. Assessment of the trial payments showed that most of the people would consider stopping deforestation and forests degradation if they get compensation relative to the losses of income they will encounter. Communities prefer payments in form of community investments rather than paying cash to individuals. It was observed as well that at the local level parallel governance structures for REDD+ have increasingly become a source of intra-village conflicts. In fact, the livelihood of the poor inhabitants is directly hooked to surrounding forests and natural services with growing future needs of land per household that threaten the future of REDD+. On the other hand, land use plans go through a relatively too long process and are costly. Thus, the government should consider preparing plans for all villages to reduce the costs of planning for natural resource management and use.
Strategic power and power struggles in the national REDD+ governance process in Tanzania: any effect on its legitimacy?
(Tanzania Journal of Forestry and Nature Conservation, 2013) Manyika, K.F.K; Kajembe, G. C; Silayo, D. A.; Vatn, A.
Tanzania is currently undertaking a number of initiatives related to the development of national REDD+ governance structures. These initiatives, among others, include process to establish a national REDD+ Trust Fund (NRTF) and the National Carbon Monitoring Centre (NCMC). In this paper, the on-going national REDD+ governance structure establishment processes at both local and national levels are analysed. The study focused on REDD+ governance process, the participating actors, power and power struggle and its effects on the political legitimacy underlying the REDD+ governance process. The study was undertaken through intensive review of literature and relevant reports and documents, and dialogue with actors involved in the process. It was found that while REDD+ governance continues to evolve, some non-economic actors are transforming themselves into economic actors and ‘Power brokers’ in order to enhance their position in protecting their interests during the process. It was noted as well that strategic power and power struggles are emerging as part of the evolving processes at both local and national levels. The study concludes that strategic intervention/decision was required to facilitate smooth process and avoid the stalemate that can be caused by emerging power struggles in the national REDD+ governance structure development process.