Community Facilitation in Forestry

‘The creation of a forest industry in the Eastern Cape to benefit small-scale growers and communities on communal land requires an intervention that goes beyond existing models centred on pulp wood development. On past experience, there are low benefits and high risks to small-scale producers through pulpwood production, given the lack of infrastructure and distances to processing plants outside of the province.'

Considerable interest in forestry as a form of land use and income generation has been generated amongst local communities in the Eastern Cape. An estimated 50 communities have either expressed interest or are already involved with forestry projects with the support of one or other of the main partners active in the Eastern Cape. However, excessively long delays and cumbersome procedures required for authorisation of new afforestation continue to be cited as the major barrier to new afforestation. This project centres on two case studies - which form the basis for addressing a number of key implementation challenges - and a series of strategic interventions to address key constraints and blockages.