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EFITAP GUYANA UPDATE

GUYANA-EU FLEGT VPA

JOINT MONITORING AND REVIEW COMMITTEE MEETING

2 APRIL 2025

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  • Project: Funded by UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) at request of the Government of Guyana supporting forest governance reforms in line with the Joint Implementation Framework (JIF)
  • Outcomes: Aligned with Strategic Tasks (ST) of JIF.
  • Setup: In country office (up to 4 staff) supported by internal and external resources (EFI and consultancies).
  • Approach: Working with, and in collaboration with relevant stakeholders in achieving outcomes.
  • Duration:
  • 1st Project cycle: 2020-2024.
  • 2nd Project cycle: 2024 – beyond.

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EFITAP – Guyana

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EFITAP – Project outcomes

Outcome

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EFITAP 1 - Six project outcomes

(each outcome is linked to a strategic task in the JIF)

1:

Strengthened and more transparent legality control system designed.

2:

Strengthened regulatory framework through harmonisation of the governing Acts and relevant procedures of TLAS agencies.

3:

Increased capacity of stakeholders to implement the legality control system.

4:

Increased transparency in the forestry sector through the establishment of an information sharing mechanism.

5:

Outreach increased with key stakeholders in preparation for implementation.

6:

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Supporting the GRM to facilitate the handling of Amerindian land rights issues.

Works-treams

EFITAP 2 – Four project workstreams

(each outcome is linked to a strategic task in the JIF)

1:

Enhanced mechanisms and capacity to inform and improve decision-making on integrated land use management.

2:

Implementation of recommendations from legal review to support legal reforms and strengthen forest governance.

3:

Strengthened compliance and enforcement within the forest sector.

4:

Strengthened inclusive decision-making through access to information.

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Workstream 1: Enhanced mechanisms and capacity to inform and improve decision-making on integrated land use management.

Activities/deliverables

  • Meetings with GFC, GLSC, other support projects (FAO) to establish what work has been done and what gaps still exist.
  • Potential areas for support identified included:
    1. National Policy on Geospatial information
    2. Metadata Portal
    3. Next Gen Land Management system
      • Issues include Architecture, functionalities, specifications, modules, data capture, process flow, technology stacks used, documenting system, sustainability components, costing, etc.
    4. Capacity building
    5. Documenting Procedures
    6. Documenting the Process
    7. Development of support packages (and sub packages) with Costing.

JIF ST 3: GTLAS developed and operational; JIF ST 7: VPA-FLEGT connected and supported actions

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Activities/deliverables

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  • Review of the regulatory framework (follow-up)

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  • Forests Act 2009 (Technical revisions)

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  • Support implementation of recommendations from first review:
    • EFITAP supported GFC to transition 36 FSOs registered as Friendly Societies to become legal commercial business entities
      • Included training in record keeping, financial management, and compliance with relevant regulatory requirements.

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    • Understanding Traditional Rights and Practices (ToR prepared)

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    • Other areas of support (e.g. Village Council)

Workstream 2: Legal reforms and strengthened forest governance.

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JIF ST 2: Strengthened regulatory framework through harmonisation of the governing Acts and relevant procedures of TLAS agencies.

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Activities/deliverables

  • FSO Pilot Phase 2 (extended to 14 operators)
  • Institutional Assessment of MISU and follow-up support for strengthening
  • Legality Application
    • Procedures GTLAS Agencies (Compliance and information exchange)
  • Due Diligence (Imports)
  • TLTU (establishment and support)
  • Forest Management Videos (13)
  • Health and Safety Requirements
  • Business Names Application (DCRA)
  • Outreach and capacity building (compliance, etc)
  • FMD retreat (training in updated procedures)
  • Equipment to support strengthening of compliance (tablets)

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Workstream 3: Strengthened compliance and enforcement within the forest sector.

JIF ST 3: GTLAS developed and operational; JIF ST 4: Capacities of stakeholders developed to implement the VPA

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Activities/deliverables

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  • Revision/update of transparency strategy.

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  • Finalisation of procedures (Access to Information).

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  • Complaints Mechanism (developed and operational)

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  • Support to strengthening the ALTP GRM or its successor.

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Workstream 4: Strengthened inclusive decision-making through access to information

JIF ST 5: Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Mechanisms for VPA implementation in place

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Others: Cross-cutting issues

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Activities/deliverables

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  • Gender study.

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  • Financial model.

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  • Learning Exchanges/Events.

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Questions and clarifications

THE END�