Document Type: Progress Reports

To build on previous investments in the forestry and agricultural sectors, particularly the Land Rights and Community Forestry Program (2007-2011) and the Liberia Forestry Support Program (2011-2012), USAID contracted Tetra Tech ARD in May 2012 to implement a new, five-year program (2012-2017) entitled People, Rules and Organizations Supporting the Protection of Ecosystem Resources (PROSPER). The overall goal of the program is to introduce, operationalize, and refine appropriate models for community management of forest resources for local self-governance and enterprise development in targeted areas of the country. The three primary objectives of the program are:

1. Expand educational and institutional capacity to improve environmental awareness, natural resource management, biodiversity conservation, and environmental compliance;
2. Improve community-based forest management leading to more sustainable practices and reduced threats to biodiversity in target areas;
3. Enhance community-based livelihoods derived from sustainable forest-based and agriculture-based enterprises in target areas.

This fifth quarterly report presents the activities undertaken and results obtained during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2013 (FY13) which covers July 1 through September 30, 2013. Individual monthly progress reports were also prepared for USAID.

The July to September period marked the conclusion of PROSPER’s first full year of implementation. Despite the advent of the rainy season which made movements of PROSPER staff and community partners difficult, and the absence of all three component leaders for 2-3 weeks for annual vacations, the program was able to move ahead with the execution of a wide variety of planned field activities across all three components. This included fifty-two workshops and stakeholder meetings involving more than 2,500 participants

Summary and Highlights:

The education and outreach team (Component 1) wrapped up the first annual outreach campaign, launched in Quarter 3, with a local rollout in Grand Bassa in July. A three-day workshop co-organized by PROSPER and PCI Media Impact in early July allowed program stakeholders to define the key elements of 52-episode radio drama serial for Liberia. The Component 1 team devoted a good part of its energies in August to preparing the faculty of the Forestry Training Institute to deliver its new community forestry curriculum, developed in FY13 with PROSPER’s assistance.

The livelihoods and enterprise development team (Component 3) pursued implementation of long-running farmer field school and ag-processing support activities throughout the quarter, while carrying out an internal review and gathering technical information and identifying partners needed to support a shift in emphasis to tree crop-based enterprise development in Year 2.

Under Component 2, the central pillar of the PROSPER program, the community forestry team provided support to the three mature CF sites of northern Nimba and the seven new sites identified under PROSPER. In the mature sites, PROSPER focused its efforts in Quarter 4 on renewing the forest governance institutions and strengthening their internal monitoring structure (forest guards), while facilitating the Gba community’s resolution of the complex and longstanding issue concerning settlements in the CF. In the new proposed CF sites, all of which submitted applications to the FDA for authorized forest community status in Quarter 3, PROSPER pursued activities intended to provide a strong foundation for future CF management. These included the extension of basic awareness-raising activities on community forestry (purpose, potential benefits, obligations and processes), and specific sessions on the role and responsibilities of community forest governance structures and qualifications of leaders. Component 2 activities also included conflict management and leadership training aimed at providing target communities with the skills needed to mitigate land disputes that may arise with the demarcation of their forest. In order to sustain momentum in the program’s new sites until the current Government moratorium on new community forest authorizations is lifted, in the fourth quarter PROSPER assisted these communities to establish interim CF “organizing committees”.

PROSPER’s ongoing efforts to empower communities to sustainably manage their natural resources gives the program a unique, close-up view of the multiple and complex challenges – both internal and external – that rural Liberian communities face in achieving that goal. In the fourth quarter, that experience continued to inform PROSPER’s work, providing information and insights that the team integrated into annual work planning sessions organized in August and September, and guiding national-level initiatives such as the establishment of a joint FDA-CFWG review process for new CF management applications.

During Q4, PROSPER continued to share that information and experience at the national level through its participation in different fora including regular meetings of the Land Commission and the Agriculture Coordination Committee. PROSPER also continued to facilitate the participation of forest community leaders in relevant fora such as the County Development Steering Committee and County Forestry Forum in Nimba and Northern Nimba Biodiversity Stakeholders Group where they have gained valuable experience and confidence in presenting their experiences and concerns on important and practical natural resource management and land issues. In August, through a subcontract to the Environmental Law Institute, PROSPER organized stakeholder consultations on the Community Rights Law and Regulation aimed at improving coherence and simplifying the legal framework for community forestry, land tenure and property rights.

With an intense schedule of field activities from July to September and considerable time devoted to preparing preparation of the FY14 work plan, the PROSPER team remained behind schedule in the submission of several deliverables (see table below). PROSPER senior staff met with the USAID COR in late September to review the status of deliverable submission. They concurred on the need for several modifications in the deliverable schedule that could be formalized in a future contract modification.

PROSPER’s Monitoring and Evaluation Unit had a packed fourth quarter schedule that included the successful conclusion of the Data Quality Assessment of the PROSPER performance management system in July (see Cross Cutting Activities, below). Integrating the results of PROSPER’s extensive fourth quarter activities, the program was able to meet or exceed the targets that were established for 10 of the 15 Indicators monitored in FY13.

Deliverables Summary:

No new contract deliverables were due during the fourth quarter of FY13 (July – September 2013). One contract deliverable due in the first quarter of FY13 was re-submitted for USAID review and approval:

• Biodiversity assessments completed for new sites (#24)

Eight deliverables remain outstanding as of September 30, 2013. A list of the deliverables and their status are provided in the table below.

To build on previous investments in the forestry and agricultural sectors, particularly the Land Rights and Community Forestry Program (2007-2011) and the Liberia Forestry Support Program (2011-2012), USAID contracted Tetra Tech ARD in May 2012 to implement a new, five-year program (2012-2017) entitled People, Rules and Organizations Supporting the Protection of Ecosystem Resources (PROSPER). The overall goal of the program is to introduce, operationalize, and refine appropriate models for community management of forest resources for local self-governance and enterprise development in targeted areas of the country. The three primary objectives of the program are:

1. Expand educational and institutional capacity to improve environmental awareness, natural resource management, biodiversity conservation, and environmental compliance;
2. Improve community-based forest management leading to more sustainable practices and reduced threats to biodiversity in target areas;
3. Enhance community-based livelihoods derived from sustainable forest-based and agriculture-based enterprises in target areas.

This fourth quarterly report presents the activities undertaken and results obtained during the third quarter of fiscal year 2013 (FY13) which covers April 1 through June 30, 2013. Individual monthly progress reports were also prepared for USAID.

During the reporting period, PROSPER marked the one-year anniversary (June 18-19, 2012) of the holding of the program’s Inception Workshop. The 59 events organized by the program during the third quarter of FY13, involving over 3,933 participants (see Appendix 4), provide one measure of the scale and scope of the work PROSPER is engaged in 12 months into implementation. As the component summaries (pp. 8-18) make clear, PROSPER made good progress during the quarter in implementing its annual work plan and in achieving performance targets. The dominant activity of the quarter was the belated launching and rollout of the first annual Outreach Campaign aimed at strengthening the capacity of key Liberian institutions to improve environmental awareness, NRM, biodiversity conservation, and environmental compliance. The first campaign was very much a joint effort of PROSPER staff and dedicated members of the Community Forestry Working Group representing the FDA and CSOs active on forest policy matters. National, county, district, and community authorities who spoke at the well-attended outreach campaign launching ceremonies organized in Tappita, Sanniquellie, and Buchanan, reaffirmed the pertinence of community forestry and strongly endorsed the theme chosen for the first campaign (increased awareness of the laws and regulations that give communities rights to use and manage their forests).

The outreach campaign reinforced ongoing work conducted under Component 2 to lay the foundation in each of PROSPER’s 7 new sites for establishment of their community forests in FY 2014. This included meetings to familiarize community members with requirements and procedures for demarcating proposed community forest areas per the Community Rights Law (CRL) and training in conflict management and leadership. Although a moratorium on new community forest management agreements remains in effect, local government and community representatives from PROSPER’s 7 new sites traveled to Monrovia in May to deliver their applications to the FDA for forest community status. The delegations were received by the Managing Director of the FDA who made a personal pledge to prioritize the review and approval of the applications developed in full compliance with the spirit and letter of the CRL. As in previous quarters, PROSPER contributed to ongoing land and forestry policy discussions at the national level through the preparation of briefing notes and presentations to USAID, the US Embassy, the FDA and Land Commission that highlighted, in particular, the difficulties forest communities face in defending their rights and ensuring equitable benefits in their dealings with logging companies and mining and agricultural concessionaires.

While planned activities under the Livelihoods Component, including farmer field schools (FFS) and technical support for cassava and oil palm processing groups, moved ahead during the quarter, consultations within the PROSPER team and between PROSPER and USAID led to a decision to put more emphasis on the development of tree crop-based enterprises in Year 2. The shift in focus is justified in part by the comparative advantage that the Food and Enterprise Development (FED) program has to support the development of agricultural enterprises in the zones where PROSPER and FED both work. In June a home office expert of PROSPER livelihoods subcontractor, ACDI-VOCA, provided technical assistance to the program in assessing opportunities and approaches for supporting tree crop development in PROSPER’s work areas.

Deliverables Summary:

The following new contract deliverables were due during the third quarter of FY13 (Apr. – Jun. 2013):

• Tested environmental curriculum materials (#3)
• Tested public outreach and awareness approaches (#5)
• Community Forestry curriculum elements identified and teaching training needs assessment performed (#7)
• Series of brochures, radio programs, community theater and video products developed to educate the Liberian public on community forestry, LTPR and the environment (#11)
• Three policy briefs (#29)

Three deliverables originally due (by contract) in the third quarter of FY13 were approved (in PROSPER’s 2013 Annual Work Plan) for submission in the fourth quarter of FY13. They are:

• Community Forest Management Handbook (#12)
• Biodiversity Monitoring Handbook (#13)
• Education Review Workshop (#27)

One of the above-listed contract deliverables was submitted ahead of schedule (see FY13 Q2 Report):

• Community Forestry curriculum elements identified and teaching training needs assessment performed (#7)

The following deliverables were implemented at the field level but will be formally submitted to USAID in Quarter 4 of FY2013:

• Tested public outreach and awareness approaches (#5)
• Series of brochures, radio programs, community theater and video products developed to educate the Liberian public on community forestry, LTPR and the environment (#11)

One contract deliverable due in the third quarter of FY13 will be completed in the first quarter of FY14:

• Tested environmental curriculum materials (#3)

One contract deliverable due in the first quarter of FY13 was submitted for USAID review and approval:

• Ethno-botanical survey and Value chain study (#2)

One contract deliverable due in the first quarter of FY13 was implemented in the current reporting period:

• First outreach campaign launched to improve public awareness of natural resource and environmental management issues (#28)

One contract deliverable due in the first quarter of FY13 was re-submitted for USAID review and approval:

• Biodiversity assessments completed for new sites (#24)

One contract deliverable due in the first quarter of FY13 underwent substantial development or revision during the third quarter of FY13 but remains outstanding:

• Sector surveys and analyses for selected forestry and agricultural value chains (#2)

Outstanding contract deliverables to be completed in the fourth quarter of FY13:

• Three policy briefs (#29)
• Report on public outreach and awareness building approaches (#5)
• Submission of outreach and awareness materials (#11)

To build on previous investments in the forestry and agricultural sectors, particularly the Land Rights and Community Forestry Program (2007-2011) and the Liberia Forestry Support Program (2011-2012), USAID contracted Tetra Tech ARD in May 2012 to implement a new, five-year program (2012-2017) entitled People, Rules and Organizations Supporting the Protection of Ecosystem Resources (PROSPER). The overall goal of the program is to introduce, operationalize, and refine appropriate models for community management of forest resources for local self-governance and enterprise development in targeted areas of the country. The three primary objectives of the program are:

1. Expand educational and institutional capacity to improve environmental awareness, natural resource management, biodiversity conservation, and environmental compliance;
2. Improve community-based forest management leading to more sustainable practices and reduced threats to biodiversity in target areas;
3. Enhance community-based livelihoods derived from sustainable forest-based and agriculture-based enterprises in target areas.

This third quarterly report presents the activities undertaken and results obtained during the period from January 1 through March 31, 2013. Individual monthly progress reports were also prepared for USAID.

As the report sections that follow reveal, January through March was a period of intense activity across all three program components and in all of the PROSPER sites. This included a number of outreach and awareness activities the program’s seven “new” sites that were designed to reinforce PROSPER staff and community understanding of community forestry, the Community Rights Law, and the procedures required to establish community assemblies and management bodies. Stakeholder consultations enabled PROSPER to solicit the views of different local actors on their interest in engaging in community forestry and to identify potential forest lands. Related livelihood activities included preparation for farmer field school (FFS) activities, and support to BOTPAL in accessing revolving funds and equipment for the 2013 Griffonia campaign.

In the mature PROSPER sites in northern Nimba, implementation of the management plan continued through support to the CFMB and Forest Guards to implement community-generated rules, introduce the permit system, and resolve boundary and farming issues in the Gba community forest.

The larger context in which PROSPER operates remained troubled in the 2nd Quarter. Rural communities throughout the country struggled to protect their natural resources and to negotiate and/or enforce social agreements under mounting pressure from well-funded mining, agricultural and timber interests – with little support from responsible Government institutions. A sudden surge in applications to the FDA to establish authorized community forests confirmed the prediction of many observers that logging companies would exploit this mechanism to gain access to Liberia’s forests after the “back door” provided by Private Use Permits had been slammed shut in January.

PROSPER devoted a significant amount of attention and energy in the 2nd Quarter to advising and advocating for partner communities on land and forest management issues arising from permits or concessions awarded to private companies on their territory, or from proposed partnerships with private interests. This included an iron ore exploration permit allegedly issued to Mount Bele Resources on Bleih Community Forest land and a permit to process iron ore tailings in the southwestern portion of the Barcoline community. In March, PROSPER and the FDA staff were mobilized at the request of certain members of the Kpogblen Clan in District 4 (Grand Bassa) to deal with an attempted “hijacking” of the community forest process underway in that community. PROSPER advised the community to resist pressure from a national legislator to sign an agreement that would hand logging rights over to a timber company (LTTC) of ill repute once their community forest management agreement is authorized. During the quarter, PROSPER took part in ongoing discussions concerning management of the East Nimba Nature Reserve, and supported the full participation of CFMB representatives from the Zor, Gba, and Bleih community forests in that process.

During the quarter, PROSPER provided information to the GOL and its partners on land and forest management issues encountered on the ground in program-supported communities. PROSPER’s DCOP reported to the CFWG in January on the surge in demand for community forests following the moratorium on PUPs, and made a presentation to the Forestry sector donor working group in late March. Information was shared with representatives from the Land Commission, Global Witness and the United Nations Sanctions Monitoring Committee representative.

Deliverables Summary:

No new contract deliverables were due during the second quarter of FY 2013 (Jan.-Mar. 2013). One contract deliverable due in the first quarter of FY 2013 was submitted for USAID review and approval:

• Biodiversity assessments completed for new sites (#24)

Another deliverable, due in Q3, was submitted ahead of schedule:

• Community forestry curriculum elements identified and teachers training needs assessment and curriculum review (Deliverable 7)

Three other contract deliverables due in the first quarter of FY 2013 underwent substantial development or revision during the second quarter but remain outstanding:

• Sector surveys and analyses for selected forestry and agricultural value chains (#2)
• Report summarizing findings of review of formal primary school curriculum, adult literacy curriculum, and non-formal education materials, and identifying opportunities to integrate environmental themes (#26)
• First outreach campaign launched to improve public awareness of natural resource and environmental management issues (#28)

Contract deliverables to be completed in the third quarter of FY 2013:

• Environmental curriculum materials field tested with MOE staff, other USAID implementing partners, teachers and primary school students in schools in target sites (#3)
• Public outreach and awareness building approaches field-tested with relevant GOL agencies, target communities, and other identified stakeholders along the themes of sustainable natural resources management, land tenure and property rights, environmental compliance, and community-based forest management (#5)
• Series of brochures, radio programs, community theater and video products developed to educate the Liberian public in community forest development, land tenure and property rights, and environmental awareness (#11)

Pending USAID approval, the following deliverables due (by contract) during the 3rd Quarter will be completed during the 4th Quarter to allow PROSPER to take better advantage of May and June (to forge ahead with field work), while reserving the preparation of handbooks and legal reviews until July-September when heavy rains will favor such “indoor work”.

• Community Forest Management Handbook that outlines the development, registration, operations and management of community forests is revised/developed, provided to communities and to other partner organizations, and used by stakeholders (#12)
• Biodiversity Monitoring Handbook for Community Forest Managers is revised/developed and available for communities and their partners (#13)
• Draft of laws, regulations or policies for enactment by necessary GOL legal authorities in support of secure land tenure and property rights for communities in forested areas are developed /revised and disseminated in collaboration with stakeholders (#15)
• Year 1 Education Review Workshop with the CDWG to review lessons learned, best practices, and to assess the formal, adult education and non-formal curricula are revised and tested (#27)

To build on previous United States Government investments in the forestry and agricultural sectors, particularly the Land Rights and Community Forestry Program (2007–2011) and the Liberia Forestry Support Program (2011–2012), USAID contracted Tetra Tech ARD in May 2012 to implement a new, five-year program (2012–2017) entitled People, Rules, and Organizations Supporting the Protection of Ecosystem Resources (PROSPER). The overall goal of the program is to introduce, operationalize, and refine appropriate models for community management of forest resources for local self-governance and enterprise development in targeted areas of the country. The three primary objectives of the program are:

1. Expand educational and institutional capacity to improve environmental awareness, natural resource management, biodiversity conservation, and environmental compliance;
2. Improve community-based forest management leading to more sustainable practices and reduced threats to biodiversity in target areas; and
3. Enhance community-based livelihoods derived from sustainable forest-based and agriculture-based enterprises in target areas.

January – March 2016 marked one of the busiest quarters during the PROSPER project. In January, PROSPER supported the work of four (4) STTAs on the project to provide the following technical assistance:

1. Emiko Gunthe – GIS Expert (23 Jan – 11 Feb 2016)
   1. To provide follow on training in GIS skills to PROSPER and FDA GIS Specialists and field staff including spatial data management, analysis and cartography skills
   2. To review the project GIS database along with related data collection standards and protocols
2. Peter Aldinger – Legal and Policy Expert (21 Jan – 13 Feb 2016)
   1. Developed three (3) Policy Briefs:
      1. The importance of Free, prior and informed consent (FPIC): strategies for realization;
      2. The Voluntary Partnership Agreement: backstopping the community rights law; and,
      3. The Proposed Local Government Act: Community Forestry and Decentralization
3. Leif Kindberg – Communication and Outreach Specialist (23 Jan – 8 Feb 2016)
   1. Assessed the effectiveness of Deliverables 5, 11, 15 and 17, while providing an update for Deliverable 6.
4. Vaneska Litz – Community Forestry Management Specialist – (30 Jan – 20 Feb 2016)
   1. Technical input, oversight and guidance to the PROSPER support Community Forest activities in northern Nimba

In February, after a very long process to modify the PROSPER contract to include an extended Outreach and Awareness Campaign to several additional counties, USAID approved the modification. The modification included four additional vehicles and five (5) new positions: an international full-time FDA Advisor; two additional Drivers; one Communications and Outreach Coordinator; and, a Finance Assistant. Currently, all of the positions are staffed. The three additional counties were strategically selected with the FDA based on the number of current CF applications in the surrounding areas. The new counties include Gbarpolu, Grand Gedeh, and Sinoe.

In March, PROSPER conducted the Fourth Annual Outreach and Awareness Campaign with the theme of “Make Community Forest Rights Real”. The event was well attended and feedback has been positive. PROSPER teams have already deployed to the field sites to distribute materials and messages to the communities. Following the Launch, PROSPER held the FY16Q3 Work Planning session in Monrovia.

Throughout the quarter, PROSPER and the FDA worked closely together to continue with demarcation exercises in all of the PROSPER sites. Demarcation notices are scheduled to be posted in all PROSPER communities by the end of April 2016.

There were nine deliverables due during FY16Q2, which includes five deliverables that were carried over from FY16Q1. Three of the deliverables were submitted, of which one has been approved and two are pending approval. Two of the deliverables are complete and are being reviewed for branding by TTARD’s Home Office. Four are not complete but are scheduled to be complete during FY16Q3. Finally, a deliverable scheduled for FY16Q3 was submitted ahead of schedule and pending approval. A more detailed summary of the deliverables is found in Annex 5, below.

This Quarterly Report provides a description of the activities undertaken by PROSPER during the second quarter of fiscal year 2016 (FY16Q2), January – March 2016.

FY16 Q2 HIGHLIGHTS

Component 1: Education, Outreach, and Awareness

• Observation and assessment of the implementation of the FTI curriculum, with a specific focus on the delivery of the CF curriculum
• Trained local theater groups in the effective delivery of community forestry messages using dramas, skits, traditional songs, and dance
• Launch of the 4th Annual Community Forestry Outreach Campaign
• Finalized and submitted articles for publication in local media to promote the launch of the 4th Annual Community Forestry Outreach campaign
• Developed outreach materials to promote community members’ understanding of the CRL and CRL Regulations
• Developed radio messages and collaborated with community radio stations to broadcast a 42-episode drama
• Provided training for mobilizers to effectively engage teachers in EE clubs, using lesson plans developed with the MoE
• In collaboration with students and teachers, helped develop, and supported the implementation of EE club programs

Component 2: Forest Management and Biodiversity

• Supported the completion of the Gba and Blei CFMPs, the revision and development of their CF rules, and helped define next-steps to promote permitting systems
• Supported CFOCs from applicant communities in Grand Bassa to develop presentations for the CDSC meeting, and facilitated attendance
• Supported the Gba, Zor, and Blei CFMBs to develop presentations for the scheduled CDSC meeting
• Provided training to CFMBs on their new financial policy and business management skills
• Supported the FDA by validating the preliminary demarcation that was done for the proposed CF at Sehyi, through ground-truthing
• Facilitated the participation of CF governance bodies at County-level policy and development forums
• FDA/PROSPER coordination meetings
• Capacity building of FDA cadre
• Capacity building, coordination and cooperation with stakeholders
• Supported the Zor Community Forest to address violations of the community’s constitution and bylaws
• Supported Capacity Building for Biomonitoring

Component 3: Livelihood and Enterprise Development

• Nine new crop diversification groups identified
• Training of six crop diversification groups in basic financial and business management. Four of the groups’ constitutions were drafted, validated and signed to formalize groups as enterprises, and constitutions drafted for the remaining two groups
• Provision of technical assistance to twenty four crop diversification groups
• Identification of a long-term platform for dissemination of agriculture produce prices to ensure farmers have improved market information
• Six additional hives colonized in four communities; two in Tappita and two in Buchanan
• Two hives harvested in one community in Tappita
• Universal Outreach Foundation (UOF) subcontract modified

To build on previous investments in the forestry and agricultural sectors, particularly the Land Rights and Community Forestry Program (2007-2011) and the Liberia Forestry Support Program (2011-2012), USAID contracted Tetra Tech ARD in May 2012 to implement a new, five-year program (2012-2017) entitled People, Rules and Organizations Supporting the Protection of Ecosystem Resources (PROSPER). The overall goal of the program is to introduce, operationalize, and refine appropriate models for community management of forest resources for local self-governance and enterprise development in targeted areas of the country. The three primary objectives of the program are:

1. Expand educational and institutional capacity to improve environmental awareness, natural resource management, biodiversity conservation, and environmental compliance;
2. Improve community-based forest management leading to more sustainable practices and reduced threats to biodiversity in target areas;
3. Enhance community-based livelihoods derived from sustainable forest-based and agriculture-based enterprises in target areas.

This quarterly report presents the activities undertaken and results obtained during the first quarter fiscal year 2015 (FY15Q1) which covers October 1 – December 31, 2014.

During the October – December 2014 period, Liberia continued to feel the full effects of the Ebola crisis, with optimism and skepticism working interchangeably throughout the quarter. Fortunately, PROSPER had anticipated the continued difficulties of interacting with local counterparts and had developed its AWP accordingly. For the most part, work continued as usual as none of the PROSPER sites had any direct contact with Ebola. However, as part of the need to ensure we continued work in our communities, several Ebola training sessions were worked into our normal outreach activities and a revised Ebola Contingency Plan was submitted to USAID.

The end of the first quarter also brought with it the departure of the COP, Paul Cowles, requiring the shifting and promoting of different staff. This will be explained in more detail under Management Activities, below.

In addition to the PROSPER staff changes, the program also welcomed Alexander Kingston as the new ACOR for USAID. He replaces the vacant position that was previously held by Darlington Tuagben earlier in the year. Shawna Hirsch became the COR in December while Jennifer Talbot takes a leave of absence in the US. The rest of this report summarizes the accomplishments for the period measured against the Year 3 Annual Work Plan.

Summary and Highlights

Component 1 activities for the quarter included: Developed and shared strategy with FTI on the engagement of faculty and students in field activities alongside PROSPER staff; Supervision and technical advice to PCI Media Impact on the production and broadcast of 52 Episodes of radio-drama serials; Consultations with project implementers in support of the situational analysis of the threats being addressed; Criteria for engaging school clubs or establishing new ones developed and schools’ assessment tool developed and administered; and, seventy-two environmental education lesson plans reviewed and revised and matched with their respective Teaching and Learning Materials (TLMs), in collaboration with the MoE.

Component 2 activities for the quarter included: Supported the Gba CFMB to implement the MOU signed between the Gba CFMB and AML; Provided updates to the Nimba County Superintendent on the status of the existing and proposed CFs in Nimba County; Provided training for Community Forest Guards and Gba CFMB in Northern Nimba; Collaborated closely with VPA to coordinate capacity building efforts for FDA, through the CFWG; Collaborated with VPA-SU and FDA, through the CFWG to finalize CRL Harmonization Checklist; Developed topics for 3 policy briefs in partnership with CSOs; Engaged stakeholders involved in REDD+ initiatives; and, developed Draft “Threatened Species of Liberia” calendar with FFI.

Component 3 activities during the quarter included: Completed the maintenance and operational training of the Cassava Processing Groups (CPGs), which was delayed in Q4 of FY14 because of the Ebola epidemic; Four oil palm farmers groups were identified for starting their own oil palm nurseries with improved F1 high yielding dwarf varieties of oil palm that were developed in Ivory Coast. The self-raised funds (US$300 per group) contributed towards the purchase of processing equipment (Freedom Mills). A field assessment carried out in December that created an inventory of the current touristic and entertainment establishments along the beaches of the Barconnie shore line. The findings will be presented in a report that will be published in Q2 of FY15; Commenced development of the extension module that can be used in a variety of PROSPER groups, e.g. PROSPER crop diversification groups and FED FFSs. Field testing and validation in Q2 FY15 will shape the modules into their final, site specific version; A field visit to the cane rat production site in Zortapa; Visits to goat development activities of the USAID FED program are scheduled for January 2015. PROSPER was not able to receive any information from Land-O-Lakes since their operations had been halted due to the Ebola crisis; and, there were no ACC meetings in Q1 FY15 due to the Ebola epidemic though meetings will reconvene in January 2015.

Deliverables Summary:

There were several deliverables approved during the quarter, however, they were accounted for in the Annual Report, which was officially submitted to USAID in November, after a thorough review by both USAID and PROSPER. As such, the deliverables chart below only gives a snapshot of the status of the deliverables that were due for the first quarter of FY 2015 per the 2015 AWP.

Building on previous investments in the forestry and agricultural sectors (Land Rights and Community Forestry Program [2007-2011] and the Liberia Forestry Support Program [2011-2012]), USAID contracted Tetra Tech in May 2012 to implement a new, five-year program (2012-2017) entitled People, Rules and Organizations Supporting the Protection of Ecosystem Resources (PROSPER). The overall goal of the program is to introduce, operationalize, and refine appropriate models for community management of forest resources for local self-governance and enterprise development in targeted areas of the country. The three primary objectives of the program are:

1. Expand educational and institutional capacity to improve environmental awareness, natural resource management, biodiversity conservation, and environmental compliance.
2. Improve community-based forest management leading to more sustainable practices and reduced threats to biodiversity in target areas.
3. Enhance community-based livelihoods derived from sustainable forest-based and agriculture-based enterprises in target areas.

This eighth quarterly report presents the activities undertaken and results obtained during the third quarter of fiscal year 2014 (FY14) which covers April 1–June 30, 2014. Individual monthly progress reports were also prepared for USAID.

The April–June 2014 period included the arrival of the new Chief of Party (COP), Paul Cowles, who focused on getting to know the project team, key partners, and the technical scope of USAID/PROSPER. This report summarizes the accomplishments for the period measured against the Annual Work Plan.

SUMMARY AND HIGHLIGHTS

Component 1 activities focused on the roll out of the second Annual Outreach Campaign, beginning with the launch of the campaign in Monrovia in early April. Significantly more community-to-community outreach was facilitated to support outreach and education on community forestry. Assistance to the Ministry of Education (MoE) continued and the second draft of the Teaching and Learning Materials (TLM) was reviewed. Support to Forestry Training Institute (FTI) continued with the handover of the curriculum and participatory techniques teaching guide as well as through support from Dr. Ken Bauer. His support led to the improvement and relaunch of the FTI community forestry teaching website with all materials available online.

Component 2 focused on supporting FDA in moving forward with community forestry after the lifting of the Moratorium in early April. The project began collaborating closely with the FDA team to identify how best to begin moving new Community Forest Management Agreements (CFMAs) forward, and how to address issues with established CFMAs. Facilitation of an agreement between Arcelor Mittal Liberia (AML) and the Gba Community Forest also continued to be a major activity with continued support to conduct inventories and look for wood buyers for timber from the Tailings Management Facility area. Reaching final agreement has been difficult, however, and negotiations continue. Another conflict arose in District 4 near Buchanan, with a separate faction of communities attempting to start a second community forest in the same area. FDA and PROSPER are working together to manage the conflict. The land dispute between the Gblor and Kparblee communities nearly reached resolution but flared up again during demarcation activities, once again demonstrating the complexity and difficulty of helping communities to resolve long-standing conflicts. Scopes of work for more detailed threat assessments and biomonitoring were also developed.

DELIVERABLES SUMMARY

One deliverable was submitted during the reporting period. This information is similarly presented in the appendices.

To build on previous investments in the forestry and agricultural sectors, particularly the Land Rights and Community Forestry Program (2007-2011) and the Liberia Forestry Support Program (2011-2012), USAID contracted Tetra Tech ARD in May 2012 to implement a new, five-year program (2012-2017) entitled People, Rules and Organizations Supporting the Protection of Ecosystem Resources (PROSPER). The overall goal of the program is to introduce, operationalize, and refine appropriate models for community management of forest resources for local self-governance and enterprise development in targeted areas of the country. The three primary objectives of the program are:

1. Expand educational and institutional capacity to improve environmental awareness, natural resource management, biodiversity conservation, and environmental compliance;
2. Improve community-based forest management leading to more sustainable practices and reduced threats to biodiversity in target areas;
3. Enhance community-based livelihoods derived from sustainable forest-based and agriculture-based enterprises in target areas.

This seventh quarterly report presents the activities undertaken and results obtained during the second quarter of fiscal year 2014 (FY14) which covers January 1 through March 31, 2014. Individual monthly progress reports were also prepared for USAID.

The January – March 2014 period was highlighted by major staffing transitions on the part of TTARD and USAID. In January, COP Steve Reid departed from the program after nearly two years developing and refining the administrative component of PROSPER. In preparation for his departure, DCOP Vaneska Litz was approved as the new COP of PROSPER. A new DCOP, Paul Meadows, arrived in country on January 6th to manage the administrative functions that Mr. Reid had performed. There was a brief turnover period with both Mr. Meadows and Mr. Reid on the ground together. At the end of January, COP Vaneska Litz announced her departure from the program in order to take a position in Zambia. Tetra Tech ARD and PROSPER sought to bridge Ms. Litz’s departure and mobilization of the new COP by sending Jesse Buff, PROSPER Senior Technical Advisor/Manager, to overlap with Ms. Litz’s final weeks with the program. At the end of March 2014, Mr. Buff helped orient the new COP, Mr. Paul Cowles, in Burlington, VT. Mr. Cowles arrived shortly thereafter in Liberia and will be overseeing the technical components of the program that Ms. Litz previously oversaw. This report summarizes the accomplishments for the period measured against the Annual Work Plan.

Summary and Highlights:

Component 1 activities focused heavily on the organization of the 2nd Annual Outreach Campaign Launch, which is to take place in early April. Work with FTI continued and the Community Forestry Curriculum and Participatory Teaching Techniques Guide received marking and branding approval from USAID, with the first publications being printed at the end of March. The Component 1 lead commenced activities in Western Liberia with a pilot program that will eventually extend to other non-PROSPER counties to assist communities that have already submitted applications to gain Authorized Community Forest status. With the Community Forest Management Agreement moratorium expected to be lifted in April, there is a strong need to educate communities that have already submitted applications on the overall process of nine steps to achieve CF status. The pilot proved successful in Grand Cape Mount and Gbarpoulu counties and the project is expected to reach out to other counties in May 2014.

Component 2 moved forward with planned field activities despite the many staffing transitions and the moratorium on CFMAs. Highlights in northern Nimba included: supporting the negotiations between Arcelor Mittal (AML) and the CFMB resulting in the recognition of the community ownership rights to forest resources; continuation of Community Assembly (CA) restructuring activities coupled with capacity building which included rules revision and system development; and, the multi-stakeholder CMC engagement regarding the ENNR and Land Commission support to land tenure issues which clarifies and supports community institutions’ rights over their forest resources. In the new sites, forest management organizing committees and Community Awareness Teams continue to promote community awareness on sustainable forestry in the PROSPER target communities.

Major Component 3 activities during the second quarter of FY14 included: completion and submission of the Agricultural Value Chain Assessment report; implementation of the Value Chain Assessment of Wood Based Products; completion of the sector assessment for, the identification of established entrepreneurs who are interested in leading the mobilization and trade of Griffonia as a business activity; starting the selection of cocoa farmers for the cocoa rehabilitation program in Zor and the Big Gio communities; and the finalization of an operation and maintenance brochure for Freedom Mill operators and managers.

Griffonia monitoring continued using plots established in Q4 of FY13 and was further extended for three weeks into April due to the reported late maturing of the Griffonia. The PROSPER-supported cassava processing groups (CPGs) in Northern Nimba had limited business due to immature (small) tuber size. Training of operators and stakeholders of the Commercial Palm Oil Processors at the start of the palm processing season resulted in a good start of the palm processing season.

During the quarter, ten new staff were hired by ACDI/VOCA to provide support to Component 3 activities.

Deliverables Summary:

Ten deliverables were submitted and either approved or returned to PROSPER for revisions during the reporting period. A list of the deliverables approved during the quarter, or submitted and awaiting approval, or submitted and returned to PROSPER before approval can be given, are provided in the table below (updated as of 31 March, 2014). This information is similarly presented in the Appendices.

To build on previous investments in the forestry and agricultural sectors, particularly the Land Rights and Community Forestry Program (2007-2011) and the Liberia Forestry Support Program (2011-2012), USAID contracted Tetra Tech in May 2012 to implement a new, five-year program (2012-2017) entitled People, Rules and Organizations Supporting the Protection of Ecosystem Resources (PROSPER). The overall goal of the program is to introduce, operationalize, and refine appropriate models for community management of forest resources for local self-governance and enterprise development in targeted areas of the country. The three primary objectives of the program are:

1. Expand educational and institutional capacity to improve environmental awareness, natural resource management, biodiversity conservation, and environmental compliance;
2. Improve community-based forest management leading to more sustainable practices and reduced threats to biodiversity in target areas;
3. Enhance community-based livelihoods derived from sustainable forest-based and agriculture-based enterprises in target areas.

Following the completion, in September 2012, of a comprehensive work plan for fiscal year 2013, PROSPER proceeded in the first quarter to implement the ambitious set of activities planned for each of its three components. In the more mature sites inherited from the LRCFP and LFSP programs in northern Nimba, PROSPER focused on implementation of the approved forest management plans through rules development, the introduction of a permit system, and outreach and awareness activities designed with the communities to support implementation. Enterprise development activities included training of Griffonia collectors in sustainable harvesting methods and restructuring of oil palm and cassava producer groups. Farmer Field Schools were also supported through the program while, simultaneously, plans were developed to introduce a more integrated FFS model in the coming year.

At the landscape level, PROSPER participated actively throughout the first quarter in an ongoing debate concerning the viability of the co-management system developed for the East Nimba Nature Reserve, urging the FDA and other members of the Northern Nimba Biodiversity Stakeholders Group to reconsider the ENNR’s status as a strict nature reserve.

In the program’s seven new sites located in Grand Bassa County (2), southern Nimba (4), and northern Nimba (1), PROSPER conducted a number of information-gathering and “entry” activities including community profiling, biodiversity assessment, ethnobotanical and value chain surveys, presentation of the steps for establishing a community forestry, etc. In addition to generating valuable socio-economic and biodiversity data., these introductory activities – planned and carried out in a participatory and collaborative fashion – afforded the PROSPER team and partner communities the opportunity to begin to know each other, and better understand community forestry and the role of PROSPER. Several of the activities provided practical capacity-building opportunities for participating community members, including local authorities, women’s group leaders, NTFP collectors, and hunters. Discussions undertaken with the staff of USAID’s Food and Enterprise Development (FED) program in November and December resulted in the identification of promising opportunities for collaboration on agriculture and forest-based enterprise development in PROSPER’s Tappita and Grand Bassa sites.

This second PROSPER quarterly report presents the activities undertaken and results obtained during the October-December 2012 period. Individual monthly progress reports were also prepared for USAID. As the report sections that follow reveal, PROSPER made notable progress in Component 2 (Community Forestry) and Component 3 (Livelihoods) during the quarter and largely respected its implementation schedule. Nevertheless, the execution of several field activities was hampered by bad weather and poor road conditions, resulting in delays in deliverables, including the final biodiversity assessment; ethnobotanical survey and value chain study. All of these documents are in the final stages of preparation and will be submitted for approval early in the next quarter. In Component 1, PROSPER’s progress was uneven. The program made good strides in Activity 1.3 (FTI community forestry curriculum), but fell behind schedule in the execution of Activity 1.1 (primary formal and non-formal curricula) in particular.

The extension of PROSPER’s activities to seven new sites from October to December was accompanied and supported by a major expansion of PROSPER’s workforce and physical assets. During the quarter, PROSPER established, equipped, and staffed new field offices in both Tappita (southern Nimba County) and Buchanan (Grand Bassa County). In each office, a full-time PROSPER Forestry Officer ensures technical coordination of program activities; a Field Office Administrator provides administrative and financial support and oversight. Between October and early December, PROSPER’s three national subcontractors (NAEAL, CJPS, and AGRHA) recruited, oriented and deployed – respectively – Education/Outreach Officers, Organization Development Officers, and Livelihood Officers for the Tappita and Buchanan offices (a total of six persons), and Community Mobilizers for each of the seven new sites (a total of 21 persons). Motorcycles were purchased for use by all field staff, and training in their use, maintenance and record-keeping was provided to staff as part of their mobilization Though the establishment of the new field offices was made difficult by the extended rainy season, associated logistical problems, and equipment and communications issues, both were fully-staffed and functional by the end of the quarter.

The larger context in which PROSPER’s activities unfolded during the quarter remained dominated by the Private Use Permits scandal and the resulting shake-up at the FDA. Proponents of sustainable forest management in Liberia were alarmed to learn in October of substantial continued logging operations and exports of timber in apparent violation of the PUP moratorium. While the nation awaited the results of an investigation into the PUP scandal by an independent panel, many observers expressed concern about whether the Government would take decisive action to protect Liberia’s forest resources based on the panel’s findings.

During the quarter, PROSPER contributed to ongoing efforts by the GOL and its partners to improve land and forest resource tenure policy by sharing relevant findings from work in PROSPER’s sites. This included a presentation by PROSPER’s DCOP on Private Use Permits, Tribal Certificates, agriculture concessions, overlapping land claims, and issues related to community representation vis-à-vis land ownership at the USAID-sponsored national Land Tenure Workshop in October, and a brown bag presentation on the Community Rights Law and PUPs for the Land Commission in November.

Deliverables Summary:

The following contract deliverables were completed during the first quarter of FY 2013 (Oct.-Dec. 2012):

• Initial assessment prepared of the viability of two Payments For Ecosystem Services (PES) schemes (#30)
• Gender integration plan (#1)

The following contract deliverables due in the first quarter of FY 2013 were prepared in draft form but have not been submitted:

• Biodiversity assessments completed for new sites (#24)
• Sector surveys and analyses for selected forestry and agricultural value chains (#2)
• Report summarizing findings of review of formal primary school curriculum, adult literacy curriculum, and non-formal education materials, and identifying opportunities to integrate environmental themes (#26)
• First outreach campaign launched to improve public awareness of natural resource and environmental management issues (#28)

Contract deliverables to be completed in the second quarter of FY 2013:

• None due

To build on previous United States Government investments in the forestry and agricultural sectors, particularly the Land Rights and Community Forestry Program (2007–2011) and the Liberia Forestry Support Program (2011–2012), USAID contracted Tetra Tech ARD in May 2012 to implement a new, five-year program (2012–2017) entitled People, Rules, and Organizations Supporting the Protection of Ecosystem Resources (PROSPER). The overall goal of the program is to introduce, operationalize, and refine appropriate models for community management of forest resources for local self-governance and enterprise development in targeted areas of the country. The three primary objectives of the program are:

1. Expand educational and institutional capacity to improve environmental awareness, natural resource management, biodiversity conservation, and environmental compliance;
2. Improve community-based forest management leading to more sustainable practices and reduced threats to biodiversity in target areas; and
3. Enhance community-based livelihoods derived from sustainable forest-based and agriculture-based enterprises in target areas.

In October, PROSPER began its fourth year of program implementation, and most likely the busiest year for the program as improved cooperation and communication with the FDA will help realize the completion of the Community Forest Management Agreement process with the eight PROSPER pilot sites in Nimba and Grand Bassa. Following a year of staff changes within PROSPER as well as USAID, and multiple implementation complications as a result of the Ebola crisis, Year 4 has started with much more hope, optimism and promise for success in achieving the goals of the PROSPER program.

In August 2015, PROSPER held its Annual Work Planning meeting in Monrovia, which included all of the local and international implementing partners. The four day event paved the way for the final two years of project implementation. In early December, the approved Annual Work Plan was officially presented to the FDA.

In October, following a request from USAID, Tetra Tech ARD submitted a proposal to the mission which, if approved, will expand outreach and awareness campaigns related to community forestry in additional high-threat counties within Liberian. The expanded scope of work will also help build capacity of the Forestry Development Authority’s Community Forestry Department through provision of an FDA Advisor and build of a core CF technical team among FDA regional staff. It is anticipated that the expanded Scope of Work will begin in FY16Q2.

There were six deliverables due during FY16Q1. Although none were submitted to USAID for approval, three were completed and are currently being reviewed by PROSPER while three are near completion. All are expected to be submitted in FY16Q2. (See Annex 5)

This Quarterly Report provides a description of the activities undertaken by PROSPER during the first quarter of fiscal year 2016 (FY16Q1), October – December 2015.

FY16 Q1 HIGHLIGHTS

Component 1: Education, Outreach, and Awareness

1. Delivered and distributed Primary Environmental Education (EE) Curriculum materials to MOE
2. Analyzed the results of the Knowledge, Attitude and Behavior (KAB) end-line surveys
3. Facilitated Newspaper Publications and Radio Broadcast on PROSPER activities
4. Initiated preparation for Radio-drama outreach through community radio
5. Capacity building support to FTI faculty in CF curriculum delivery and assessment
6. FTI student participation in Site-based Research Activities
7. Updated Database and website for FTI

Component 2: Forest Management and Biodiversity

1. Supported Management Plan and Rules Template Development for Authorized Forest Communities and defined next steps to promote Permitting Systems
2. Supported the Gba CFMB to re-clean the Gba CF boundary in preparation for zoning the CF
3. Supported the Participation of CFMBs at the Northern Nimba Biodiversity Stakeholders’ Forum in Monrovia
4. Provided training to CFMBs in financial policy and business management
5. Consulted with Conservation International and other partners on the potential for piloting Conservation Agreements in the Barconnie Communities
6. Supported the FDA to Ground-Truth the Preliminary Demarcation Conducted at Sehyi CF
7. Supported the CF Governance bodies to participate in County-level Forums
8. Conducted capacity building coordination and cooperation with stakeholders
9. Developed templates for CFMP, CFMA, By-laws and constitutions in collaboration with stakeholders
10. Supported FDA to develop boundary demarcation verification process
11. Provided support to the FDA to compile Findings of the Demarcation Data
12. Provided support to the FDA on the Development of Land Dispute Mechanism
13. Supported Capacity Building for Biomonitoring

Component 3: Livelihood and Enterprise Development

1. The Business Development Advisor assessed five women groups in crop diversification to determine the groups’ capacity and their specific training needs
2. Six high performance Crop diversification groups identified for support for dry season vegetable production
3. All six groups received a set of irrigation water pumps and operation packages
4. Provision of technical assistance to twenty four crop diversification groups
5. Training of CFMBs in financial and business management

To build on previous investments in the forestry and agricultural sectors, particularly the Land Rights and Community Forestry Program (2007-2011) and the Liberia Forestry Support Program (2011-2012), USAID contracted Tetra Tech ARD in May 2012 to implement a new, five-year program (2012-2017) entitled People, Rules and Organizations Supporting the Protection of Ecosystem Resources (PROSPER). The overall goal of the program is to introduce, operationalize, and refine appropriate models for community management of forest resources for local self-governance and enterprise development in targeted areas of the country. The three primary objectives of the program are:

• Expand educational and institutional capacity to improve environmental awareness, natural resource management, biodiversity conservation, and environmental compliance;
• Improve community-based forest management leading to more sustainable practices and reduced threats to biodiversity in target areas;
• Enhance community-based livelihoods derived from sustainable forest-based and agriculture-based enterprises in target areas.

This sixth quarterly report presents the activities undertaken and results obtained during the first quarter of fiscal year 2014 (FY14) which covers October 1 through December 31, 2013. Individual monthly progress reports were also prepared for USAID.

The October to December period marked the beginning of PROSPER’s second year of implementation. Despite the protracted rainy season, activities continued apace. This report summarizes the accomplishments for the period measured against the Annual Work Plan.

Summary and Highlights:

Component 1 activities in this quarter focused on two major activities: documentation of the “Make Community Forestry Rights Real” campaign and documentation of deliverables. Efforts to develop and finalize the 72 environmental education lesson plans continued throughout the quarter. It is anticipated that the curriculum will be finalized and packaged in the next quarter. “Lessons Learned” workshops were held in all of the areas where the “Make Community Forest Rights Real” campaign was conducted, and involved all stakeholders who participated in the first annual outreach campaign. Tetra Tech ARD’s Communications Specialist facilitated two behavior change communication capacity-building activities for the CFWG/FDA on behalf of PROSPER: a Behavior Change Communication (BCC) Workshop for the Design of the 2nd Annual Outreach Campaign on community forestry, and a film editing workshop. Fifteen members of the Community Forest Working Group (CFWG), including individuals from government, civil society organizations and PROSPER staff, participated in the workshops. Lastly, a three-day Community Forestry Curriculum and Teacher Training Review Workshop was held at the FTI in November. The faculty were also provided with a review of participatory teaching methodologies and were oriented in the use of the FTI website and database developed with the support of PROSPER.

Despite a long rainy season, Component 2 field activities continued at all field sites. Highlights in northern Nimba included: negotiations between Arcelor Mittal (AML) and the CFMB that resulted in the recognition of community ownership rights to forest resources that will be removed as a result of AML operations. Community Assembly elections and CFMB appointments proceeded, and communities were represented at the tripartite meeting on the Nimba Mountain range. In the new areas, forest management organizing committees and Community Awareness Teams were organized and mobilized to promote community forestry in the PROSPER target communities. At the national level, PROSPER developed three policy briefs and presented these to stakeholders at a one day workshop in addition to supporting several presenters at a regional Forest Governance meeting. Work with the Community Forest Working Group continued apace with planning for outreach activities in CF applicant communities outside of the PROSPER area. Component 3 activities during the first quarter of FY14 included ongoing delivery of farmer field school sessions to 275 participants at 11 sites. Griffonia monitoring began, using plots established in the previous quarter. The PROSPER-supported cassava and oil palm processing groups (CPGs and CPOPs) in Northern Nimba had limited business due to the rainy season. Sector assessments for cocoa and oil palm as well as charcoal and bushmeat were completed, the results for which will be documented in the next quarter. Most importantly, during the quarter, significant discussions within the PROSPER team and between PROSPER and USAID were held concerning the overall strategy for this component, the relevance of current activities, and proposed reorientations for FY14, all of which is now reflected in the 2014 Annual Work Plan.

Deliverables Summary:

Thirteen deliverables were submitted and either approved or returned to PROSPER for revisions during the reporting period. A list of the deliverables approved during the quarter, or submitted and awaiting approval are provided in the table below (updated as of Jan 7, 2014). This information is similarly presented in the Appendices.