A key component of the Viet Nam Forest Sector Strategy is the socialization of the sector. This involves decentralizing forest management to the provincial, district and commune levels, the privatization of forest land ownership and allocation of land to households, communities and companies, and poverty alleviation for people living in and dependent on forest land.

The major challenge facing the forest sector is how to carry out these reforms in accordance with the National Strategy in a way that is both equitable and ensures the sustainability of the forest resource, the conservation of its biodiversity and its ability to provide environmental services. This will need appropriate policy instruments and processes across all levels of governance.

This project seeks to establish a data and information gathering system that builds capacity for evidence-based analysis to support policy development, strategic planning and the scheduling of appropriate activities in the forest sector. A further aim is to provide this information to all stakeholders, enable a concerted and integrated approach to socialization of the forestry sector. The ultimate goal of the project is to make the requisite information and data available (scenario mapping) along with the analytical capability to support decision making at all levels of governance. An appropriate system of capacity building in planning, problem solving and decision making is therefore needed, as well as improved systems for knowledge capture and transfer.

Objectives

1. To provide a system for gathering, analysing and sharing data and information about the forest sector to facilitate evidence-based decision making for improving the livelihood of forest-dependent communities and conservation of forests and forest lands.
2. To derive policy recommendations for improving land use planning and sustainable forest management policies

Outcomes/outputs

The project is expected to develop a sound information system model for supporting decision making processes. Planning and analytical tools will be developed for setting up an information system for land use planning and sustainable forest management. An information-sharing mechanism will be designed for different kinds of users (students, forest users, researchers, managers, etc.). Moreover, several training courses, conferences and policy dialogues will be held during the implementation process.