“Dynamics, Issues and Challenges of Initiating Village Forest Development in Kalimantan” – this was the theme of a sharing lessons learned workshop hosted by GIZ FORCLIME, WWF Kaltim and the East Kalimantan Regional Forest Council (DKD) on 13 and 14 April in Samarinda. 60 participants included village representatives from several districts, staff of NGOs involved in supporting Village Forest (Hutan Desa) development, staff of district and provincial forest administrations and of regional technical units of the Ministry of Forestry as well as private sector representatives, GIZ experts and academics. Additionally, also attended delegation from Jambi Province where the village forest concept has already gained considerable ground.

Discussions centered on experiences with the legal and administrative process of establishing Village Forest following the relevant regulations and guidelines, on lessons learned from initiating and facilitating the process and included analysis of the Village Forest concept and policy itself.

Recommendations were developed in three “clinics” that the organisers had set up for in-depth discussions among participants. They were targeted at 1) central government, 2) district and provincial governments and 3) NGOs and communities.

For further details, please contact:

Helmut Dotzauer
Forests and Climate Change Programme (FORCLIME)
Leader of Component-2
Email: helmut.dotzauer@giz.de