CEPF has been actively involved in the forest policy development in Central and Eastern European countries (CEEC). Part of this activity was a workshop on best practice examples of non-state forestry in CEEC, held in Bulgaria last month. The aim of the workshop was to strengthen the non-state forestry sector and to enhance its contribution in the implementation of sustainable forest management.

 

The event was a follow up to a workshop held in Lithuania in 2007 and part of the series of events within the FAO/IUCN/CEPF framework project.
 
The following cases were presented:
1) private forest owner association development with cases from Estonia, Czech Republic and Croatia,
2)  wood energy with cases from Serbia and Croatia, 
3)  property rights on forests with cases from Turkey, Estonia and Slovenia.

Discussion revolved around the property rights and forest management regulation. In addition, examples of structure of the forest owners associations and ways of organizing their work were presented. In Turkey, basically no private property exists, whereas in Slovenia over 70% of the forestland is privately owned. The regulations are also diverse according to this set up and, which offers a rich material for exchange and learning. Also ways of structuring the associations differ from country to country. On the one hand there is involvement of public bodies and finances as e.g. from Estonia. On the other hand, in the Czech Republic no public support is taking place. Instead this association presents a broad alliance of non-state forestry stakeholders.   

Furthermore, the workshop reflected on the recent development trends and issues of the Bulgarian forestry sector. The issue was presented by Mr Georgi Kostov, deputy minister, and  colleagues from the Executive Forest Agency. Dr Cenko Cenoc and Mr Martin Borisov provided an expert insight into the private sector and forest policy issues. In the meantime 25% of forests have become private in Bulgaria. A new forest act has been under development.

The participants got a chance to see private forestry issues in practice. A field session organised by the forest cooperative „Borika” and the National Association of Private Forest Owners „Gorovladelets” was held on 17th January.  Borika gathers some 1,230 forest owners and manages 2,000 ha forestland, whereas Gorovladelets gathers some 22 cooperatives with some 85,000 forest owners. It has been in operation since 2002. The striking feature of the cooperatives is a remarkable diversity of the activities ranging from forest management to timber processing, tourism, hunting and trade. All those play a very important role in the life of local communities as a source of income, employment and social life. A clear indication of well organised part of the Bulgarian forestry sector was visible. Respect from the public administration and the local community as well as society as a whole adds to the success story.

Mrs Anelia Pochekanska, chairperson of „Gorovladelets” stated the intention of joining CEPF in the very near future, and with this taking the lead in representing SEE EU countries in CEPF. 
CEPF Secretary General Morten Thoroe, who also attended the meeting, welcomed this development by underlining that CEPF can only benefit from the cooperation with an authentic forest owner-based and well functioning organisation like this one.  

The workshop presentations are also available at: www.cepf-eu.org/event.cfm?ID_art=319