By some estimates, over a billion people in developing countries depend on forests for their livelihoods, yet commercial forestry—especially small-scale commercial forestry—has had limited impact on reducing poverty. High capital and technological requirements, insecurity of land tenure over long time frames, and the small size of many enterprises have inhibited commercial wood production from becoming a significant factor in local economic growth. TFD convened a series of dialogues from 2006 to 2008 to explore so-called “pro-poor” commercial forestry, initiatives by governments, businesses, and others aimed at raising rural incomes through sustainable commercial forestry.

Street, W and S Price. 2009
TFD Review: Advancing Poverty Reduction & Rural Livelihoods Through Sustainable Commercial Forestry (English)
TFD Reporte Final: Avanzando la Reducción de la Pobreza y el Sustento Rural a través del Manejo Forestal Sustentable (español)

Meeting materials available.

Dialogues

Dialogue on Forests and Rural Livelihoods

21-24 October 2008 - Syktyvkar, Russia

TFD convened a Dialogue in Syktyvkar, the Republic of Komi, Russian Federation in October 2008 to investigate the connection between forests and rural livelihoods. Participants visited the Priluzje region of Komi for two days to see first-hand the conditions of villages and logging settlements, and to meet stakeholders from community groups, industry and government. In Syktyvkar, the dialogue focused on the social impacts of forest industry on rural communities, both in Komi and around the world. It was the last in a series of dialogues addressing the issue of forestry and poverty reduction that have previously taken place in South Africa, Indonesia and Bolivia. Based on what has been learned in these dialogues, TFD will develop a publication on this topic that can provide guidance for stakeholders involved in rural development and sustainable forestry.

Meeting materials available.

Леса и благосостояние населения

21-24 октября 2008 года - Сыктывкар, Республика Коми, Россия

В октябре 2008 года Лесной Диалог (ЛД) открыл форум в Сыктывкаре, в Республике Коми, Российской Федерации, чтобы обсудить связь между лесом и благосостоянием населения. Участники форума посетили Прилузский район на юге республики, чтобы из первых рук узнать об условиях жизни деревень и посёлков и встретиться с заинтересованными сторонами обшественности, промышленности и правительства. В Сыктывкаре участники сосредоточили своё внимание на улучшении отношений и связей между этими сторонами, и усовершенствовании процесса экономического развития в лесных регионах. Этот форум был последним в серии диалогов о лесоводстве и преодолении бедности. Предыдущие встречи прошли в Южной Африке, Индонезии и Боливии. ЛД использует накопленный опыт для написания доклада, который будет полезен заинтересованным сторонам в сферах сельского развития и устойчивого лесного хозяйства.

Meeting materials available.

Dialogue on Pro-Poor Commercial Forestry in Bolivia

18-21 September 2007 - Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia

TFD convened a dialogue with associated site visits in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia in September 2007 to continue its exploration of pro-poor commercial forestry. This group of experts came together to learn from each other and identify the conditions under which commercial forestry can play a significant role in the reduction of poverty, both locally and globally. The Bolivia Dialogue was a follow-up from a Scoping Dialogue in South Africa in 2006 and a mini Dialogue in Indonesia in 2007. It was the third in a series of dialogues and field visits by this working group to countries that offer the best opportunities to explore the potential of pro-poor commercial forestry in alleviating poverty and to expand the working group's knowledge of these initiatives. The group will continue to contribute to ongoing national policy discussions on the role of commercial forestry in poverty reduction. A priority of this dialogue was to involve key Bolivian stakeholders in this ongoing international dialogue process.

Meeting materials available.

Mini Dialogue on Pro-Poor Commercial Forestry

4 March 2007 - Pekanbaru, Indonesia

TFD convened its second Dialogue on poverty reduction and forestry in Indonesia. The Dialogue preceded TFD's full IMPF dialogue and was open to those IMPF dialogue participants particularly interested in the poverty reduction issue.

Meeting materials available.

Scoping Dialogue on Forests and Poverty Reduction

19-21 June 2006 - Richards Bay, South Africa

TFD convened a "scoping" Dialogue to discuss numerous questions regarding forests and poverty reduction with a group of stakeholders. The topics of discussion included the forest sector's role in poverty reduction, how can timber, pulp and paper reduce poverty, and how can poor communities contribute to sustainable forestry. The Dialogue attempted to identify areas of potential collaboration amongst diverse stakeholders to increase forestry's potential to create poverty reduction initiatives.

Meeting materials available.