The Regional Community Forestry Training Center for Asia and the Pacific (RECOFTC) was established in 1987 to support the development of community forestry. Initially RECOFTC was a Thai based organization and developed to be as international organization following the signature of an international Charter by seven countries. A Strategic Plan 2001-04 attempted a new direction with emphasis on international and regional aspects. The present Strategic Plan 2004-09 took account of the need for organizational changes, and places emphasis on three areas: Regional Analysis and Representation; Capacity Building Services; Country Program Support; with an administrative support system called Program Planning and Delivery. RECOFTC has been and is still is dependent on a few key donors. The present core donors are from Switzerland and Sweden. Denmark has provided funds over a number of years. Since 2003 its funding has been concentrated on the Thailand Collaborative Country Support Program

Initially RECOFTC focused on regional training. In the mid 1990’s a linkage to field experience in-country was initiated through the Thailand Outreach Program (TOP). Following successes at selected sites, it was decided to attempt to use these lessons learned and the opportunity presented by the development of a Community Forest Bill to try to influence policy and promote the formal recognition of CF in Thailand.

3. The Thailand Collaborative Country Support Program (TCCSP), Phase I

The TCCSP was developed as a continuation of the TOP. It was designed under a five year (2003-07) two phase system with a first phase of three years and a second phase of two years. The project is presently at the end of the first phase (2003-05). The TCCSP was designed as two projects to achieve its development objective:

Project 1, is related to strategic development of a Thailand program. This project has the aim to initiate and develop an appropriate project strategy to develop a Thai program which is sustainable. This project includes; networking, knowledge exchange and sharing, combined with action research to identify innovation and best practices in community forestry and remain up to date.

Project 2, has a focus on enabling community forest learning and sharing; to promote collaborative management with a variety of stakeholders. TCCSP’s emphasis has been on identifying different modalities, examining capacity requirements for partners and government officers supported by action research at the community level to identify good practice in CBNRM. TCCSP also supports ongoing decentralization through working with and strengthening the local government organizations for Community Forestry Management.

Project implementation was slow in the first year, but has speeded up in the last two years. Expenditures in the first three year phase were 43% of the total budget. It is unlikely that it will be possible to complete the project within the envisaged five year time frame. There are enough funds available for a no-cost extension of the project by one year up to the end of 2008.

There will be seven outputs.
1. Local and innovative knowledge developed and managed that supports the policy framework of CBNRM.
This output addresses knowledge management, policy and networking issues.
2. Strengthened local CF organizations and communities in current target sites able to maintain CFM activities through strong collaborations and institutional arrangements.
This output addresses the consolidation and sustainability of the phase 1 communities..
3. CBNRM and local forest governance models expanded into new communities/networks and TAOs close to the current target sites.
This output deals with the expansion of best practices and experiences to new communities.
4. Collaborative models and mechanisms improved among supporting organizations working on CBNRM.
This output is concerned with strengthening networking.
5. Increased capacity of field officers and policy makers in key supporting organizations to implement and facilitate CBNRM processes.
This output addresses capacity building in stakeholder institutions.
6. Effective and efficient project delivery to achieve the immediate objectives
This output deals with project management.
7. Approved and funded plan for a sustainable Thailand Community Forest Management Program in RECOFTC.
This output addresses the sustainability of the program.

4. Project Management

The TCCSP is implemented through RECOFTC and reports to the RECOFTC Country Program Support Manager and the Executive Director. An eleven member Program Steering Committee (PSC) has been established with members from various government sectors, politicians, educational institutions, NGOs and donor organizations, the Royal Forest Department, National Park Department, Thailand International Collaboration Assistance Department and Department of Local Administration, Kasetsart University, NGOs and DANIDA. The PSC provides advice and policy guidelines to the TCCSP. The TCCSP Program Manager takes a role as committee member and PSC’s secretary. The TCCSP program manager also works on policy and strategic planning with RECOFTC, donors and providing supervision to program staff with support by the managing core group. PSC meetings take place twice a year for annual planning approval and monitoring the program.

Organization and human resource development are the main internal factors to meet the effective and efficient implementation for the delivery of project activities to achieve the immediate objectives of TCCSP. Rearrangement of program management and improving organizational performance through strengthening the competency of TCCSP staff and its monitoring system will to be carried out.