Forest Incomes for Environmental Sustainability (FIFES) Second Quarterly Report

The program is designed to combat deforestation, forest degradation, biodiversity loss, and reduce threats to biodiversity, while also promoting gender equity and youth opportunities. The overall goal of FIFES is to develop key rural forest-based enterprises that provide economic benefits to rural farmers and forest-dependent communities. To achieve this goal, the program focuses on three main components: Selected Forest Value Chains Strengthened, Legal and Management Frameworks for Forest Enterprises Established, and Knowledge and Skills for Forest Enterprises and Landscape Management Enhanced. During the second quarter of 2016, FIFES completed the recruitment of local staff and established fully-equipped offices in three locations. The program also introduced newly trained and deployed Field Facilitators (FFs) to their new work environment, with a 38 percent female average among potential beneficiaries. On June 17th, USAID approved both the FIFES FY16 Workplan and the Environmental Monitoring and Mitigation Plan (EMMP). FIFES submitted a revised Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Plan (MELP) for approval by USAID on July 5th. The program's management activities are focused on staffing, offices, and procurement. FIFES recruited a new Agro-Forestry officer and Pact hired two staff members in May to complete their recruitment, a Livelihoods Specialist and a Capacity Development Officer. The program established sub-offices in Sannequellie, Tappita, and Buchanan, with the sub-offices in Tappita and Buchanan using space provided by the USAID PROSPER project. FIFES also conducted various activities during the second quarter, including the completion of value chain assessments, capacity building for value chain stakeholders, and strengthening the enabling environment for forest-based businesses in Liberia. The program also conducted biodiversity monitoring and product inventories, organizational capacity assessments, and multi-stakeholder dialogues to establish legal and management frameworks for forest enterprises. The program's geographic focus is on Liberia, with a specific emphasis on community forests and forest-dependent communities. The program's timeframes are focused on the five-year duration of the program, with quarterly reports submitted to USAID. The program's recommendations are focused on the need for continued support for community forestry activities, the importance of integrating gender equity and youth opportunities, and the need for ongoing monitoring and evaluation to ensure the program's effectiveness. Overall, the FIFES program is a comprehensive initiative aimed at promoting sustainable forest management and alternative livelihood activities in Liberia. The program's focus on community forestry, value chain development, and capacity building is designed to provide economic benefits to rural farmers and forest-dependent communities while also promoting biodiversity conservation and reducing threats to biodiversity.