Forest Incomes for Environmental Sustainability FY2018 Quarterly Report: April–June 2018

The goal of the FIFES activity is conservation of biodiversity in 11 community forests (CFs) in Grand Bassa and Nimba Counties. To achieve this goal, FIFES staff work with local, regional, and national stakeholders to achieve two main objectives: creation of well-developed rural forest-based enterprises and enhanced capacity of Government of Liberia (GoL) institutions and rural communities to sustainably manage and benefit from community forest (CF) and buffer zone natural resources. The FIFES Theory of Change states that if key rural forest-based enterprises provide sustainable increased economic opportunities for farmers and forest-based communities, and the technical and management capacity of GoL institutions and communities that are responsible for the management of CFs are enhanced, then deforestation and biodiversity loss will be reduced. The FIFES activity contributes to USAID/Liberia's overall sustainable economic growth program to promote equitable and sustainable market-led economic opportunities in Liberia, accompanied by improved natural resources management. Implementation progress in Quarter III (April-June 2018) is reported in the quarterly report. Key results include the development of key rural forest-based enterprises that provide sustainable economic opportunities for farmers and forest-dependent communities while combatting deforestation and loss of biodiversity. A total of 283 direct beneficiaries were reached as a result of FIFES facilitation or support, including individuals who benefited from WORTH, cocoa nursery, and M&E data collection trainings. Additionally, 1,766 indirect beneficiaries were reached, and 280 households were reached as a result of FIFES facilitation or support. The FIFES activity has also made progress in developing and strengthening sustainable forest-based enterprises. A total of 4 new forest-based enterprises were formed to support program-assisted value chains, and 6 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), including farmers, received business development services from USG-assisted sources. Furthermore, 4 agricultural and enabling environment policies were analyzed, consulted on, drafted or revised, approved, and implemented with USG assistance. The FIFES activity has also made progress in improving the capacity of sustainable agroforest-based business enterprises. A total of 4 new forest-based enterprises were formed to support program-assisted value chains, and 6 MSMEs received business development services from USG-assisted sources. Additionally, 4 agricultural and enabling environment policies were analyzed, consulted on, drafted or revised, approved, and implemented with USG assistance. The FIFES activity has also made progress in improving the enabling environment for agroforest-based business enterprises. A total of 4 agricultural and enabling environment policies were analyzed, consulted on, drafted or revised, approved, and implemented with USG assistance. Furthermore, the FIFES activity has made progress in increasing public-private partnership in biodiversity conservation. A total of 4 new partnerships were established between the FIFES activity and private sector companies to support biodiversity conservation efforts. Overall, the FIFES activity has made significant progress in Quarter III (April-June 2018) in achieving its objectives of developing key rural forest-based enterprises and enhancing the capacity of GoL institutions and rural communities to sustainably manage and benefit from community forest (CF) and buffer zone natural resources.