The Strengthening Voices for Better Choices Project (SVBC) was implemented in six countries, including Brazil. It allowed IUCNs partners and members to develop knowledge and capabilities based on experience, thus enabling the different actors to improve their participation in governance spaces and processes.
This publication sets out the specific actions that policymakers, forest managers and other stakeholders should take to improve biodiversity conservation in tropical production forests. In this way, it aims to help in the conservation of arguably the planets most valuable resource its diversity of life.
The IUCN initiative Strengthening Voices for Better Choices (SVBC) is piloting improved forest governance arrangements, among others in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This study was conducted in the Equator Province to try to answer questions about good forest governance, accountability arrangements, and the potential of SVBC-established structures to improve forest governance, among others. It also provides recommendations for further action research on accountability arrangements.
This study reviews the financial costs of abating greenhouse gas emissions through Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation (REDD). It is written from the perspective of an institutional investor seeking cost-effective climate mitigation options. A review of empirical data from Brazil and Indonesia suggests that REDD may, in many areas, provide a cost-effective climate mitigation option, with estimated costs lying in a range of US$ 2-10 per ton of CO2e.
The Strengthening Voices for Better Choices (SVBC) project is currently operating in six tropical forest countries (Brazil, Ghana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, Sri Lanka and Viet Nam). To allow key stakeholders to acquire the skills and knowledge that will allow them to participate more effectively in the development and implementation of new and improved forest governance arrangements, a capacity needs assessment (CNA) process for the six national components of SVBC was designed.
This paper is a response to an IUCN internal review of the Strengthening Voices for Better Choices project, carried out in May 2007. The review recommended that a study be carried out, focusing on the process of implementation in Sri Lanka, in order to learn lessons about catalysing dialogue for improved forest governance. It is intended to serve as a learning tool for people involved in the Strengthening Voices for Better Choices project in Sri Lanka and beyond.
