DFID has recently completed a study on 20 years of UK support to Ghana's forest sector. This study documents the lessons gained from experience in a single sector and how they can be applied more generally. It also assesses the social and economic aspects of Ghana's industrial forest development, and identifies rights-based approaches to making forestry work for poor people.
In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, DFID is funding the Roundtable Review, a study looking at alternative forest uses and innovative finance mechanisms for conservation and sustainable forest management (DRC). This study will look at the current benefits of logging in the DRC and seek alternative models that are more responsive to the needs of local people and the global environment.
DFID is funding the Rights and Resources Initiative along with other donors, research institutes and conservation organisations. This initiative focuses on pro-poor forest policy and tenure reform, including ways of increasing local ownership and access to forest resources. The Rights and Resources Initiative has produced a number of studies that assess the social and economic benefits of concession-based forest industry. More information about this initiative can be found at:
www.rightsandresources.org.