Annex 1 - the European External Action Service - Europa

Contact Name: Thomas Paka
Telephone number:
E-mail: teff@global.net.pg
Person present: Thomas Paka, Director
Location: POM
Date:
Eco Forestry Forum
1. NGO historical aspects
- Formed in 1999 after the Barnett’s report denouncing mismanagement of the natural
resources and the non-compliance to international standards of forests management.
- People were suffering from the situation and were too isolated to be heard, therefore a
group of foresters decided to create the EFF to the voice of the communities.
2. Organizational aspects
- The Eco-Forestry Forum is registered as an incorporated association and has an
elected Board of Directors and a full time secretariat with six staff.
- The Forum's Board of Directors works closely with the Forum's Members to ensure
that their interests are served and provides the main directional force behind the
organisation. The Board sets the agenda for the Forum staff and takes a national lead
in policy issues. The Board meets formally at least four times each year and informally
several times each quarter.
- EFF represents its members, but they can act separately according to the issues
3. Networking and institutional relations
- Relations with Government are going better has the Government is taking them more
and more seriously and count them as a valuable partner for dialogue (EFF was kick
out the National Forest Board, but as been asked to come back later on).
- The office of Climate Change wants EFF to participate to decision making process.
4. Juridical and legal aspects
- The Forum is registered with the Investment Promotion Authority and the Internal
Revenue Commission in PNG and its accounts are audited annually by the
international firm, KPMG.
5. Financial aspects
- The Forum is funded entirely through voluntary donations and grants from
Foundations and other not-for-profit organisations. The Forum does not accept money
from commercial interests or Government.
- Also funded by the Interchurch Organisation for Development Cooperation in The
Netherlands and is grateful for the on-going support of ICCO since 1999, EED since
1997 and the Rainforest Foundation Norway since 2007.
- The part of project on the budget represents 51 to 55% and the overhead more than
49%.
- Membership for national NGOs = 200 Kina/year; Membership for international NGOs
= 500 kina/year
6. Activities and sectors
- To promote sustainable forest management for the benefits to stay with the people
and the quality of the forest secured, to do advocacy and lobbying, capacity building,
networking and disseminating information (gathering information, identifying an
audience and prepare correspondent brochures).
- The PNG Eco-Forestry Forum is a not-for-profit incorporated association formed in
1999 with the goal of promoting integrated rural community development and
sustainable resource use through a viable and sustainable eco-forestry industry.
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