Environment
and forest management

Monitoring of environmental actions of
Civil Society Organizations
in the Congo Basin

The case of Cameroon

                It is through a Webinar that the non-governmental organization Field Legality Advisory Group (in abbreviated FLAG) proceeded on Wednesday March 6, 2024 to the presentation of its third report entitled “2022 Environmental Monitoring Index by Civil Society Organization in the Congo Basin". A reference document that fits with the organization's mission for transparency and legality in the management of natural resources, at a time when strong human pressures are increasing on natural resources throughout the world and in the Congo Basin. especially. By addressing sub-regional administrations, development partners and especially the media for advocacy in favor of CSOs, the report highlights numerous difficulties faced by conservation actors in Cameroon.

             The report presents several conclusions important:

First, many civil society organizations (CSOs) face difficulties in carrying out monitoring actions due to financial constraints and limited technical capacity. CSOs primarily focus on monitoring companies in forest resource management, but should broaden their scope to include other actors and segments of the timber supply chain.

Second, the report reveals an increase in the number of publications produced by CSOs. This is due to the increasing demand for information from the public for this, CSOs mainly use web media and networksto disseminate their publications, but also recognize the importance of traditional media such as radio, television and print media, printed reports and conferences, which have become a preferred means of increasing the visibility of monitoring results.

Third, the report assesses the legitimacy of CSOs in monitoring natural resource and environmental management. More than 70% of CSOs involved in monitoring are associations, preferring to maintain this status rather than becoming NGOs due to the administrative complexity and additional requirements associated with this status, although also benefiting from increasing recognition of the forestry administration, which reinforces their legitimacy.

Fourth, CSOs face challenges in terms of technical, financial and material resources for monitoring the sustainable management offorests. However, by diversifying their sources of financing, developing partnerships and strengthening their capacities, they will be able to overcome these obstacles.

    The report highlights the importance of intensifying influence initiatives to maintain pressure on decision-makers in the forestry sector in Cameroon. Progress has been made, but challenges persist such as political resistance, lack of resources and capacity, limited access to decision-making processes and lack of coordination among CSOs. Overall, the report highlights the need to promote the inclusion of vulnerable groups, recognize the role of associations in environmental monitoring and develop a specific legal framework to strengthen their legitimacy. He underlines also the importance of diversifying funding sources, building capacities and developing holistic approaches to maximize the impact of follow-up actions.

                                                                              Constantin Yap