Capability Statement for the TFRG in Africa

The Tropical Forest Resource Group (TFRG)

The TFRG is a voluntary association of institutions and organisations based in the UK that have a demonstrated capacity in tropical forestry research, project management and consultancy related to African conditions

The unique combination and synergy of the member organisations enables TFRG to provide a range of services which supports the promotion of sustainable forest management throughout the world through provision of technical expertise and expert project management.

The TFRG has an established record of project management in many parts of Africa.  There is a tested capacity in monitoring and evaluation, technical consultancy services, project preparation, and project identification, appraisal and implementation.  The range of support disciplines covered in the TFRG group includes those most relevant to forestry project management.

The group has access to more than one thousand working scientists, and individual members retain extensive databases listing 2,500 consultants in all natural resource disciplines.

Management Capability

The lead managing agency of the consortium is the Secretariat of the TFRG which is based at Oxford Forestry Institute of the University of Oxford (OFI).  The modus operandi  for managing projects has been well demonstrated through the management of many aid and development projects funded by the United Kingdom Department for International Development (DFID) under their bilateral aid programmes in the forestry sector.  Some examples of these projects are tabulated below:

All the above projects have been successfully implemented through competent long-term management at OFI.  The OFI has experience of a closely similar undertaking commissioned by the European Commission under project number B7-6201/96-19/VIII/FOR “EC/SADC Forestry Sector Cooperation Strategy Study” which was successfully presented to the Commission in April 1998

A recent precedent illustrating the strength and capability of the TFRG in project management is the management of a forestry education and training project in South Africa.  This has recently been commissioned and has established a very clear accounting and reporting mechanism for managing complex projects on behalf of DFID.  Early indications are that the implementation of this project is running smoothly.

The existing management mechanisms and communication strategies among member so the TFRG provide an ideal framework for the management of similar complex projects.

Oxford Forestry Institute

The Oxford Forestry Institute is the base for Oxford University’s activities in forestry education, training, research, information and advisory services.  Its professional staff comprise University Lecturers, Research Officers and Research Assistants with wide international experience and interests.  The professional base of the Institute also includes a wide range of highly experienced associates.

The Institute functions within the University’s Department of Plant Sciences, and has as its principal internal mission the pursuit of excellence in education and academic research.  Its external mission is to maintain and enhance its role and reputation in training, strategic research, information and advice.  In support of these roles and through association with CAB International, the Institute’s library has developed as the world’s leading centre for forestry literature accession and dissemination.

In addition to these University-related roles, Institute staff provide consultancy and advisory services to both public and private sectors.  Relevant experience includes project undertakings in Ghana, Nigeria, Tanzania, Cameroon and Senegal.  OFI was a principal partner in the EU-funded project to prepare a strategy for forestry in the SADC region.

Collaborative Link - Kenya

The object of the Link was to strengthen and support the Moi University Department of Forestry, Kenya.  This applied particularly to the period when many of the Department’s younger staff were overseas gaining postgraduate qualifications.   The support included the provision of teaching staff, equipment and library books.  The three year project, initiated in 1987 ended March 1991.

The following is list of collaborative undertakings in Africa:

UK  funded projects in Africa managed by OFI and assisted by the TFRG

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