Natural Resource Management : FODER’s Projects Steal The Limelight In Congo Basin

Since its legalization in 2002 in Cameroon, “Forêts et Développement Rural,” FODER environmental association has set itself the huge task of assuring a framework conducive for sustainable development. Through actions that guarantee justice and equity, rights and democracy. And transparent, participatory and sustainable management of natural resources, and the preservation of biological diversity. As well as improve the quality of life and the environment through projects.

Community People Left Out
FODER began working on the sustainable management of forests. Especially as community people living adjacent logging concessions were not involved in what was going on behind their backyards. Though on paper, they were supposed to be overseers of their forest resources!  

Illegal Logging Antidote 
In order to “change the narrative,” FODER came up with the “Système Normalisé d'Observation Indépendante Externe, SNOIE” project (the Standardized National System for Independent External Monitoring, SNOIE project). Otherwise known as “Promoting Transparency in the Cameroon Forestry Sector by Popularizing the Open Timber Portal and Implementing Independent Monitoring,” OPT-OI-CAM project. Which seeks to promote legality and good governance in the forest and environmental sectors.

Artisanal Mining, No Better!
Later, FODER realized that the natural resource governance situation in the artisanal mining sector was even worse, Justin Landry Chekoua, FODER Programme Manager for Mining Governance, remembers. “We then decided to do a project to address the concerns of people living in mining communities – the “Projet mines, environnement, santé et societe, ProMESS” (Mines, environment, health, society project). The project, financed by the European Union, covered the East and Adamawa Regions of Cameroon. 

Towering Projects, Sterling Results
To date, both ProMESS and SNOIE projects have drawn great admiration in Cameroon and beyond. Towering as examples worth replicating by other Congo Basin nations. Some 8 years back, the artisanal gold mining situation in Cameroon’s East and Adamawa Regions was in shambles. Almost anything, by anyone, went on – unperturbed, Justin Chekoua recalls. But today, the situation on the ground is much different. Thanks to ProMESS project and the efforts of its various stakeholders. 

Outstanding Outcomes
Spanning two phases over a period of 8 years, ProMESS directly impacted the lives of at least 5,000 artisanal gold miners in the East and Adamawa Regions. Some 14 artisanal miners’ cooperatives were set up - as against none 8 years back. The project assisted artisanal miners to obtain miners’ cards and mining licenses. Today, about 200 artisan miners own miners’ cards in the two regions. At the beginning of the project, only 10 owned the precious document in the two regions! 

Lived Up To Expectation 
ProMESS lived up to its promise, building the capacity of various stakeholders. Such as oversight ministry staff, local community people, artisanal miners themselves, administrative authorities and journalists. Not surprisingly, a whopping circa 300 news articles and reports were published on artisanal mining challenges in the East and Adamawa Regions of Cameroon, Chekoua discloses – with an air of self-fulfillment. Simialrly, a Sub-regional (Congo Basin) Artisanal Mining Forum was held in Yaounde, Cameroon in January 2023.Which was heavily covered by the media.  

Thousands Returned To School
Other ProMESS project gains include sensitizing and organizing mining communities to send dropouts back to school. Between 3,000 and 4,000 former school dropouts have since returned to school. Supported by the creation and equipment of four thriving community elementary schools in mining communities that had no schools before. 

DRC Seeks Replication 
Not surprisingly, ProMESS’ resounding success has drawn admiration within and beyond the shores of Cameroon. For example, authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo, DRC have invited FODER over to share its expertise in restructuring artisanal mining. And then do a joint sub-regional project. They learnt of the project’s major gains on the media, Justin Chekoua notes. Citing the example of a documentary FODER did with France 24 television channel on child labour in Cameroon’s mines. To date, the documentary has been watched on France 24’s website by least 50,000 people. 

SNOIE Procedures
Meanwhile, the Standardized National System for Independent External Monitoring, carries out several activities. Including fighting illegal logging through Independent External Monitoring, OIE missions. The reports are forwarded to the Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife, MINFOF after screening by the Ethics Technical Committee, CTE. 

Thanks To FODER, Partners
FODER, Civil Society Organizations, CSOs and the Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife in 2015 set up the Standardized National System for Independent External Monitoring, SNOIE. This, in order to strengthen the efficiency of Independent External Monitoring, OIE and its impact on law enforcement and meting out sanctions. SNOIE’s conception and implementation are based on ISO 9001-2015 standards on quality management.

Congo Emulates Cameroon’s Example
“The Standardized National System for Independent External Monitoring has achieved much in Cameroon. It is being replicated in Congo Brazzaville where we were invited by the authorities to share our experience,” “Forêts et Développement Rural” Coordinator, Justin Kamga, announced at a press conference in Yaounde on August 4, 2023. Conceived by FODER, the system of stemming illegal logging is revolutionizing forest governance in Cameroon and beyond. 

Government Collaborates 
Beaming with smiles, Kamga disclosed that FODER and civil society organizations have since 2015 joined efforts to fight illegal logging in Cameroon. In support of the Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife. “We file complaints against illegal logging with MINFOF, and they have been responding. This is encouraging because it shows that we are working together,” Kamga noted. 

SNOIE Congo Certification
Meanwhile, several experience-sharing exchange visits have been undertaken by FODER and its Congolese counterparts. Most importantly, the Standardized National System for Independent External Monitoring in November 2022 received ISO 9001 2015 certification in Congo Brazzaville. The SNOIE Congo certificate of conformity was awarded by the certifying body, Bureau Veritas. The process comprised auditing the system, assessing its functioning and performance. While gauging the expectations of process indicators and the level of satisfaction of the parties.