Interim evaluation of the National Forest Programme
maa- ja metsätalousministeriö
17.05.2005
Julkaisusarja:
serial publication
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
http://urn.fi/URN:ISBN:952-453-230-1
http://urn.fi/URN:ISBN:952-453-230-1
Tiivistelmä
The aim of the interim evaluation of the National Forest Programme (NFP) was to discover the extent to which the aims set for it had been achieved, and examine the way in which the NFP complies with the European Principles for national forest programmes. The evaluation resulted in proposals for the achievement of aims and the development of the NFP process. At the midway stage of the implementation of the NFP, what is noticeable is the significant progress that has been made in the achievement of the programme’s aims. Among the main results that are clearly positive are the increase in the use of domestic roundwood and in the consumption of wood for energy, the forest biodiversity programme for Southern Finland (METSO), the public financing of silviculture and basic improvements to forests, the attention paid to the importance of the multiple use of forests, the Future Forum on Forests, and an active international forest policy.
The main challenges regarding the achievement of results are connected with the value of exports in the wood product industry and the trend in the use of domestic roundwood. A wider range of measures is now needed to achieve aims and targets here. Other challenges include the implementation of the nature conservation programmes, nitrogen washout from forest land, the future of METSO, first thinnings and drainage reconditioning, the knowledge base and funding to support the recreational use of forests/nature, and the diversification of education and research in the forest sector.
The programme process was found to be viable, and the European Principles were being complied with. The NFP provides guidance for the Regional Forest Programmes reasonably well, and the Regional Forest Programmes are taken into account satisfactorily in the drafting of the NFP. The NFP has enhanced interministerial co-operation and the Regional Forest Programmes have promoted the co-operation of stakeholder groups involved in regional development processes.
The principle areas for improvement to the process concern the creation of mechanisms for managing disputes at national and regional level, the potential for having an impact on strategies and allocation of resources in other sectors, strengthening the commitment of key players, and the development of information management. The long-term recommendations focus on a more efficient, programme-based approach, the setting of aims and targets, and a greater range of measures.
The main challenges regarding the achievement of results are connected with the value of exports in the wood product industry and the trend in the use of domestic roundwood. A wider range of measures is now needed to achieve aims and targets here. Other challenges include the implementation of the nature conservation programmes, nitrogen washout from forest land, the future of METSO, first thinnings and drainage reconditioning, the knowledge base and funding to support the recreational use of forests/nature, and the diversification of education and research in the forest sector.
The programme process was found to be viable, and the European Principles were being complied with. The NFP provides guidance for the Regional Forest Programmes reasonably well, and the Regional Forest Programmes are taken into account satisfactorily in the drafting of the NFP. The NFP has enhanced interministerial co-operation and the Regional Forest Programmes have promoted the co-operation of stakeholder groups involved in regional development processes.
The principle areas for improvement to the process concern the creation of mechanisms for managing disputes at national and regional level, the potential for having an impact on strategies and allocation of resources in other sectors, strengthening the commitment of key players, and the development of information management. The long-term recommendations focus on a more efficient, programme-based approach, the setting of aims and targets, and a greater range of measures.