Description
The project “Green Forest - Promoting Civic Values and Forestry Policy in Minho” will (a) raise awareness and inform 200 students on the functions performed by the Forestry Firefighters; (b) promote discussion on the Portuguese legislation (among 70 users of vacant land) for the creation and development of vacant land users’ groups; (c) promote participation and debate between the different forestry staff (60 persons) in relation to civility in forested areas; and (d) the involvement of public authorities in this subject. Another goal of this project is to increase the participation of civil society on forestry issues and on policies related to the prevention of forest fire. This project hopes to increase the involvement of NGOs in policy and decision making processes, and the expected outputs are: (a) 6 dialogue or cooperative activities to be initiated or developed with public authorities; and (b) the change of legislation, policies and practices.
Summary of project results
This project successfully raised awareness on forestry-related sustainable development issues. Implemented at local level, in a forest-rich area of northern Portugal next to the Peneda-Gerês National Park, it targeted school children up to 13 years old. The project also provided useful networking opportunities and visibility in the local community, strengthening the promoter’s capacity for addressing these subjects and insuring the continuity of some of the project’s activities. A small book was created and freely distributed over the course of the project, and a contest was organized for the youths, which learnt good practices with this experience. A seminar on civic values in the forest was also held. 690 youths participated in the project, and 17 local stakeholders, such as private landowners, NGOs and regional authorities were also targeted, being invited to participate in its activities (132 adult participants in all), which included the discussion of public policies.
Summary of bilateral results