Myanmar CSO EcoDev begins consultation and awareness raising on FLEGT

More than 25 representatives of civil society organisations from Tanintharyi and Sagaing regions, Yangon and Kachin State gathered in Yangon from 11 to 13 June to develop a coalition of trainers who will raise awareness on FLEGT among civil society organisations and community-based organisations as a first step towards civil society engagement in a VPA process.

Participants received an overview of FLEGT and how addressing illegal logging through a VPA process can support better governance and policy reforms. 

During the training, participants identified and discussed forest governance challenges affecting all stakeholders involved in the forest sector, including government, the private sector, civil society organisations and armed ethnic groups. They also discussed the interests and concerns of civil society organisations in their localities. 

Participants drafted follow-up activities to encourage discussions among civil society groups and communities in their localities that can in turn inform future national consultations within a VPA process.

The Myanmar professional development group Economically Progressive Ecosystem Development (Ecodev) organised the training with technical input from EIA and the FLEGT Facility. EcoDev plans to support further activities that build the capacities of stakeholder organisations to engage on FLEGT and to support establishing structures and processes for civil society engagement.