BOSCOSA: The program for forest management and conservation on the Osa Peninsular, Costa Rica. Project Evaluation Report

SUMMARY: The BOSCOSA project's objective is to slow deforestation rates in Costa Rica's Osa Peninsula by providing local residents with education and economic alternatives that contribute to the maintenance of forest cover. BOSCOSA's forest management activities focus on sustainable timber production, portable sawmills and forest conservation, whilst their agricultural activities focus on extension and technical assistance for non-traditional perennial cash crops and small-scale agro-industrial processing. This evaluation reports that BOSCOSA has been instrumental in the formation of at least 10 grassroots organizations and has had a large impact on community organization in the region. However, the relationship between BOSCOSA and the organizations have been mixed, and many locals perceive that BOSCOSA's activities have largely failed to adequately address their needs. Income diversification projects have had more success in the agricultural area than in the forestry area. The guanabana and pejibaye plantation projects failed due to lack of markets or conceptual flaws in the project planning. Major recommendations listed in the evaluation report include: Improve communication with grassroots organizations and facilitate networking among groups; Focus on developing local leaders and trainers, with emphasis on helping people manage their grassroots organizations, meet food production needs and generate income; Design mechanisms to assure accountability of BOSCOSA's technicians to grassroots organizations; Develop a training component to emphasize the strengthening of leadership and conflict resolution abilities; Concentrate forestry efforts on carrying out projects on smaller tracts rather than on large areas of land where it is impossible to provide adequate follow up attention; Define evaluation strategies in each area to measure not only quantity but also the effectiveness of programs.