External donors and community-based management of Mgori forest, Tanzania: What happens when the donors leave?

This examination of village-based NRM management institutions around the Mgori forest, Tanzania focuses on the roles played by villagers, foresters, international donor agencies and expatriate advisors in facilitating the development of community forestry. The donors and expatriate advisors provided training and techniques to stakeholders for managing and mitigating conflict among villagers and between villagers and the government. External funders and advisors provided crucial resources, including transportation and communication assistance, influence in convincing higher levels of government to lend support, and third party facilitation to help foresters gain the trust of villagers. The author concludes that before expatriate donors and advisors withdraw, the sustainability of collaborative management efforts will require: Capacity building for Tanzanian foresters and local villagers; Improved technical and policy support from all levels of government; A system of funding for local institutions derived from forest and wildlife management revenues.