FAO together with the Ministry for Water and Environment are implementing a project in five districts in northern Uganda: Gulu, Amuru, Pader, Kitgum and Lira. Over the last two decades, these districts experienced relatively higher forest degradation rates in the vicinity of camps for internally displaced persons (IDP) while forest cover increased elsewhere. These IDP place enormous pressure on forests which are perceived as a free resource. Various government and civil society organizations are conducting projects to facilitate returnees and protect natural resources. These efforts are often disjointed. Also the understanding and capacity at district level with regards to forest management of natural resources is low. UNIQUE supported the establishment of coordination and quality assurance units for implementers of FAO and partner programs.

• Training of stakeholders on the protection and administration of forests outside protected areas.
• Assessment of monitoring and evaluation systems of forestry related projects within the districts.
• Development of recommendations on coordinated monitoring and evaluation.
• Development of an implementation plan for FAO’s coordination unit.
• Development of a training curriculum.
• Realization of training workshops.