International Development Grant
Sustainable Management of Forestry Resources in Honduras
Project Number: CA-3-A034540001
Status: Closed
Country/Region:
Maximum Contribution: $8,521,928.00
Start Date: March 27, 2009
End Date: September 30, 2015
Duration: 6.5 years
Project Description
This project aims to significantly increase the income of rural families working in the forestry sector by strengthening Honduran forestry co-operatives and establishing sustainable forestry practices in broadleaf and deciduous forests. Key project activities are: (i) Training of 27 groups and of 19 co-operatives working in the forestry sector in administrative management accounting and strategic planning; (ii) delivering workshops on the production and marketing of value-added timber products; (iii) guiding these groups and co-operatives through the process for obtaining Forest Stewardship Council certification and monitoring of management practices of eightalready certified community forests; (iv) elaborate and apply production strategies for the commercialisation of value-added products; and (v) establishing four sub-programmes that support co-operatives in acquiring new equipment for the forestry groups and co-operatives provide start-up funding to establish small businesses linked to the forestry sector and support reforestation initiatives linked with the Honduras National Forestry Program.
Progress & Results Achieved
Results achieved up to the end of the project include the following: (1) 67 195 hectares of protected community forests and 10 forestry cooperatives with Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification plus seven other cooperatives in process; (2) improved organization and sector governance with 41 forestry advisory councils established under the 2007 forestry law created and supported 18 cooperatives and 2 federations with enhanced accounting and organizational practices; (3) 25 businesses posted a financial surplus on their financial statements; (4) two sawmills were set up and operators were trained for optimal performance; (5) a heart of palm processing centre was established and began operations; (6) nine cabinetmaking workshops were set up and equipped. This increased revenues for the cooperatives and families supported. Results include a 400% increase in revenues since 2010 for pine resin marketing accounting for Can $2.18M and 89% of families with higher income compared to 2010 64% of whom have monthly income above $220 (a 284% increase from 2010). This project is part of Canada’s commitment to climate change action in developing countries. Participating cooperatives (27) in the project have developed their Forest Management Plans in accordance with standards established by the Government of Honduras (17 cooperatives) and according to the principles and criteria of the Forest Stewardship Council certification (10 cooperatives) which assures the protection and sustainability of the forest and the communities. COOPFORH included reforestation activities on an area of 584 hectares and other silviculture work on 1786 hectares which has a positive environmental effect on soil stability integrity of the watersheds and their ecosystems. Environmental assessments for investment sub-projects were carried out under the terms of the Canadian Environmental Act (CEAA) and the applicable environmental legislation in Honduras assuring the climate adaptability an
Key Information
Executing Agency:
SOCODEVI - Canadian Cooperation Society for International Development
Reporting Organization:
Global Affairs Canada
Program:
NGM Americas
Last Modified:
September 19, 2025
Development Classifications
DAC Sector:
Aid Type: Donor country personnel
Collaboration: Bilateral
Finance Type: Aid grant excluding debt reorganisation
Selection Mechanism:
Pre-APP