Policy for public participation in foresty research and development role of eco-region research consultative committees

Abstract

Engagement of stakeholders in the process of research concept development, implementation, and monitoring is key in ensuring success of KEFRI research and development programmes/activities. This engagement strives to ensure that the research and development programmes/activities provide relevant outputs that address problems of the target stakeholders. The Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI) has over the years involved stakeholders in development of research via a public participation process implemented through the Eco-region Research Consultative Committee (ERCC) meetings (formerly termed CRACs). During the ERCC meetings, KEFRI engages directly with stakeholders, capturing their input for subsequent decision making in forestry research and development activities. The ERCC meetings are held annually at each Eco-regional Research Programme. Output from the ERCCs are later considered in prioritization, allocation of funds, and subsequent drawing of the Institute Research & Development workplans. The process of ERCC meetings and its role in KEFRI research has however not been documented. This Policy therefore documents the ERCC meetings as a public participation forum applied by KEFRI in Research and Development. This policy document covers the following aspects: overall Public Participation Process; Justification for the Policy; the Pre- and full Eco-region Research Consultative Committee (ERCC) meetings; key stakeholders to be involved in the ERCC meetings; and expected deliverables. This document also indicates possibility for review of the policy. It is anticipated that continued use of ERCC meetings as a participatory forum for engaging stakeholders will continue to ensure relevance of research in forestry and allied natural resources, and will lead to greater acceptance and adoption of the research outputs, technologies, and information products to enhance socio-economic development of our country.