Community-government, and private partnership (CGPP): revisiting the concept of community-based forest management

Abstract

The Community-Based Forest Management (CBFM) model has been seen as a potential solution to solve various problems related to forest degradation and the creation of inclusive forest governance. However, in practice, CBFM does not always implement smoothly, with some studies highlighting the weaknesses of CBFM in term of accountability, transparency, efficiency, effectiveness, empowerment, monitoring, law enforcement, and dependency on external actors. Accordingly, this paper revisits the concept of CBFM from the perspective of New Institutional Economics and the proper governance concept. The data collection process was conducted through literature studies using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) methodology. It may be argued that the implementation of CBFM has weaknesses in terms of, amongst other things, business and organizational activities, inclusivity, community empowerment, community income, and sustainability. In reference to the various flaws encountered in the implementation of CBFM, and to put in place proper governance in forest business activities, this paper proposes a new model – the so-called Community-Government and Private Partnership model (CGPP). This developed model has positioned the cooperative as "core institutions" whose role is to orchestrate five main governance functions, namely: organizational, business activities, human resource development, and corporate and environmental sustainability. This CGPP model is expected to contribute to the existing literature of institutional analysis and forest management with a different approach, as well providing concrete recommendations for the implementation of the CGPP model in CBFM.