Advocacy for Forest Protection Against Illegal Logging: Removing Legal Barriers for Efficiency

Project Goal:
to strengthen the impact of civil society on the development and implementation of state forest protection policies through an advocacy campaign aimed at improving criminal legislation, increasing transparency, ensuring a unified approach to recording illegal logging, and enhancing collaboration between civil society organizations and law enforcement agencies.

Project Objectives:

• Conduct an advocacy campaign focused on improving forestry legislation and protecting citizens from potential prosecution for domestic heating purposes;

• Initiate the implementation of unified reporting standards for illegal logging and establish consistent monitoring methodologies for all forest users regardless of ownership type or jurisdiction, enabling objective assessment of the problem's scale at the national level;

• Strengthen cooperation between civil society organizations and law enforcement through training sessions, experience exchange, and the development of joint communication mechanisms, thereby increasing the effectiveness of investigations and law enforcement related to illegal logging;

• Raise awareness among the public and key government institutions about the negative impacts of illegal logging, the role of civic oversight, and the need for legislative reforms through an information campaign, media engagement, and public events.
  
  

Direct project beneficiaries include volunteers, NGOs, central executive authorities and other national-level institutions, local government officials, community residents, entrepreneurs, professional groups, and the whole population of Ukraine.

Expected Project Impact:

• Strengthened democratic processes in forest policy through establishing a sustainable cooperation mechanism between civil society, law enforcement agencies, government bodies, and forest users to combat illegal logging.

• Improved law enforcement in forest protection through enhanced criminal legislation, implementation of unified violation recording procedures, and strengthened role of expert analysis in investigations.

• Strengthened participation of communities and non-governmental organizations in policy development processes by ensuring open access to data, mechanisms for influencing decision-making, and awareness of forest control and protection tools.

Expected Project Results:

• Established an independent mechanism for detecting and documenting illegal logging using remote sensing data, open registries, and ground verification. Generated at least 5 cases based on collected data and submitted them to law enforcement.

• Utilized timber origin identification procedures (including botanical and wood science expertise) to provide technical support for at least 5 criminal proceedings related to illegal logging.

• Increased awareness among the public, local authorities, and forest users about the scale of illegal logging, response methods, the role of public oversight, and requirements for transparent forest management through information campaigns, media outreach, and training programs.

• Developed and submitted legislative proposals for improving forestry legislation, unified reporting standards, and methodological approaches for illegal logging monitoring.

• Ensured access for NGOs, activists, and civic initiatives to advocacy processes and policy development, including participation in regulatory drafting, roundtable discussions, petition submissions, and expert collaboration with government bodies.

The project is being implemented by NGO «ForestCom» with the support of the Askold and Dir Fund as a part of the Strong Civil Society of Ukraine - a Driver towards Reforms and Democracy project, implemented by ISAR Ednannia, funded by Norway and Sweden. The project is the sole responsibility of NGO «ForestCom» and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the Government of Norway, the Government of Sweden and ISAR Ednannia.