Community forest management projects have been implemented in various parts of Africa to balance conservation efforts with local livelihood needs. A mixed-methods approach combining qualitative interviews and quantitative surveys was employed to gather comprehensive data from community members across different sites. Findings indicate a significant increase (35%) in income generation activities associated with forest management projects compared to baseline levels, suggesting improved economic opportunities for local populations. The mixed-methods study highlights the potential of well-designed community-based forestry initiatives in enhancing socioeconomic conditions within targeted regions. Policy makers should consider scaling up such projects and integrating them into broader rural development strategies to maximise their benefits.
Al-Nahas et al. (Fri,) studied this question.