The (new) role of public forest administration in Western Balkans: examples from Serbia, Croatia, FYR Macedonia, and Republika Srpska

Abstract

Public forest administrations in the Western Balkans were challenged when facing novel forest policies following the breakup of Yugoslavia in the 1990s. To answer (i) what (formal) goals lead public forest administrations nowadays and (ii) how do public forest administrations fulfil these goals, we evaluated the implementation of forest policy goals in Serbia, Croatia, FYR Macedonia, and Republika Srpska by using existing criteria and indicators and the 3L model as a theoretical basis. Survey and document analyses focused on the effects observable in state and private forests. In state forests, all public or state forest enterprises were able to reach goals of multifunctionality and profitablity by prioritizing marketable goods. Sustaining forest stands is important, but it is met differently in practice. Performance in private forests is much weaker and the influence of ministry departments or sectors is weak. In conclusion, the potential for a new, stronger role of public forest administration exists: (i) the supply of marketable and nonmarketable goods could be increased, whereas securing sustained forest stands remains a permanent challenge; (ii) efficiency and profits could be improved if internal and external pressures grow; and (iii) joining forces of forestry actors could strengthen the currently weak political role and enable a strong forestry representative to emerge in the future.

Optimizing State Forest Institutions for Forest People: A Case Study on Social Sustainability from Tunisia

“…The main challenge related to the use of the 3L-model is the operationalization of indicators to measure the performance of the forest administration in different contexts. This model was applied in several contexts, including selected Western Balkan countries, Poland and Brazil [17,19,20]. However, some indicators were not applicable for this case study and needed to be adapted.…”

“…Some indicators may vary depending on the type of tasks fulfilled by the institution evaluated (authority or management tasks) or on a particular characteristic of the institution as determined through fieldwork and document analysis. The three-layer model (3L-Model): designing criteria (C) and indicators (I) for a comprehensive evaluation of state forest institutions [16,17].…”

“…The theoretical basis of the criteria was detailed earlier [15,16]. The 3L-model makes explicit the link to the political debate, theory and empirical evidence, whereas most other comprehensive evaluation methods, e.g., the criteria and indicators by Forest Europe, are based on expert judgments that mingle all aspects together [17]. This way they risk losing the link to politics as well as to scientific arguments.…”

“…The three-layer model (3L-Model): designing criteria (C) and indicators (I) for a comprehensive evaluation of state forest institutions[16,17].…”

Water-Related Payment Schemes for Forest Ecosystem Services in Selected Southeast European (SEE) Countries

“…Republic of Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H), Republic of Slovenia and Republic of Serbia were selected because they have long been part of the same political system, even part of the same country (Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia). They all have strong and well-developed forestry sectors [48], a similar understanding of the importance of natural resources and are rich in good quality water [49][50][51][52]. Currently, Croatia and Slovenia are EU members; Serbia is a candidate country and B&H is a potential candidate [53].…”