This manual describes the key elements of Participatory Forest Management (PFM). The methods to promote the wide involvement of all sectors of the community were developed and adapted for the Ethiopian context during a ten-year period of learning. The manual aims to describe the various approaches which were used to ensure full participation by all stakeholders. It can be used as a training manual and field guide and is intended for both community forest managers and forestry professionals.

The manual is set out as sequential Guide Sheets so that the user can make easy and quick reference to specific steps and topics in the PFM process.

It contains the following information.

• A guide to the steps of PFM.
• Advice and assistance in the recognition of relevant stakeholders.
• Options for forest management institutions, their establishment, and support.
• Options for technical field methods involved in the three key stages of PFM: Investigation, Negotiation, and Implementation.
• Templates for key documents in PFM including the Participatory Forest Resource Assessment (PFRA) data forms and report format, the Forest Management Plan, and the Forest Management Agreement.

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FARM-Africa website on 18 June 2007.