Introduction

Federation of Community Forestry Users Nepal (FECOFUN), a formal network of Forest Users Groups (FUGs) from all over Nepal was established in June, 1995 with the goal of promoting and protecting the forest users’ rights through capacity strengthening, economic empowerment, sustainable natural resource management, technical support, policy advocacy, good governance and learning sharing of best practices. FECOFUN emerged from the idea that forest users from all parts of the country should be linked in order to strengthen the role of users in policy making processes. Since its inception, FECOFUN has grown into a social movement organization with about 14 million forest users. As of now, 22,415 community forestry user groups (CFUGs) covering 2.9 million households have been federated into FECOFUN, and are protecting more than 2.3 million hectares of forests. Apart from this, other Community Based Forest Management Groups (such as leasehold forestry groups, religious forestry groups, buffer zone and traditional forest management groups) in Nepal are also affiliated with FECOFUN.
As Nepal underwent federalism, the network of FECOFUN extended across the country in 7 provinces, 77 districts and 555 local levels. Around 15,000 members were elected across FECOFUN chapters through an inclusive democratic process that encompassed all regions, indigenous peoples, minority groups, people with disabilities, and the ultra-poor, ensuring 50 percent women’s representation, including in key positions.

Goal

To develop means of livelihoods and to generate opportunities to reduce poverty through sustainable management of forest and utilization of resources, abiding by the approach of consensus in decision making. And, to emphasize the participation of all sections of community and ethnic groups in policy decisions and its implementation through CFUGs to uphold the values of good governance, empowerment, self-respect, self-reliance and the approaches of consensus.

Mission

To promote and protect the rights of community forest users through capacity strengthening, economic empowerment, sustainable resource management, technical support, advocacy, policy development, and national and international networking and to uphold the values of inclusive democracy, gender balance, and social justice.

Vision

Self-reliance and empowerment of community forest users, through the application of social and economic justice in the equitable use and sustainable management of community forests.