Acknowledging Our Generous Supporters

CIFOR is highly indebted to numerous countries, institutions and individuals whose support is vital for the centre’s work. Foremost among those who deserve a large share of the credit for CIFOR’s achievements are the partner institutions and scientists in the developing countries where CIFOR is engaged inresearch.

     These partners bring major resources, intellectual capacity and local knowledge to bear on problems of tropical forests and the communities they serve—making CIFOR truly a ‘centre without walls’.

     Several institutions have provided particularly strong support in recent years as CIFOR established its regional offices: EMBRAPA in Brazil, the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture in Cameroon, and in Zimbabwe, the University of Zimbabwe and its Institute of Environmental Studies.

     Major recognition—and thanks—is also due to the governments and organisations that provide generous financial support. Since CIFOR was established in 1993, its total funding has grown steadily. In 2000, the top 10 donors to CIFOR were the European Commission, Germany, the International Fund for Agricultural Development, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, the United Kingdom, the United States and the World Bank.

      CIFOR receives funds in two streams: institutional funding, which currently makes up nearly half of the annual budget, and targeted funding for specific projects. In the early years of CIFOR, the bulk of its budget was unrestricted; over time, financial support has increasingly shifted toward targeted funding. These two funding streams are complementary, and both are essential for CIFOR tooperate.

      Institutional funds provided the flexibility CIFOR needed early on to develop its fledgling programme. This kind of funding has benefited all of CIFOR’s main research programmes and is critical for the centre’s basic operations. It enables CIFOR to undertake new activities until long-term funding has been identified, while targeted money provides added resources to tackle particular problems of concern. This combined funding has been indispensable for CIFOR to expand its work into the major tropical regions, increase capacity building in developing countries, strengthen the dissemination of scientific knowledge and provide expertise on forestry issues to international policy making processes.

      CIFOR pledges to maintain its track record of responsible stewardship of the financial resources it receives, and thanks its many donors for continuing to provide the funds that make it possible for the centre to fulfill itsmission.

Japan and CIFOR: An Enduring Partnership

Since CIFOR was established in 1993, Japan has been one its most committed partners in working to promote sustainable forest management in developing countries. Having a member from Japan on CIFOR’s Board of Trustees from the beginning has solidified that relationship.

      Japan has a strong commitment to forestry, which is rooted in the national culture. The Japanese people treasure their forests not only as a source of material needs but also for spiritual benefits and social values. At home, Japan has an exemplary record of sustainable management and use of its forests, and shares its knowledge and technology in this area with developing countries.

      Japan has consistently been one of the leading sources of funds for CIFOR, particularly for institutional funding. This has been especially important in giving CIFOR the flexibility needed to build a core scientific staff and a solid research programme with activities in many countries and the international community. Japan has also provided targeted funding to support research in specific areas.

      To complement these financial contributions, CIFOR is working to increase direct scientific cooperation with Japan’s forest research community. Initiatives are expected to include reciprocal exchange visits by scientists, student internships and more forestry project partnerships in developing countries.

       Plans are also underway to better inform scientists in Japan about CIFOR and its work. Says Shigeo Kobayashi, who coordinates overseas research at the Japan Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute: ‘There are many in Japan who would like to cooperate with CIFOR if only they knew more about it. I therefore look forward to seeing CIFOR active at selected events of the Japanese forestry community’. Kobayashi was recently named a CIFOR Affiliate Scientist in recognition of his contributions to tropical forestry research and his role in improving the CIFOR-Japan partnership.

Donors
Schedule of Grant Revenue
For the years ended 31 December 2000 and 1999
(US $’000)

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