Forestry Joining Integrated Programmes? A question of willingness, ability and opportunities

Abstract

Policy integration and cross-sectoral programmes are discussed as means to better achieve the endeavour of sustainable development. Lately, political programmes, such as integrated rural development (IRD) funding schemes emerge taking an integrated, inter-sectoral approach. In Germany forestry, however, so far has been observed to only play a minor role in IRD. In this article we seek an answer to the fundamental question of why forestry actors only play a minor role in such integrated programmes? The article theoretically reveals that sectors tend to avoid being coordinated by sector-external entities and programmes. Our case study indicates that forestry as a sector, shows abstract as well as active resistance against external attempts of integrated coordination. In the rare cases where the sector opens up towards integrated programmes, however, forestry actors lack the ability, resources as well as institutional preconditions for cooperation. Lastly, the agricultural bias of formally integrative programmes causes refusal among forestry actors. These findings lead us to the conclusion that forestry participation in integrated programmes is a question of willingness and specific utility as well as of ability in terms of institutions and resources. However, the existence of truly integrated programmes is a prerequisite, which policy makers still need to deliver.