Community-Based Payment for Forest Environmental Services: A Study in Vietnam

The implementation of the Payment for Forest Environmental Services (PFES) strategy is increasingly being adopted through community-based initiatives globally. Nonetheless, the comprehension of such community-based PFES remains considerably limited. This investigation delves into the community-based PFES, scrutinizing the impact of local community involvement in PFES financial management mechanisms on the efficacy of this policy at the community level. Conducted in Dien Bien province, Vietnam, this study employed Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) techniques alongside household surveys. The findings indicate that the community-based PFES is operational with efficacy. It engenders motivation and fosters communal engagement in concerted forest conservation endeavors. Moreover, the pillars of self-administration, equitable distribution of benefits, and robust oversight are pivotal in determining the triumph of this policy approach.