Willingness to contribute to collective forest management: Evidence from Godere in the Gambela Region of Ethiopia

This paper examines factors determining willingness to contribute to collective forest management at Godere Forest Priority Area in the Gambela Region of Ethiopia. Using data collected from 160 households, we tested a number of hypotheses. Results show that households that perceived destruction, a belief in beneficiaries’ responsibility for the forest management, participation in social institutions and governing council favorably determine willingness to contribute. Nevertheless, users’ characteristics (age, group membership, income from the forest) had negative effect on willingness. State-driven development and settlers’ activities had negatively affected indigenous people's use of forest, leading to a reduction in their willingness. This suggests the need to put effective property rights in place to cause a shift in users’ behavior.

► Perception of forest condition, accountability feeling and participation experience positively affect willingness to contribute to forest management. ► Age, group membership and forest income negatively affect willingness. ► State-based property rights and diverse but contested land use systems undermine cooperation among different ethnic groups.