The Sawlog Production Grant Scheme, Phase III (SPGS III) provides financial grants and technical support to commercial tree planters, rural communities, public and private institutions, as a means of promoting investment in commercial tree planting and increasing income of rural populations. SPGS III targets establishment of close to 31 500 hectares of commercial forest plantations by 2020; 25 000 hectares by private individuals and companies, 4 000 hectares by small holder community groups and 2 500 hectares of fuelwood plantations by government and public institutions.

The scaling up actions support the development of 3,000 ha of high-quality wood energy plantations of high calorific value established and supported by 2025. Efforts will be made to promote establishment of 3,000 ha of wood energy plantation sufficient to bridge the supply gap and special attention will be given to species of unique characteristics such as fast growing, of high calorific value, easy propagation in nurseries and with excellent water catchment restoration potential that will be incorporated for restoring fragile ecosystems.

The project also supports the streamline marketing of forest products including issues of grading and export. Grantees who undertake SFM activities will be supported to access international markets, where they would achieve value for money for their products. This component focuses on support and advocacy for Forest Certification across 400 SPGS beneficiaries by 2025. Finally, the scale up actions will also support the government to develop/review and revise two forestry-related policies and strategies to achieve Sustainable development by 2025. Forestry standards include but not limited to forest products like charcoal, timber, poles.

SPGS III is built on a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model based on the principle of co-investment by both the beneficiary and the Project. The Project pays the beneficiary a conditional and retrospective grant (subsidy) after the latter has made an initial investment in commercial tree planting. The governing body of SPGS III is the Project Steering Committee.

FAO Uganda (UN/Multilateral body) Ministry of Water and Environment of Uganda (Government), European Union (UN /Multilateral body), National Forestry Authority of Uganda (Government), Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development of Uganda (Government) Uganda Timber Growers’ Association (Private sector), Private sector partners (Private sector)