The document discusses several key challenges regarding community forests in the Congo Basin. It notes that community forests are important for cultural and social purposes but that clear definitions of "community" vary between countries. The procedures for obtaining community forest rights are often long, complex, and costly. There are also issues around determining appropriate forest area sizes, respecting the rights of indigenous groups, and handling other natural resources found within community forest boundaries. The document calls for conceptualizing "communitarian forest exploitation" that respects collective rights and meets communities' various needs.

1. Community forests in the Congo Basin: Few key challenges and available lessons Par Dr. Albert K. Barume Paper presented at the conference on Taking stock of smallholders and community forest,Montpellier/France, 24-26 March 2010